What to do for a hornet sting with persistent redness 3 days later?

From the Guidelines

For persistent redness around a hornet sting after 3 days, you should apply cold compresses to reduce local pain and swelling, and consider taking oral antihistamines and analgesics to help with itching and pain, as these measures can provide symptomatic relief 1. To manage the symptoms, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times daily to reduce discomfort. Additionally, taking an oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25-50mg every 6 hours or cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10mg once daily can help with itching and swelling. It's also essential to clean the area gently with mild soap and water to prevent secondary infection. Some key points to consider include:

• Watching for signs of infection such as increasing warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaks extending from the site
• Seeking immediate medical attention if you develop fever, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or if the redness continues to spread significantly
• Understanding that the swelling and redness are caused by mediator release and not by infection, so antibiotics are not indicated unless there is evidence of secondary infection 1
• Considering the use of oral corticosteroids for large local reactions, although definitive proof of efficacy through controlled studies is lacking 1

From the Research

Hornet Sting Redness 3 Days Later

• The redness and swelling caused by a hornet sting can persist for several days, as seen in a case study where a patient developed swelling and blister formation on the extremities after being stung by a hornet 2.
• The treatment for hornet stings typically includes corticosteroids, antihistamines, and other medications to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms 2.
• However, there is a lack of evidence for the efficacy of these treatments, and recommendations are often based on expert opinion and clinical experience 3.

Management of Insect Bites

• Insect bites, including hornet stings, can cause local reactions, immune reactions, and secondary bacterial infections 3.
• Topical corticosteroids and antihistamines are commonly used to treat insect bites, but their effectiveness is not well established 3.
• Cetirizine, an antihistamine, has been shown to decrease wealing and reduce the size and pruritus of delayed bite papules in mosquito bites 4.

Prevention and Treatment

• Insect repellents, such as DEET, permethrin, and picaridin, can help prevent insect bites and reduce the risk of systemic infections 5.
• Papular urticaria, a skin reaction caused by insect bites, can be treated with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines, but the effectiveness of these treatments is not well established 6.
• Prevention of insect bites, such as using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing, is an important aspect of managing insect bite reactions 6.