Red Wasp Smackdown II: "Mano a Mano"

[Richardo]

I was up on the roof over the weekend (blowing off the pine needles, don'tcha know) and ran into a representative from the local wood wasps nest again. I thought I was giving them ample leeway, but I guess I got into the local 'no-go' zone for humans. (They should post better signs.)

Anyway, as I was walking along the roof I felt an small impact on the back of my neck and instinctively swatted it. The subsequent feeling of a red-hot knitting needle in my right index finger gave me a hint as to the identity of the culprit.

My finger now has the size, shape and dexterity of a Ball Park Frank (They plump when you sting 'em!). I thought the swelling would have gone down in 24 hours, but no. The strange part is the internal itching. :crazy:

[Shell Beau]

1. Red wasps are viscious!

I have been stung so many times by them. It is part of living in the south. They hurt, too! I got stung 12 times at once before. I was so swollen. I hope your finger feels better.

[NewJeffCT]

2. maybe you should have it looked at?

the last time I got stung, I felt no pain at all, but my whole arm turned red, with a darker red near the sting site. I called the doctor's office to see if there was anything I could take over the counter & they actually told me to come in immediately so the doctor could look at it...

I think she ended up prescribing two medicines, but I forgot what (it was in 1998, I think)

[Shell Beau]

3. Some people are much more allergic and

have to go to the doctor.

[Richardo]

4. I don't have any allergies that I know of...

...but the fingertip is pretty red. I'm on Benadryl to knock down the histamines. :boring:

[Shell Beau]

5. I think you're fine! I have never gone to doctor

for a wasp sting. If I were extremely allergic, then I would go. But Benadryl should do the trick!

[XNASA]

6. I too was targeted and stung twice yesterday.

But not by red-wasps.

It was a couple of Paper Wasps that got me. Once on the RH pinkie, and once on my right forearm. I was looking for something out in the shed and came upon a nest.

No swelling today. I put some liquid benedryl on the stings and took an allergy capsule. My arm is a little stiff today, but I'm OK.

Your injury sounds much nastier than mine.