phineasjones

To the poster above, yes, you want to take an antihistamine in response to a histamine-producing sting, because it isn't the sting that is actually bothering you - it's your bodies overreaction to it. Some people get a sting or bite or poison ivy or what have you, and just feel a tiny bit of discomfort. Some people who are really allergic, swell up like balloons, and can even die if their breathing gets constricted (I have that reaction to bees). That severe reaction is caused not by the allergen, but by the reaction of your body's immune system. Overproducing histamine is what CAUSES the runny nose, itching, watery eyes, hives and swelling. In other words, your body reacts to an extremem, and can cause you big trouble. Blocking the histamine blocks the symptoms.