Delayed Reaction to Sting?

The15thMember · June 29, 2019, 06:50:52 PM

My 12 year old sister was stung between her toes on Sunday afternoon. My 14 year old sister took care of it for her, pulled the stinger out, and put some meat tenderizer on it right away. She had pain at the site and a little redness, but nothing else. Then on Tuesday morning her throat started feeling a little funny. She ignored it all day, but by evening it was still there, and she said something about it. She was having no trouble breathing, nothing at all severe, but described it as her throat feeling "tight". She said it had been feeling like that on and off all day; it was not consistent, but came and went. We didn't even think about the sting, since she'd had no reaction, but it seemed like an allergy thing since she was having no other symptoms, so she took some Benadryl. For the past few days she's been feeling like this. Let me again stress that this is not severe; she can talk, eat, and breath normally, this is slight swelling of her throat, which has continued on and off from Tuesday morning and it still going on now. She has been taking Benadryl at night, just so she doesn't have to worry about it, but she goes all day without taking anything and it doesn't get better or worse. She has no food allergies that we know of. She does have a pretty strong pollen allergy, and has been feeling that lately, but it's respiratory, and doesn't normally affect her throat. Then today she noticed that the sting site is now widely red and itchy. It is not swollen, but it is a little warm. Now of course we are thinking that her throat issue may be from the sting. It's just weird that the site didn't react until almost a week later. Has anyone had any similar experiences like this?

BeeMaster2 · June 29, 2019, 08:34:50 PM

Member,
Hopefully Kathy will pipe up and correct me if I?m wrong but I do not think that this could bee a reaction to a sting from a week ago.
I had a severe reaction to Gasex. They held me for 24 hours and then let me go home.
Jim Altmiller

iddee · June 29, 2019, 10:33:12 PM

Our pollen count is high here in NC, so I agree with Jim. It's likely just breathing pollen in different areas as she moves around during the day.

The15thMember · June 30, 2019, 01:06:34 AM

Thanks for the replies, you two. After talking to her about times when it?s worse and better throughout the day, it?s seems like it may be worse when she?s outside, so you?re probably right about the pollen allergy. (She also may be having a little bit of a reverse placebo effect now, where it?s worse when she?s thinking about it.

) What I just can?t understand is what is going on with her foot? If it?s not the sting I have no idea what it is. It?s not a sunburn, nor is it a mosquito bite or chigger bite or anything like that. And it?s right where the sting was. Is it possible that her pollen allergy is somehow interacting with the sting and causing it to flair up again or something? I don?t even know if that?s possible, but just a hunch.

Ben Framed · June 30, 2019, 04:12:08 AM

Quote from: The15thMember on June 30, 2019, 01:06:34 AM
Thanks for the replies, you two. After talking to her about times when it?s worse and better throughout the day, it?s seems like it may be worse when she?s outside, so you?re probably right about the pollen allergy. (She also may be having a little bit of a reverse placebo effect now, where it?s worse when she?s thinking about it. ) What I just can?t understand is what is going on with her foot? If it?s not the sting I have no idea what it is. It?s not a sunburn, nor is it a mosquito bite or chigger bite or anything like that. And it?s right where the sting was. Is it possible that her pollen allergy is somehow interacting with the sting and causing it to flair up again or something? I don?t even know if that?s possible, but just a hunch.

The swollen and red sting area since Tuesday until now, would have and has my attention. IF it is still red and swollen and IF her throat is closed feeling tomorrow, it might be a good idea to take her to an expert. Just my humble opinion.
Phillip

PS let us know please.

iddee · June 30, 2019, 05:18:49 AM

It's just a guess, but I would suspect she didn't get quite all of the stinger out and a small infection has set in, or if the red in in lines rather than solid color. it could be blood poisoning. If streaks, she probably needs to see a doctor.

Ben Framed · June 30, 2019, 09:05:14 AM

Quote from: iddee on June 30, 2019, 05:18:49 AM
It's just a guess, but I would suspect she didn't get quite all of the stinger out and a small infection has set in, or if the red in in lines rather than solid color. it could be blood poisoning. If streaks, she probably needs to see a doctor.

