| Pages:
1
2 |
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Insect stings and bites
Since childhood have been stung and bitten numerous times with never any kind of reaction. This includes bees,wasps,black widows, our black spring
bumblebees, scorpions and stingrays. Last summer I got stung on the wrist by a little honeybee and the following day my arm swelled up to make me look
like Popey. After 3 days, it only got worse. Went to doctor and was told that I had an allergic reaction. Got Flanax against the swelling, which
didn't seem to do much good. Than, about 3 weeks ago, I got stung again by the same kind of bee, and at about the same spot. Took my Flanax right
away, but the following week the arm this time swelled up twice its size ,all the way from shoulder to fingers. And at the sting site I developed a 4
x 4 spot with huge blisters. The med book says to have a eprinephine shot to counteract the reaction, but haven't been able to find it. The
pharmacist, after consulting with a doctor, gave me Celestone (Betametasone) with Cloro Trimeton pills for follow up. Hate like hell to get stung
anywhere near my neck and have this stuff not work. Seems dangerous. So, the reason for this epistle is to see if any of you Nomads had a similar
experience and maybe can give me some advice.
|
|
|
Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
Vandenberg:
Check out the thread "Just a heads up reminder for us with children"
I had a real scare with my middle child. Info. for you there.
|
|
|
Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
|
|
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=11523#pid9083...
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
 |
|
|
Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks Bruce, wish I could do that!
|
|
|
Dianamo
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 12-27-2005
Location: SF Bay Area, CA when not in El Cardonal
Member Is Offline
Mood: ...still in Baja
|
|
Soooo, Epi Pens
Can we get'em Baja farmacias?
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Diana
Like I said Epi must be short for Epinephrine, and the pharmacist, here in Loreto ,had no idea what I was talking about. I need to know if this
Celestone she gave me at the doctors advice, will be of any use.
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
And Bruce, thanks for that thread referal.
|
|
|
Dianamo
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 12-27-2005
Location: SF Bay Area, CA when not in El Cardonal
Member Is Offline
Mood: ...still in Baja
|
|
Keep us posted on your recovery!
we hope that you are feeling much better soon! ......and thank you for letting us know what you find out about the Epinephrine pens.
Thanks,
Diana
|
|
|
Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
|
|
Van, see if any of your Mexican friends will part with or go get you some Guaco. It's a roadside weed that grows north of and south of La Paz (San
Pedro por ejemplo). You just crush it, put it in a jar of Tequila or Mezcal, put it under the sink. INSTANT RELIEF for anything that gets you on the
skin. Bitachis and avispas got me good, kicked my butt but now, No Worries with Guaco.
|
|
|
neilm
Junior Nomad
Posts: 65
Registered: 10-25-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
do you...
put it on the sting, or in the patient, for that instant releif?
Neil
| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Van, see if any of your Mexican friends will part with or go get you some Guaco. It's a roadside weed that grows north of and south of La Paz (San
Pedro por ejemplo). You just crush it, put it in a jar of Tequila or Mezcal, put it under the sink. INSTANT RELIEF for anything that gets you on the
skin. Bitachis and avispas got me good, kicked my butt but now, No Worries with Guaco. |
|
|
|
oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
Like I said Epi must be short for Epinephrine, and the pharmacist, here in Loreto ,had no idea what I was talking about. I need to know if this
Celestone she gave me at the doctors advice, will be of any use. |
Epinephrine (adrenaline) actually reverses or blocks an allergic reaction and it's the only medication that will do so.
Histamine is the chemical that's released by the body's cells in response to an allergen ( stings, medications, foods etc) and histamine is
responsible for most of the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness etc.
Anti- histamines like Benadryl will reduce the symptoms in mild to moderate allergic reactions and may be all that is needed to make you comfortable
until the reaction subsides.
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening allergic reaction where the exposure to an allergen (shellfish, nuts, and stings are the biggies) results in the
release of proteins and chemicals that cause generalized swelling and the severe dilation of blood vessels. That swelling (from the release of
histamine) is what can make an airway close off to the point of complete obstruction. The overwhelming dilation of the body's arteries will result in
extremely low blood pressure and inefficient delivery of blood and oxygen to the cells. Anaphylaxis is actually a type of Shock and
has the same outcome as the Shock from severe blood loss- not enough blood volume or pressure to meet the body's needs.
Severe allergic reactions are treated with Epi to block the reaction, and then an anti-histamine to reduce symptoms such as swelling. Benadryl
alone will not prevent the circulatory collapse of anaphylactic shock and it does not reverse an allergic reaction.
The Celestone you were given Vandenberg, is a type of steroid which will reduce inflammation- in your case the swelling which was caused by the
release of all the histamine when you were stung. Celestone was an appropriate treatment for your inflammatory response, but it will
not block an allergic reaction and it has no effect on the release of histamine.
Oladulce, R.N.
|
|
|
oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
|
|
I found this article on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology site:
9/28/05
Epinephrine auto injector availability
Summary
Background - Epinephrine auto injectors such as Epi Pen or Twinject are frequently prescribed to be carried by those with severe food allergies or
other allergies with potential for anaphylactic reactions.
Findings - ... This group surveyed representatives of 39 countries who were members of the World Allergy Organization. They found that epinephrine
auto injectors are widely available in the USA, Western Europe, Canada, Israel, South Africa and Australia.
