Some people are allergic to insect stings. This means that their immune
systems overreact to the venom injected by a stinging insect.
Insects to which people can have allergic reactions include members
of the Hymenoptera class
Honey Bee
Yellow Jacket
Wasp
Yellow Hornet
White-faced Hornet
Wasp
Fire Ant
Symptoms may include only redness, swelling and itching at the site
of the sting. Some people have large local reactions (large amount of
swelling contiguous to the site of the sting). Unfortunately, more serious
and potentially life threatening reactions called anaphylaxis can occur.
Symptoms can include hives, swelling, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness
and sometimes death.
To avoid stinging insects, it is important to learn what they look
like and where they live. If you live in the south, the Yellow Jacket
or the fire ant are the most likely insects to sting you. Honey Bees
are the culprits in California and fire ants are present in the South
west. Children and adults are approached differently depending on their
reactions. If you are a child and have just skin reactions such as hives
or swelling, research has shown that you are at little risk for more
life threatening reactions and you will not benefit from allergy shots
for insects. Conversely, adults with more than a local reaction should
be evaluated for insect allergy and consider venom immunotherapy if
they are allergic.
Contrary to popular belief, an individual's pattern of reactivity
to a sting usually repeats itself. If you develop hives only after being
stung, the same will happen if stung again in the majority of patients.
There is generally not a progressive worsening of symptoms with future
stings. All adults with anaphylactic reactions and children who have
more than skin reactions should be evaluated by a board certified allergist.
Statistics:
At least 40 deaths occur annually in the United States from reactions
to insect stings. A severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis occurs
in 0.5 to 5% of the
U.S. population as a result of insect stings.
Venom immunotherapy prevents systemic reactions in stinging insect-sensitive
patients 97% of the time.