INSERT STRING ALLERGY - WatsonsHealth

INSECT STING ALLERGY

Overview & Facts

Every year, thousands of people enter hospital emergency rooms because of insect stings that cause dangerous allergic reactions. It has been estimated that this happens in 0.4% – 0.8% of children and 3% of adults and the insect sting anaphylaxis can cause at least 90– 100 deaths per year.

Insects such as wasps, honeybees, yellow jackets, fire ants, hornets and bumble bees, have venoms that cause allergic reactions to people.

The venom causes only itching, redness, mild pain and swelling at the site of the bite in people who are not allergic and even those who are allergic to the venom usually have only mild symptoms. People with allergy may have an anaphylactic reaction, a more serious reaction.

Types & Symptoms

The symptoms of the insect sting allergy include:

  • Pain
  • Flushing
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Swelling (in the area of the sting and sometimes beyond)
  • Hives
  • Anaphylaxis, a potentially dangerous reaction that may impair breathing and can cause the body to go into shock

An allergy is the most serious reaction to an insect sting and this is in need of immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

  • Itching, hives, and swelling in areas other than the sting spot
  • Tightness in the chest and trouble in breathing
  • Vomiting, intense nausea or diarrhea and abdominal cramping
  • Difficulty swallowing, swelling of the tongue or throat, hoarse voice

An anaphylaxis or an even more severe allergic reaction is life-threatening and can happen within minutes after the sting. Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest
  • Dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

An allergist can help you in diagnosing allergy to insect venom wherein he or she take a detailed medical history and perform tests such as skin-prick test or an intradermal skin tests.

Your allergist may recommend a blood test if both skin prick and intradermal skin tests are negative.

The strength of a reaction to a blood or skin test does not indicate how severe your allergic reaction will be the next time you are stung.

 

TREATMENT

Two-step approach in treating insect sting allergy:

  1. Emergency treatment such as certain drugs that may include epinephrine, antihistamines, intravenous fluids, corticosteroids, and oxygen.
  2. Venom immunotherapy to treat underlying allergy.

Yellow jackets, fire ants, wasps, and hornets can sting repeatedly. To avoid pressing more venom into the skin when stung by honeybees, the stingers are best removed by a scraping action rather than a pulling motion.

For fire ant stings, remember do not break the blister just clean the blisters with water and soap to avoid secondary infection. Oral antihistamines or topical corticosteroid ointments may relieve the itching associated with these reactions.

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