DCK Got Stung By A Bee, Exclude Until Treated?

[daycarediva]

My DCG got stung by a bee Wednesday evening, at home.

She kept her home today because when she called me to tell me it was swollen and she had given her Benadryl, I referenced the need meds, too sick for daycare part of my contract/parent handbook.

She stopped by with dcg to pick up her bathing suit (honestly believe it was an excuse) and her foot is SO SWOLLEN! She was stung near her big toe, and her foot is swollen to her ankle! It doesn't fit in her sandals, and her flip flops left huge indents when I took them off to take a look at it. I told her that I strongly feel she should be seen by a doctor, and didn't feel comfortable having her in care tomorrow. I also don't allow flip flops, so I COULD exclude on just the fact that she can't wear close toes shoes alone.

Mom is LIVID and I just got an angry text about my being unreasonable, it's summer, bug bits/stings happen. Ironically, same family that was counting mosquito bites last week because they didn't believe in the efficacy of my organic/all natural bug spray.

[Heidi]

Ironic that your avatar is a bee...

By tomorrow, the swelling will have subsided considerably, or they will hopefully take her to the doctor.

They could buy some topical Benadryl gel to apply, although it has to be done carefully because it is absorbed through the skin and we wouldn't want her overdosed.

In your shoes, I'd probably say they should at least call the doctors office, describe the swelling, and ask their opinion. That would satisfy me enough to let her come. That, and the condition that if she is really uncomfortable and crying they would agree to come get her.

As for the shoes, I'd make an exception on that.

[daycarediva]

She has had Benadryl every 6 hours since Wednesday night. Dcm sent me a picture of it right after it happened, and again right now. I see very little decrease in swelling. Dcg is limping around (she is NOT a complainer, and when I asked her if it hurts right now she said "Worse than shots Miss. ****)

I am allergic to bees (although I like them, they CAN kill me) and this is epi-pen worthy, especially if Benadryl isn't helping much, imo.

Hmm, maybe if I tell dcm to call the doctor and consult them, at bare minimum? I mean, if they are 'off' together, wouldn't it be prudent just to take her and have her seen? She is SOOOO SOOOO TINY at 3 1/2. (22lbs) and they are giving her 25mg of Benadryl (child dose is 12.5mg) every 6 hours. Mom IS an LPN, and they are honest about what they are doing so I don't think she would lie to me with what the doctor said, but she DEFINITELY downplayed it on the phone. I assumed that DCM was over reacting because of the way she reacted to the mosquito bites. My dd saw dcg's foot and gasped, it was THAT bad. She looks like one foot has gout.

[Heidi]

Then just say something like..

Look, I don't really WANT to exclude dcg, but that sting looks so bad it really worries me. If you would take her in to see the doc, and he's ok with it, then I'd have no problem having her come to daycare, and we'll work around the show rule. Does that sound fair?

[daycarediva]

Then just say something like..

Look, I don't really WANT to exclude dcg, but that sting looks so bad it really worries me. If you would take her in to see the doc, and he's ok with it, then I'd have no problem having her come to daycare, and we'll work around the show rule. Does that sound fair?

THANK YOU! I think you just saved my life. I am texting her this word for word. We'll see what she says.

[Unregistered]

Swelling with bug bites is very common and can last several days and it's been LESS than 24 hours. Since the swelling is not spreading UPWARD to her legs and is localized to her foot, from what has been posted here, the child would not need epi. Epi is ONLY for when a child is having difficulty breathing or swollen in the face/neck/throat and it becomes an emergency where 911 needs to be called. If mom's an LPN she will know what/how much to give the kid of the benadryl. Hopefully, she's using the BRAND name one since for whatever reason, the strengths in the non-brand diphenhydramine is not as potent. That said, if she starts getting hives spreading or the swelling begins to spread upward then the child needs to be seen. Additionally, bee stings HURT and ITCH, so maybe some cortizone cream will help with this. NO diphenhydramine (benadryl) cream if she's already taking it orally and at a higher dosage.

Because no one knows if this allergy will get worse, I would exclude the child for at least 2 days or clearance from the doctor. I'd also keep on the lookout when the child comes back and in particular, make sure shes not having any difficulty breathing, "clearing" the throat (sign that anaphylaxis could set in), hives spreading, and that she's not in any pain. I'd also check her over in the AM and MARK where the swelling is if you are going to take her back. My kids peds dr did this when my son was bitten by a spider with a special skin marker which you should be able to find. He then drew another dot with as far as the spreading would be "allowed' before my son would have to go back in. Since he is my son with special needs, I definitely overreacted, but at the time, I thought his foot would fall off as swollen as it looked. We gave him benadryl, applied the cortizone and waited and watched. I did not allow ANYONE else to watch him for the first 48 hours after the bite occurred. After the 2 days, we noticed the swelling began to go down little by little and by the next week it was almost gone. The trick to this is: THEY CANNOT SCRATCH IT! It will be so hard to tell swelling from redness from scratching it for the first few days.

