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Insect Stings and Allergic Reactions
What is an allergic reaction?
Insect allergies most frequently occur after being stung by a:
• Bee
• Wasp
• Yellow jacket
• Hornet
• Fire ant
Most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal or local reaction for an allergic reaction. By knowing the difference, the patient can prevent unnecessary worry and visits to the doctor’s office.
The severity of an insect sting reaction varies from person to person. There are three types of reactions:
1. A normal reaction will result in pain, swelling, and redness around the sting site.
2. A large, local reaction will result in swelling that extends beyond the sting site. For example, a person stung on the ankle may have swelling of the entire leg. While it often looks alarming, generally, it is no more serious than a normal reaction.
3. The most serious reaction to an insect sting is an allergic one (described below). This condition requires immediate medical attention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction or “anaphylactic” reaction may include one or more of the following:
• Difficulty breathing
• Hives which appear as a red, itchy rash that spreads to areas other than the immediate area stung
• Swelling of the face, throat or mouth tissue
• Wheezing or difficulty swallowing
• Restlessness and anxiety
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure
Although severe allergic reactions are not that common, they can lead to shock, cardiac arrest and unconsciousness in 10 minutes or less. This type of reaction can occur within minutes after the sting and may be life-threatening or even fatal. Get emergency treatment as soon as possible.
A mild allergic reaction to an insect sting may cause one or more of the following symptoms at the site of the sting:
• Pain
• Redness
• Pimple-like spots
• Mild to moderate swelling
• Warmth at the sting site
• Itching
People who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if they are stung again.
How common are sting allergies?
About two million Americans are allergic to the venom of stinging insects. Many of these individuals are at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions. Approximately 50 deaths each year in the U.S. are attributed to allergic reactions to insect stings.
How are normal or localized reactions treated?
First, if stung on the hand, remove any rings on your fingers immediately.
If stung by a bee, the bee usually leaves a sac of venom and a stinger in the victim’s skin. If the sac is still in the skin, gently scrape it out with a fingernail or a stiff-edged object like a credit card. Do not pull on the stinger as this will cause the release of more venom into the skin.
Wash the stung area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic.
Apply a soothing ointment, like a hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion and cover the area with a dry, sterile bandage.
If swelling is a problem, apply an ice pack or cold compress to the area.
Take an oral anti-histamine, like Benadryl, to reduce itching, swelling and hives. However, this medication should not be given to children under 3 years of age or to a pregnant woman without prior approval from her doctor.
To relieve pain, take aspirin or an aspirin-substitute. However, do not give a child or teenager aspirin. (Aspirin use in these age groups has been associated with a rare but serious liver and brain disorder called Reye’s syndrome).
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this article is prohibited except with the prior written permission of Cleveland Clinic. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It does not replace the independent judgment of a physician about the appropriateness or risks of a condition or procedure for a given patient. For the latest health and wellness news, please visit www.clevelandClinicHealth.com.
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