Epinephrine auto injectors are not available in Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador,
Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia or Indonesia.
In some countries, only the adult dose Epi Pen is available. In some European countries, other epinephrine kits (not auto injectors) may be available.
Editor's Comments
It is not clear why epinephrine auto injectors are not available in some countries that have generally advanced medical facilities/systems (at least
for those who can afford it). These findings should prompt physicians to alert their patients who carry epinephrine auto injectors to carry an extra
supply of adequately dated units with them on any trip to countries that may have no or limited supplies available.
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Oladulce
Thanks. You have answered my question. Doesn't look like my case is one of anaphalyctic shock, so this Celestone should do the trick. Thanks again.
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
EpiPen for adults - (Epinephrine) Auto-Injector 0.3mg
They are widely available in California with a doctor's prescription. Cost is minimal, and they are formulary drugs (covered by insurance) for both
Kaiser Permanente and Medi-Care members. Do not refrigerate these devices, and be sure to check the expiration date - it is important here.
Seems to me they should become a part of any basic first aid kit. They save lives.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
My son has been stung too often and now will get a case of anaphylactic shock if stung by a bee. He has an 'epi pen' at school and home to self dose
if he gets stung. I checked with a farmacia in Baja, and they have never heard of this... even searched their drug books... Benadryl only...
[Edited on 2-10-2006 by David K]
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Might just make a note here that it is a good idea to carry a bottle of Tea Tree Oil (Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia) with you when hiking or in your
vehicle... The oil has been documented to neutrilize venom, as well as being a powerful antiseptic for cuts... A one ounce bottle is about $9 at many
natural food/vitamin stores... Henry's, Sprouts, etc. There is a direct marketing company called Melaleuca Inc. that has many products containg tea
tree oil, as well... The oil comes from the leaves of a specific variety of melaleuca tree in Australia.
It is a great treatment for sunburn, as well.
|
|
|
longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
VANDENBERG
There's a lot of information on the internet about wasp, bee & insect stings/bites. Some of the sites are more detailed than others, just do a
search for wasp or bee stings. For starters, you can go look at:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2076.html
I've been stung by bees & wasps many times during my life time, always had a localized reaction...UNTIL I was stung by a small
swarm of wasps out near La Ribera (sp?). I was stung several places on both hands & fingers, but one sting was directly into a vein on the back
of my hand. It was late in the day & the only farmacia I could find was closed; thankfully I was able to find track down the owner & they
sold me some strong oral antihistimine & a topical ointment; those two items saved my life! It was raining & what would have normally been an
hour's drive back to La Paz took more than 6 hours because of the rain fillled arroyos. I was admitted to Fidipaz Hospital & kept on IV's for 24
hours. I started carrying Benedryl & Andantol in my car.
Approximately a year later, I was stung on the back of my tongue drinking from a can of iced tea...having the Benedryl with me & getting it into
my system within 5 minutes of the sting saved my life...I got to Fidipaz Hospital within 45-60 minutes & was immediately put on IV's and kept on
them for 24 hours.
A bee sting in my pool about 6-8 months ago resulted in a huge, but localized reaction for which I took Benedryl & used Andantol & monitored
myself for light headedness & dizziness.
Everyone's reaction can be different, based on what nails you & how many times you've been stung, but with wasps, the reaction gets worse with
each subsequent sting, even years apart. The information I've found on the internet says that bee stings aren't supposed to have that
cumulative effect...but do bees read those kinda rules on the internet?
A "home remedy" that I've found that works great for me personally is to put bleach on any bug bite site, it really minimizes my localized reaction
for mosquito/ant bites; I think it neutralizes the toxin if you can get it on immediately.
I keep a bottle of Benedryl & a tube of Andantol both in my car & at home...but if it's a wasp sting, I self-dose & IMMEDIATELY head for
the hospital.
Read up on it; better to be safe than sorry; it could save your life!
[Edited on 2-10-2006 by longlegsinlapaz]
|
|
|
Dianamo
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 12-27-2005
Location: SF Bay Area, CA when not in El Cardonal
Member Is Offline
Mood: ...still in Baja
|
|
Tea Tree Oil
I have used Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) for years! It is great. I just bought a new 2 oz. bottle at "The Politically Incorrect Big Box"
store for $4.99. A bargain compared to what I have had to pay in the past. Hope I don't offend anyone by shopping there!
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Nomads,
One more question. Does Benadryl come in different varieties and dosages?
In this case, which one is recommended ?
|
|
|
longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have two different bottles at the moment....one is actually Benadryl-D for children; active ingredient is Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 12.5
mg....recommended dosage for children 6 - 12 is 1 teaspoon....over 12 & adults is 2 teaspoons.
The other is a Rite Aid brand same active ingredient, same potency; the difference being that the adult dosage is 2-4 teaspoons.
I don't carry a spoon in the car, nor do I use one at home....I use the "swig" method!! I mark the level in the bottle between each use & take
the bottle with me to ER so they know what I've got in my system already & how much. I would guesstimate that my "swig" is the equivalent of 4
teaspoons. I'm 5'10" & 160 pounds & that's worked to keep me alive twice; albeit in various stages of anaphalacic shock; to get to the
hospital. To me, getting it in my body is more important than taking the time to get a teaspoon to accurately measure out a dosage! 
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
