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Insect sting allergy
Summer could be so beautiful if it weren't for bees and wasps, which can cause discomfort for allergy sufferers. An insect sting allergy occurs rather rarely, but it is one of the most dangerous allergies of all. As useful as the buzzing little animals are - even one sting can be fatal and claims new lives every year. But you can arm yourself against it!
What is an insect sting allergy?
Insect sting allergy, or insect venom allergy, is an excessive reaction of the immune system to an insect sting. It belongs to the immediate-type allergies, since the allergic reaction occurs within a few minutes and increases rapidly.
According to the Allergy Information Service of Helmholtz Zentrum München, only about 0.8 to 5 percent of all adults stung by insects react allergically. Nevertheless, about 20 people die each year from insect bite allergy.
Which insect stings trigger an allergic reaction?
There are countless numbers of insects, some of which are quite stingy. Severe allergic reactions, however, trigger only a few. In this country, these are mainly:
- bees
- wasps
- hornets
- bumblebees
This is because they release venom when stung, to which the body can overreact. In the worst case, an insect sting can cause anaphylactic shock, which can even be fatal.
It is important to know: Anyone who is allergic to bee venom will also react to a bumblebee sting in 75 percent of cases. Likewise, there is a cross-allergy between wasps and hornets. But bees and wasps can also be equally dangerous for sufferers.
How does an insect sting allergy manifest itself?
Most people are familiar with the brief, burning pain when a bee or wasp has bored its stinger into the skin. Many have also observed a reddened spot on themselves that disappears on its own after a few days or weeks. All these are normal reactions to an insect sting and not yet a sign of an allergy.
Because in the case of an insect sting allergy, the symptoms can be life-threatening and require rapid medical treatment. Immediately after the sting occurs:
- severe itching, redness and swelling at the corresponding site
- hives
- circulatory problems, dizziness
- heart palpitations
- sweating
- nausea, gastrointestinal problems
- breathlessness
- in the worst case, anaphylactic shock
Typical for an allergy: The discomfort occurs not only locally at the sting site, but also in other parts of the body.
What to do in case of insect sting allergy?
If you suffer from an insect sting allergy, every sting is an emergency. This is because within a very short time, your mouth, throat and airways can swell and cause shortness of breath. Therefore, call the emergency doctor to be able to be treated as quickly as possible.
In some people, however, an insect bite "only" leads to a painful swelling of the stung area. If this swelling can not be treated with conventional drugs, you should also see a doctor. The same applies if circulatory problems or nausea are added to the sting.
If the insect sting allergy is already known to you through previous incidents, you should always carry your emergency kit with medications to be able to react quickly in case of a new sting. Usually a bronchodilator spray or an auto-injection syringe with adrenaline helps to bridge the time until the emergency doctor arrives.
To get rid of the allergy permanently, hypo- or desensitization is advisable, especially for life-threatening insect sting allergy. It usually lasts three years and is carried out by an allergist.
And of course, the following applies: stay away from bees and wasps. If you are outdoors and are approached by a wasp, stay calm. Do not wave your arms, even if panic rises in you. Always remember: bees and wasps only sting when they feel threatened. Also, do not walk barefoot through the grass. Especially clover and other meadow flowers are gladly approached by bees, wasps, on the other hand, like to hide in holes in the ground.
Which insect bite is the worst?
A particularly severe allergic reaction is triggered by bee stings, since bees can sting only once and release their entire venom as a defensive reaction. Wasp stings are also painful. However, because a wasp can sting multiple times, it secretes smaller amounts of venom. The sting of a hornet can also cause severe pain, as hornets are equipped with a long stinger and a particularly painful toxin.
The sting site is also decisive. A sting at the foot runs under circumstances milder than a sting in the throat. This does not occur so rarely: A bee or wasp is swallowed when biting into the fruitcake or hides in the sweet lemonade from which you just wanted to take a sip. A sting in the mouth or throat means extreme alarm, because within a very short time the airways can swell up even in non-allergy sufferers and lead to respiratory distress
.