The Buzz On Bee Stings

There is a buzz in the air and it is not a friendly one. Legions of stinging insects are in their carnivorous assault on outdoor activities across America. These hostile marauders often leave in their wake: widespread fear, painful stings, and even death. If under siege, resist the temptation to launch a counterstrike. This type of retaliatory action is best left to the professionals. For a sting victim, a trip to the hospital may be in order.

According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, most insect stings result in a normal reaction. Symptoms include pain, swelling, itching, and redness confined to the sting site.

Recommended treatment includes: gently disinfecting the area, using ice to reduce the swelling, and using topical steroid ointments or oral antihistamines to relieve the itching. Sometime a normal reaction can be rather large extending well beyond the sting site (a sting on the wrist may cause the entire arm to swell). If this situation persists for more than a day or two, a physician should be consulted.

For one to two percent of the population, an insect sting reaction will be allergic in nature. This type of reaction is characterized by: hives, itching, and swelling in areas other than the sting site; tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing; dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure; unconsciousness or cardiac arrest. An allergic reaction can occur in minutes after the sting and may be life-threatening or even fatal. Immediate medical attention is required and may involve the administration of certain drugs and in some cases intravenous fluids, oxygen, and other treatments.

Because there is a 60 percent likelihood of a recurrence upon re-sting, allergic patients should seek follow-up care from an allergist. This specialist will evaluate a patient’s allergic condition and may prescribe an insect sting kit for emergency treatment and/or immunotherapy; a highly effective vaccination program for lifelong protection against allergic reactions.

It was recently shown in a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that most people who are allergic to insect stings who undergo a two-year vaccination program will have a prolonged benefit and a permanent loss of allergy. This is good news for the two million Americans who suffer from potentially life-threatening allergic reactions and the crippling fear associated with them.

For persons interested in learning more about allergic reactions to insect stings, a free brochure written by the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology is available by calling 800-23 STING.