Natalie,
Sorry to hear about that knucklehead.
You can take up to 50 mg of benadryl every 6 hours. Since it is so sedating, most people can't take that much. 25 mg is probably a better starting dose. You have to be careful if you take it and have to drive somewhere. Probably should not mix with alcohol, sedatives, or narcotics.
There are two types of histamine receptors in the body, type 1 and 2. H1 blockers are things like benadryl (diphenhydramine), but also less potent and less sedating claritin (loratidine), allegra, zyrtec. They block the action of histamine on the H1 receptor. H2 blockers like pepcid are marketed for stomach problems because acid secretion in the stomach is stimulated by histamine, but pepcid also acts to reduce swelling from allergic reactions stimulated by histamine at the H2 receptor. Pepcid is not sedating and is pretty benign. They sell it over the counter.
Ice applied to the area (try a bag of frozen peas, it's easier) is another great anti-inflammatory.
Therefore, the rally pack I would suggest for a bad bee sting (for adults) is benadryl 50 mg once then 25 mg every 6 hours, pepcid 20 mg twice daily, and frozen peas for 30 minutes.
Hope you are feeling better!
b