It also breaks down the types of stinging insects you are most likely to come across.
That venom contains proteins, which trigger pain, swelling, redness, and itching around the sting area.
For most people, these mild symptoms stay contained to the sting area.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
But for people who are allergic to the venom, theirimmune systemreaction can becomesystemic.
Each year, thousands of people seek medical care for severe reactions to flying insect stings.
Anyone can have a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting.
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.
If you have an EpiPen or AUVI-Q, inject it right away, then go to the hospital.
Anaphylaxis can return, so you will still need to be monitored.
Insects That Cause Venom Allergies
Bees are some of the more well known flying insects that sting.
But they aren’t the only ones.
These, along with bees, all belong to the insect orderHymenoptera.
Knowing which bugs can cause anaphylaxis and what those bugs' habits are can help you avoid them.
Don’t delay medical care by trying to figure out which insect stung you.
Honeybees
Honeybees prefer to nest in tree hollows, logs, or buildings.
They don’t tend to be aggressive when they are away from their hive.
They are much more likely to attack when they feel their hive is under threat.
Honeybees collect nectar from all kinds of plants.
One of their favorites seems to be clover.
This explains why people often get stung while walking barefoot through a lawn filled with clover.
Other insects can too, but it’s far less common.
There are many different ways toremove a stinger.
The longer the stinger is in the skin, the more venom it can inject.
Killer honeybees come with a distinct risk, though.
Killing a bee causes them to release a scent that warns their hive and attracts other bees.
Killer honeybees target your eyes, nose, and mouth when attacking.
Bumblebees
Bumblebees rarely sting people.
They are not aggressive and typically mild-mannered.
They will sting if provoked or if their nest is disturbed.
But they are so loud and slow that a person usually has plenty of time to escape.
Bumblebees feed on insects and flower nectar.
They nest on the ground, or in piles of grass clippings or wood.
Once again, if you are walking around outdoors, see to it to wear shoes.
Yellow Jackets
Yellow jacketslive in mounds built into the ground and tend to be aggressive.
They are a common bother at picnics where there are lots of sugary drinks and food.
You might also find them near trash cans.
Yellow jackets can carrybacteria.
These insects may be very aggressive.
Unlike honeybees, hornets will not leave their stinger in you.
That means they can sting you multiple times.
Hornets also aim for the eyes, so your best defense is to cover your face and run.
Recap
Flying insects have slightly different preferences for where they build their hives.
If they attack you, your best defense is to run.
Prevention
Put simply, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid being stung.
Skin testing is typically the go-to method.
It’s the most reliable way to test for allergens and similar to testing for pollen or pet allergies.
You will feel a little prick when this happens.
A blood test works a little differently.
For the blood test, a lab technician draws a sample of your blood.
Studies show that most people can’t identify which key in of insect stung them.
So, allergists usually test for all stinging insects, from bees to wasps and more.
Or, you have a high risk of getting stung, for example, if you are a beekeeper.
You may be tested with either a skin test or a blood test.
Epinephrine is the drug form of the hormone adrenaline.
Your body produces this hormone on its own.
Injecting epinephrine in an allergic emergency reverses the symptoms of anaphylaxis.
It increases blood flow, opens your airways, and more.
When itching or hives are your only symptoms, anoral antihistaminemay be all you need.
Any time a stinger is left in your skin, it should be quickly removed.
Do not squeeze the stinger or skin around it.
Instead, scrape the stinger out with the edge of a credit card.
Put ice or a cold compress at the sting site to reduce local swelling.
Granted, this is easier said than done, especially for people who work or live near them.
The first-line treatment for insect allergy is venom immunotherapy (VIT).
Theseallergy shotscontain purified venom from the pop in of insect to which a person is allergic.
VIT is widely considered safe and effective.
Still, there is a small chance that a person could have an allergic reaction to the shots themselves.
Reactions to VIT are usually mild and contained to the injection site.
As of 2017, no deaths due to VIT-induced anaphylaxis have been reported.
RIT works similarly to VIT.
RIT does come with an increased risk of allergic reactions.
But it can also get a venom allergy under control much faster than VIT.
These are factors you will need to discuss with your allergist.
This is to ensure that the full course of therapy has been done and the allergy is under control.
Allergy shots can reduce the chances of a life-threatening allergic reaction in the future.
But in order for this to happen, the full course oftreatmentneeds to be completed.
During an allergic reaction, an EpiPEn or AUVI-Q can reverse anaphylaxis symptoms.
For prevention, venom immunotherapy can reduce and even cure the insect allergy.
Summary
The only surefire way to prevent getting stung is to avoid stinging insects completely.
But since stings can’t always be prevented, you should still be prepared if you run into one.
Remember, your best defense is to cover your face and run.
The moment you notice symptoms starting, call 911 and use your EpiPen or AUVI-Q if you have one.
Most people with mild reactions will not need allergy shots.
This could be a bracelet, wallet card, or scroll I.D.
that states their medical condition.
It should also state that they have an injectable form of epinephrine on them that needs to be used.
If you have an EpiPen, you should carry it with you wherever you go.
Call 911 if you develop any signs of anaphylaxis, even if it’s just one or two symptoms.
You should also call 911 if there are multiple stings.
Allergic reactions can start within minutes to hours after a sting.
Systemic symptoms, like trouble breathing, are a sign of anaphylaxis that require immediate medical attention.
It is possible to outgrow a bee sting allergy, but it doesn’t happen for everyone.
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