What should I do if I have an allergic reaction to a wasp sting?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on April 29, 2025
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After being stung by a wasp and experiencing allergic reactions, the first step is to treat the sting site. You can wash the wound with soap and water or an alkaline solution to reduce the absorption of toxins. Additionally, thoroughly disinfect with iodine. Also, inspect the sting site for any remaining stinger; if present, remove it to decrease further toxin absorption and alleviate symptoms. For skin allergies, oral antihistamines such as levocetirizine or loratadine can be taken to ease symptoms. If the allergic skin reaction is severe and covers a large area, and oral medications are ineffective, intravenous administration of antihistamines such as dexamethasone, calcium gluconate, and high doses of vitamin C can be considered for treatment to relieve symptoms. It is also important to watch your diet and avoid spicy, irritating foods and seafood. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication use.)

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can people with skin allergies eat lamb?

Patients with skin allergies are generally advised not to eat lamb. Lamb is considered very warm and sweet in nature. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is said to nourish the kidneys, strengthen yang, dispel wind and cold, and benefit qi and blood. It is categorized in TCM as a warming and drying food that promotes yang, and is considered a trigger food. It can often induce or exacerbate skin diseases. Therefore, in clinical practice, we generally do not recommend lamb to patients with skin allergies. If it is necessary to consume, it should be eaten minimally.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can people with skin allergies drink milk?

Patients with skin allergies are advised not to drink milk. This is because the components in milk are relatively likely to exacerbate allergies, as it contains many allergens. Therefore, it is best to avoid drinking milk. However, if an allergen test is conducted and none of the components in milk cause an allergic reaction in the patient, it is safe to drink milk. Additionally, after experiencing skin allergies, it is beneficial to eat light foods and avoid rich foods, such as fish, shrimp, crab, etc.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What can you eat with skin allergies?

Skin allergies are caused by exposure to allergens. If skin allergies occur, it is best to check for allergens to see which foods or substances you are allergic to. Foods that do not cause allergic reactions upon testing or after consumption can be eaten. However, foods such as fish, shrimp, beef, lamb, seafood, eggs, and milk are more likely to cause allergies and should be avoided as much as possible.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can people with skin allergies eat persimmons?

Patients with skin allergies can generally eat persimmons. Persimmons are cold in nature and sweet in taste. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, persimmons have the effects of clearing heat, transforming phlegm, moisturizing the lungs, and stopping coughs. Clinically, it is very rare to see patients who are allergic to persimmons. Therefore, in general, people with skin allergies can eat persimmons. However, persimmons should not be eaten in excess or on an empty stomach, as they may form indigestible hard masses in the stomach, which are not conducive to digestion and elimination, leading to the so-called persimmon bezoar syndrome. This condition can cause stomach bleeding and gastric perforation in patients with gastric ulcers.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Causes of skin allergies

The causes of skin allergies are mainly related to exposure to allergens, and different people have different allergens. For some, it might be medications, for others, it could be foods, and for some, environmental factors might be the allergens. Regardless of the type of allergen, it is necessary to actively conduct examinations and identify the causes, while also treating the skin allergy promptly.