Insect Stings: What You Need to Know this Summer
Are You Allergic to Insect Stings? Read Some Helpful Tips & Precautions for People Suffering from Insect Allergies. Contact us to Learn More About Insect Sting Allergy Management & Treatment at the Allergy & Asthma Center. We Have 3 Locations in Atlanta, Lawrenceville & Conyers, GA.
During Summer, our likelihood of being exposed to stinging insects increases as we spend more time outdoors. Insect allergy, or hymenoptera hypersensitivity, is a potential cause of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. This type of reaction happens in people who have had prior stings by similar insects and have become allergic to the stinging insect venom. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, a drop in blood pressure (shock), and possibly death. Epinephrine helps stop this type of allergic reaction and is often prescribed by board certified allergists for patients with insect allergy. If you have been diagnosed with insect allergy, always have your Epinephrine auto-injector readily accessible.
Precautions
- Avoid drinking sugary beverages outside. Avoid open containers since the insects can crawl inside.
- Keep lids on garbage cans
- Try not to wear brightly colored clothing (especially yellows and reds) which attract stinging insects.
- During spring and summer, leave off the perfume/cologne while outside.
- Wear closed-toed shoes outside (yellow jackets are ground nesters).
- Beware of flower gardens and picnic areas with open trash receptacles that attract stinging insects.
Treatment
For patients with severe stinging insect allergies, also called anaphylaxis, there is a safe and effective therapy. Once the insect that caused the reaction is identified through allergy testing, then immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be initiated by a board-certified allergist. Venom immunotherapy is life changing for many patients since it can provide protection against future stings and allow individuals to resume their normal activities without fear of another allergic reaction.
If you are dealing with insect allergies, feel free to make an appointment with one of our board-certified allergists near you in Atlanta, Lawrenceville, or Conyers Georgia by calling or requesting an appointment online.
Additional Allergy & Asthma Services
▸ Allergy Shots
▸ Allergy Testing
▸ Asthma
▸ Bronchodilators
▸ Drug Allergy
▸ Food Allergy
▸ Insect Allergy
▸ Nasal/Sinus Allergies
▸ Pediatric Allergy
▸ Pediatric Asthma
▸ Skin Allergy
▸ Spring Allergies
