Stung by a giant hornet

On Wednesday morning I was feeding Bonaparte separately from the others as usual, when I felt something on my jeans. I stood up and sort of automatically brushed it off, when I felt a horrible sting. Looking down, there was this giant hornet on the floor. My little finger was already swelling up. I couldn't find my anti-histamine (and I didn't have strong ones anyway) so I ran to a neighbour and asked to go to the pharmacy. The tablets she gave me knocked me out for the rest of the day, but I woke feeling better though with swelling up to the elbow. 48 hours later my arm is OK but the finger is still sore, though I can drive and type again. I am very allergic to stings, so was a bit scared, but all is well. I don't know how it got in the house - the screens are closed and I certainly did not notice it when I opened the door. But I think it was retribution - last weekend there was a swarm of wasps outside, some of whom got into the house through tiny gaps in the screen sides. I must have killed hundreds of them with a spray, and then next day they had all vanished. I reckon the God of Wasps sent the hornet to torment me!

Ouch! It was lucky your neighbor was around to help. Can you have your doctor prescribe an EpiPen for emergencies? We used to always have one on hand when we had a dog that was allergic to bee and wasp stings, and it saved his life a couple of times.

Benedryl liquid is also very good to have on hand. Medics will tell you to drink 1/2 or the whole bottle when anaphylaxis is a possibility. Speak with your healthcare provider about this (obviously) and follow up with 911 during an emergency.

I'm glad you are doing a bit better. I was also going to suggest an EpiPen.

It was my fault I didn't have the meds to hand. I used to keep stuff for stings all the time as I know I am allergic. But I had not had one in ages and I got complacent. Anyway, I am now prepared. My finger is still swollen and itchy but I feel all right.

How are you doing today ?