Stinging Insect Allergy

Key Facts:

  • 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
  • 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 them U.S. population as a result of insect stings.
  • Venom immunotherapy prevents systemic reactions in stinging insect-sensitive patients 97% of the time.

 

*DISCLAIMER
This site is not meant to diagnose your condition. The information here does not necessarily pertain to all individuals and should not replace the advice of your physician. Please contact your doctor with any questions.