✅

The15thMember · June 30, 2019, 10:06:21 AM

Quote from: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 04:12:08 AM

The swollen and red sting area since Tuesday until now, would have and has my attention. IF it is still red and swollen and IF her throat is closed feeling tomorrow, it might be a good idea to take her to an expert. Just my humble opinion.
Phillip

PS let us know please.

Phillip, you are misunderstanding me. The sting site showed no reaction until yesterday, which is why we didn?t think her throat issue was from the sting.

Quote from: iddee on June 30, 2019, 05:18:49 AM
It's just a guess, but I would suspect she didn't get quite all of the stinger out and a small infection has set in, or if the red in in lines rather than solid color. it could be blood poisoning. If streaks, she probably needs to see a doctor.

Ooh, good idea about an infection, I hadn?t thought of that. That would explain the warmth. No it is not streaky so thankfully no blood poisoning at least for the moment. I?ll investigate her foot again with infection in mind. Thanks, iddee.

Ben Framed · June 30, 2019, 10:14:55 AM

Quote from: The15thMember on June 30, 2019, 10:06:21 AM
Quote from: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 04:12:08 AM

The swollen and red sting area since Tuesday until now, would have and has my attention. IF it is still red and swollen and IF her throat is closed feeling tomorrow, it might be a good idea to take her to an expert. Just my humble opinion.
Phillip

PS let us know please.
Phillip, you are misunderstanding me. The sting site showed no reaction until yesterday, which is why we didn?t think her throat issue was from the sting.

Quote from: iddee on June 30, 2019, 05:18:49 AM
It's just a guess, but I would suspect she didn't get quite all of the stinger out and a small infection has set in, or if the red in in lines rather than solid color. it could be blood poisoning. If streaks, she probably needs to see a doctor.
Ooh, good idea about an infection, I hadn?t thought of that. That would explain the warmth. No it is not streaky so thankfully no blood poisoning at least for the moment. I?ll investigate her foot again with infection in mind. Thanks, iddee.

The two may not be related could simply be strap throat, allergy, or some other condition as far as the throat goes and partial stinger as iddee theorized ... I do not know but as I said, if symptoms are not better today a doc may not be a bad idea... let us know .
Phillip

The15thMember · June 30, 2019, 01:03:30 PM

My mom and I took a tweezers to the sting and we can confirm there is no stinger or piece of stinger still in her foot. But with the sting on the bottom of her foot and not being kept overly clean, it?s still very possible that we?re dealing with a minor infection. She?s going to take a Zyrtec for her pollen allergy, and if her throat tightness goes away then we can rule that out as having been related to the sting. Her foot does look better this morning, but she has just been laying on the floor all morning doing the Xbox, so the real test will be once she?s up and running around this afternoon to see if it?s the same as it was yesterday. I?ll keep you posted.

The15thMember · July 01, 2019, 12:08:08 AM

As I suspected, her foot became red and irritated again once she was walking around. It also started to get itchy for her today. She ended up forgetting to take the Zyrtec, but neither her throat nor her pollen allergies bothered her much today, so I think we can say that the throat thing was unrelated. If it is an infection in her foot, why would it be itchy?? The sting site itself is also not irritated looking. I don?t know guys, I?m not sure this mystery is solvable. It?s not really bothering her much, so we?re just going to wait and see how it plays out. I?ll let you know if anything else changes, and we?ll watch her more carefully next time she gets stung to see if we can find a pattern. Thanks for the responses everyone.

TheHoneyPump · July 03, 2019, 12:22:31 PM

Meat tenderizer?

The15thMember · July 03, 2019, 01:01:42 PM

Quote from: TheHoneyPump on July 03, 2019, 12:22:31 PM
Meat tenderizer?

Sorry, Claude, not sure exactly what you are asking. Are you asking if we put meat tenderizer on it? Or are you recommending that we put some more on? Or. . . what?