Hope DCK feels better and I'm sure it'll be fine.

[itlw8]

I do not understand why you would exclude her. Any reaction has already happened. The dr will say ice, elevate, benedryl no need to exclude from activities. the more she moves the better. let her wear a flip flop until is better.

[mrsnj]

My daughter was stung by a bee on her foot. Two actually and it got worse with each day. By day three her whole foot, ankle...all the way to her knee was hot, swollen and had a rash that covered her foot and leg. Turned out she had a large local reaction that Benedryl was not helping. She couldn't have worn a shoe or even played on it. We iced it for a good week! I would recommend the dr visit too! If nothing else, just to make sure the poor child is ok!

I would nix the shoes too but we are hillbillies here anyway and run around barefoot in the summer anyway. But if the poor child cant do everyday activities like playing, I would seek a dr note. I kind of agree with itlw8. She isn't contagious. Just needs some TLC and ice assuming the dr gives a thumbs up.

[SilverSabre25]

agree with unreg (wow, that is not something I say very often!)

With swelling like you describe, I would want her seen as well, or at least out of my care and off my watch.

She could have been stung by a particular type of bee/wasp that causes crazy swelling, and it could be as simple as that. But with the location and severity of swelling, I, as a rather laid back parent, would at least be calling.

[Cradle2crayons]

I agree with PP. sometimes stings cause localized swelling, especially if it actually stung in a joint. I got stung one time by a yellow jacket and a little garlic wrap cleared it up in six hours and it was over the top swollen. Ice works with some and after twenty four hours, warm compresses help with the swelling as well.

I'd certainly have her call the doctor and ask what will help the swelling twenty four hours after a sting and go from there. If shell address the swelling now it should be mostly gone by morning.

[daycare]

my son (the big one) is allergic to mosquitos. he got bit in the forehead. it looked ok, so he went to school. next day he wakes up and his eye is completely swollen shut, black and blue. it looked like someone hit him in the eye. I had him miss school, stay home, ice and allergy meds. husband clears him and says he seems to be ok. Well the 3rd day, he wakes up around 1am says his mouth feels numb??? His tongue is swollen and he says his chest hurts.....husband picks him outta bed and takes him to the ER...he had a delayed reaction to the bite....they said it was very uncommon after 2 days, but it happens.

I would require doc note. better safe than sorry

[Unregistered]

I do not understand why you would exclude her. Any reaction has already happened. The dr will say ice, elevate, benedryl no need to exclude from activities. the more she moves the better. let her wear a flip flop until is better.

As a parent and provider, I would have excluded due to some children can experience a delayed reaction. This is why that first couple days is so important to keep an eye on the child. It's not always immediate and just because it's not always immediate doesn't mean it can't become life-threatening. For NOW, it appears as all is fine, but to keep the child home with mom/dad for 48 hours is safest. The mom and dad can devote more 1:1 time than the provider who has several other children to supervise, can.

[JenNJ]

If she requires meds, I exclude. I am NOT comfortable administering meds, especially antihistamines. If she can't wear shoes or walk properly, how can she participate? I get why mom is upset, but it isn't your fault. She needs to be able to be pain free and ready for daycare activities.

[Unregistered]

If she requires meds, I exclude. I am NOT comfortable administering meds, especially antihistamines. If she can't wear shoes or walk properly, how can she participate? I get why mom is upset, but it isn't your fault. She needs to be able to be pain free and ready for daycare activities.

This too. I work in healthcare part-time and still won't administer meds to daycare kids. I just feel odd about it though I CAN do it in a medical setting, I just don't like doing it in a private setting due to liability is on ME alone. Being that this mom is an LPN, she should be smart enough to know that the best place for a child sometimes just happens to be at home and though it inconveniences her, that's too bad. Being a parent means being inconvenienced and sacrificing even when it ****s.

[Blackcat31]

If she requires meds, I exclude. I am NOT comfortable administering meds, especially antihistamines. If she can't wear shoes or walk properly, how can she participate? I get why mom is upset, but it isn't your fault. She needs to be able to be pain free and ready for daycare activities.

I wouldn't exclude for the bee sting either.

But I would certainly exclude for not being able to participate.

I also will NOT administer meds. EVER.