A member asked:

Why does your skin swell when you get stung by a wasp?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Wasp sting: A wasp sting swells because the sting is accompanied by release of a venom which produces inflammation at the site of the sting. This causes the swelling.

Answered 9/16/2017

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Wasp Stings: Wasp stings release venom which may have as many as 13 antigens. Enzymes in wasp venom break down cell walls ; degranulate mast cells which in turn leads to release of histamin resulting in symptoms like itching, swelling ; pain.

Answered 8/27/2015

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