lync
ArboristSite Operative
Last Thursday while clearing saplings at the edge of a small river I recieved 10-12 yellow jacket stings. I've been stung before but never that many times, and have never had any reaction. This hive was below ground and I never saw it until i disturbed it.
The reaction i had was severe. I'm posting so that should someone else get stung that they don't shrug it off as no big deal until they are sure that they are not having a reaction.
I recieved the stings to my head, face , and back. There was no indication that there was a problem for 10-15 minutes, then symptoms started. I noticed a slight wheezing as a breathed. With this we shut down and a crew member drove me a nearby hospital. Within a half hour from the time of the stings, i was having difficulty breathing, severe stomach cramps and vomiting, red hives, on my chest, also blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
The E>R> nurses were phenominal, ekg, O2, and intraveinous lines were set up in minutes. They mixed up a cocktail of drugs and gave me a shot. Within 10 minutes I felt better and slept for about 2 hours.
I'll be honest I thought I was finished. I said a few prayers while laying on the table being treated.
Iv'e been stung before 1-2 time in the legs or hands. The Dr. who treated me said that bites to the head neck and chest are more severe and are more likely to cause a reaction.
The moral of the story, treat any insect sting as a severe injury until you are sure its not. Know where the local hospital is and how to get there. Ambulance crews carry epinephrine on board, so know how to call an ambulance (911 or local number). Now i have to carry an "EPI-PEN" which will allow me to inject myself in the event of an allergic reaction. Most importantly, time counts, if I didn't leave for the hospital when I did I would have been in a lot worse shape before i recieved medical attention.
This was a scarey experience, please take insect bites seriously!!
Corey
The reaction i had was severe. I'm posting so that should someone else get stung that they don't shrug it off as no big deal until they are sure that they are not having a reaction.
I recieved the stings to my head, face , and back. There was no indication that there was a problem for 10-15 minutes, then symptoms started. I noticed a slight wheezing as a breathed. With this we shut down and a crew member drove me a nearby hospital. Within a half hour from the time of the stings, i was having difficulty breathing, severe stomach cramps and vomiting, red hives, on my chest, also blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
The E>R> nurses were phenominal, ekg, O2, and intraveinous lines were set up in minutes. They mixed up a cocktail of drugs and gave me a shot. Within 10 minutes I felt better and slept for about 2 hours.
I'll be honest I thought I was finished. I said a few prayers while laying on the table being treated.
Iv'e been stung before 1-2 time in the legs or hands. The Dr. who treated me said that bites to the head neck and chest are more severe and are more likely to cause a reaction.
The moral of the story, treat any insect sting as a severe injury until you are sure its not. Know where the local hospital is and how to get there. Ambulance crews carry epinephrine on board, so know how to call an ambulance (911 or local number). Now i have to carry an "EPI-PEN" which will allow me to inject myself in the event of an allergic reaction. Most importantly, time counts, if I didn't leave for the hospital when I did I would have been in a lot worse shape before i recieved medical attention.
This was a scarey experience, please take insect bites seriously!!
Corey
