What is it with the frickin bees/wasps/hornets this year? In my whole life I'd been stung twice. Now this year I've been stung twice within 6 weeks. I'm pg, so I didn't want to take any benadryl, and can't take ibuprofen. The first was on my arm, the stinger was still attached with venom sac. (This was just playing with my dogs in my yard). In 3 days my arm had swollen from 2" above my elbow to my wrist. Finally went to the doc, he said to just take the benadryl and gave me a topical cream that didn't seem to do much. He said to stop icing it (the only thing that relieved the unbelievable heat and itching). Next was about 2 weeks ago, I was riding, this thing flew into my right leg, bounced off it, then grazed my left inner thigh. I stopped immediately, and while there was no stinger, there was a tiny hole in my shorts where it'd gone through. In 2 days my leg was swollen from about 2" below the bikini line to about 3" above my knee. Luckily this one didn't get as hot and itchy, but still hurt.

So what do I say when people ask if I'm allergic? Well, yes, I'm obviously allergic. I don't have systemic reactions (breathing, hives, etc.) but severe local reactions. I wish there was something more that could be done other than taking benadryl. Grrr.