TheHoneyPump · July 03, 2019, 01:05:44 PM

I have never before heard of putting meat tenderizer on a sting. Wondering if that is making her foot tender. As well as how often she washes her feet?

The15thMember · July 03, 2019, 01:25:39 PM

Quote from: TheHoneyPump on July 03, 2019, 01:05:44 PM
I have never before heard of putting meat tenderizer on a sting. Wondering if that is making her foot tender. As well as how often she washes her feet?

Oh, meat tenderizer is a common sting remedy. Since the meat tenderizer breaks down proteins, it can help to break down the venom in the sting site. You only apply it right after the sting though, not continuously, and her foot didn't react strangely while the meat tenderizer was on, so I doubt that's it. As for how often she washes her feet, probably not often enough.

That's why I thought an infection was the best guess, but the site didn't look irritated. I don't know. All her symptoms are gone now, so just one of those weird things, I guess. *shrug*

van from Arkansas · July 03, 2019, 01:32:52 PM

Member, you ask about itching. When cells are injured, cuts, stings, etc histamine is released. The release of histamine causes migration of white blood cells to the injured area. The white blood cells gather in large numbers to fight the bacteria or to neutralize venom. Think of histamine as a cellular call to 911, an injured cell calling for help, the white blood cells act as police and paramedics. Histamine also produces inflammation and subsequent itch.

The release of histamine is actually produced by an antibody immunoglobulin E , IgE. Your immune system has five immunoglobulin. One is: IgM which is needed for bees stings as the M stands for memory cell in IgM. That is once a specific immunoglobulin M is produced to neutralize bee venom, the IgM can live for over 10 years. So upon a second sting, a persons body already has the IgM to neutralize the bee venom. As more stings occur, more IgM is produced and with time, most beekeepers neutralize bee venom quickly so a sting is basically completely neutralize within an hour, completely healed.

There are 5 antibodies: IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD. Not sure about the last one, been a while since I studied immunology. For beekeepers, IgM is our best buddy.

Van

The15thMember · July 03, 2019, 01:44:31 PM

Quote from: van from Arkansas on July 03, 2019, 01:32:52 PM
Member, you ask about itching. When cells are injured, cuts, stings, etc histamine is released. The release of histamine causes migration of white blood cells to the injured area. The white blood cells gather in large numbers to fight the bacteria or to neutralize venom. Think of histamine as a cellular call to 911, an injured cell calling for help, the white blood cells act as police and paramedics. Histamine also produces inflammation and subsequent itch.

The release of histamine is actually produced by an antibody immunoglobulin E , IgE. Your immune system has five immunoglobulin. One is: IgM which is needed for bees stings as the M stands for memory cell in IgM. That is once a specific immunoglobulin M is produced to neutralize bee venom, the IgM can live for over 10 years. So upon a second sting, a persons body already has the IgM to neutralize the bee venom. As more stings occur, more IgM is produced and with time, most beekeepers neutralize bee venom quickly so a sting is basically completely neutralize within an hour, completely healed.

There are 5 antibodies: IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD. Not sure about the last one, been a while since I studied immunology. For beekeepers, IgM is our best buddy.

Van

Very interesting, Van! Thank you for the information. I love learning about stuff . . . well, I was about to say, "I love learning about stuff like this", but in reality I just love learning about anything!

Ben Framed · July 03, 2019, 01:52:38 PM

It would not be a bad idea to make sure to tell her to inform you or her parents upon her next few stings, immediately, just in case she does have a sever reaction, so medical attention can be provided if necessary.
Phillip

Nock · July 03, 2019, 02:00:30 PM

This^^^^^

The15thMember · July 03, 2019, 02:11:53 PM

Quote from: Ben Framed on July 03, 2019, 01:52:38 PM
It would not be a bad idea to make sure to tell her to inform you or her parents upon her next few stings, immediately, just in case she does have a sever reaction, so medical attention can be provided if necessary.
Phillip

Great idea, Phillip. I will mention that to her. I will also tell all the kids what to do if someone were to have a severe reaction when the adults are not home.