Insect Allergy
Stings from insects such as bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and fire ants may cause severe allergic reactions that can be life threatening (anaphylaxis). However, not all reactions to insect stings or bites are allergic in nature and not all reactions are predictions of a future reaction.
Normal reactions to insect stings or bites include pain, local redness and swelling and local itching. This reaction may last several days and may respond to topical steroid creams (such as Cortaid), ice application, and oral antihistamines (such as Benadryl).
Allergic reactions typically occur within seconds to minutes of a sting and are characterized by hives, generalized itching, throat closure, wheezing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramping. If any of these symptoms occur, you should seek emergency medical assistance immediately and be evaluated by an allergist to identify possible insect allergy.
Insect avoidance
- Do not walk outside barefooted; wear socks with covered shoes (no sandals or Tevas).
- Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes or clothes with floral patterns, as these may attract flying stinging insects.
- Do not swat at stinging insects.
- Survey and exterminate yards for fire ant mounds and stinging insect mounds.
- Do not wear perfume or cologne.
- If you have been identified as having an insect allergy, wear a Medic Alert bracelet and carry a self injectable epinephrine at all times.
