How can I tell the swelling from an allergy? | Swelling after a wasp sting

How can I tell the swelling from an allergy?

A normal reaction to a wasp sting is a localized redness and swelling accompanied by pain and itching. The swelling usually goes down slowly from about 24 hours after the event. Such a normal reaction of the body to a wasp sting is to be distinguished from excessive reactions of the immune system.

An overreaction of the immune system is called an allergy. The immune system reacts more strongly than it should and various allergic symptoms occur. The maximum variant of such an overreaction of the immune system is the so-called allergic or anaphylactic shock.

This can occur in people with an insect venom allergy after a wasp sting. Shortly after the wasp sting, there can be a strong swelling in the area of the sting. This can be accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, diarrhoea and vomiting, and circulatory problems such as a drop in blood pressure or even complete circulatory failure.

If the first signs of an exaggerated allergic reaction appear, the emergency medical services should be informed immediately or a doctor should be consulted. The doctor will then administer appropriate emergency medication. Known insect venom allergy sufferers usually carry an emergency kit with them, which contains appropriate medication.

These must then be administered by the affected person himself or by those present. In addition to this maximum variant of the allergic reaction, a locally limited overreaction of the immune system can also occur. This overreaction can be shown by the fact that the area of the sting swells and reddens very strongly and far beyond the area of the sting. In such a situation, it may be helpful to take anti-allergic medication to contain the allergic reaction and cause a rapid reduction in swelling and redness.

  • Allergic reaction to a mosquito bite
  • How do you recognize an allergy to a mosquito bite?

At which parts of the body does the swelling become particularly severe?

If there is a normal reaction after a wasp sting, the swelling is usually localized and rather small. However, depending on which part of the body is affected, the swelling can be felt as more or less severe. For example, if the eyelid is affected, even a slight swelling can be very noticeable as vision can be limited.

Also swellings in the area of the oral mucosa or tongue can be felt as very unpleasant and large. If there is no excessive allergic reaction, the extent of the swelling does not usually differ from body part to body part.