My four-year-old grandson was stung by what we believe to be a wasp last Saturday. The site has a developed a hard core under it. He is not experiencing fever or any ill effects except for itching. I am wondering if he needs to be seen by a doctor or if it will finally go away.
Thanks to all who responded to my request. I took him to the emergency room the next morning because when he got up he had a solid red rash, like whelps, over a large area of his arm, the bite site was also a different color, and the hard knot under the bite seemed larger. The attending ER doctor diagnosed him with an insect bite (without the insect he could not say what kind of bite) and cellulitis. He prescribed antibiotics and Benadryl and said to take him to his family doctor as soon as possible, which will be Tuesday because of Monday's holiday. I'm still concerned, but hopefully the antibiotics will kick in and take care of it all. I will post again and let you know how he does. My suggestion to others is if your child gets stung or bit and the site does not go away in a normal manner, go to the doctor and at least have it looked at. I say better safe than sorry.
It'll go away. An 'itch' is actually a tiny, sharp pain, so when a cut, scratch, incision, bee sting, bug-bite, etc is healing, it itches. And everyone's system and skin is different as well as each bee sting. Some people hardly notice a bee sting while others are affected for a couple weeks. I'd use a cream or spray with benzocaine (such as Lanacane), hydrocortosone, or dyphenhydramine (Benadryl ingredient) in it.
About 30 years ago I had a wasp sting in the palm of my hand, and my mom put a paste of water and baking soda on it and then even made me drink a more diluted mixture. I have since read that the paste part made since as it help neutralize the sting, but I think the drink was for good measure. Maybe try a warm baking soda bath or soak for the area (my mom also did that for rashes and skin irritations and it always made me feel better - I do it for my kids, too). ( :
If it's not red, hot, or painful at this time, try soaking it in warm water with epsom salts (read the label for the proportions) several times a day. Then, see how it looks or what it evolves to.
(Are you sure it was a wasp/there's no stinger remaining?)
The itching/scratching will increase his chances of getting the site infected. Hopefully, soaking will help prevent it.
L.,
I would go to the Dr. and have it checked out, my friend got scratched by a stray cat and tried to treat it herself and it got infected and she finally went to the Dr. found out she had a staff (I don't think I spelled that right) infection, which could have been fatal if not treated correctly and quickly. I would suggest calling a nurseline to see what they say. Good luck, V.
Give him benadryl.
If you are really concerned, call the "on call" Dr to ask their advise.
Yes, if the hard core still hasn't gone away he should go to the doctor immediatly. My daughter had that with a fire ant bite that didn't go down and they said it was cellulitis and wanted to admitt her to the hospital as it is a VERY dangerous condition. It is especially dangerous if the site is not circular in nature and has started to spread wider or longer in only one direction. She had no fever. The site was red, hot and painful to the touch.
Have you tried Benedryl? You could also try mixing some water and baking soda. Put it on the sting sight and let is dry. If it isn't any better in a few days, I would make an appointment with the doctor.
Sounds like he is SUPER allergic. Give him benadryl
Hey, L.,
I am going to tell you what I do for my family when we get stung by any bug. We have red wasps here in TN and when they sting, it feels like a baseball bat hit you, it really hurts. Right away I put ice on it. That slows down the absorbtion of the venom and numbs it a little. Pat that dry and put on a drawing salve with a bandaid. I use icthamol or BoilEase. That drawing salve draws out the poison and takes the hurt away. Remember, that first sting will be OK, it's the second one that shows allergic reactions. I can feel for your grandson, my husband gets hard knots if he doesn't treat the sting right away. It itches and he digs at it till it is a big sore, usually infected. Try to keep the drawing salve handy.
went to the doctor last week for a similar situation with my son. cellulitis is the hard bump under the skin, for which you need the antibiotic. he suggested we use a prescription strength steriod ointment (triamcinolone) for the swelling and itching. if you can't get the steriod ointment, i've found that lesser strength over the counter hydrocortisone is helpful. personally i am not a fan of oral benadryl just because of how it makes my son feel. good luck!
I have never tried this personally but my sister and her husband swear by it. Any kind of bee or bug sting you want to get some tobacco from a cigarette or cigar, get it wet, saliva will do, and then put the wet tobacco on the sting. They have used it on their son several times and on another child at one of their sons soccer games and it works every time to help with pain and swelling. Good Luck and God Bless Jenny
I would start soaking it, you can put a cloth and wrap it in a heating pad or, fill the tub and let him soak in a deep tub, or any other way you want to do it. He might need a round of cortisone or antibiotics, but since no fever, it will eventually go away, that is the poison that is deep. But it will dissapate within time.
