Insect Allergy
When people think about spring and summer, they also think about insect allergies. Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow-jackets and fire ants are the most common stinging insects that cause an allergic reaction. Mosquitoes, kissing bugs, bedbugs, fleas and certain flies are the most common biting insects known to cause an allergic reaction.
Most insect stings in the United States come from wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and honeybees; however, the red or black imported fire ant now infests more than 260 million acres in the southern United States, and it has become a significant health hazard. Every year thousands of people enter hospital emergency rooms or urgent care clinics suffering from insect stings, but it is more common to be afraid of an insect sting than it is to be allergic to one. At the Sinus Institute of Atlanta, Dr. Pradeep Sinha is an expert who can explain the difference between an allergic reaction and a normal reaction.
What are the Symptoms of Insect Sting Allergies?
The severity of an insect sting reaction varies from person to person. A normal reaction will result in pain, swelling and redness confined to the sting site. You can disinfect the area (washing with soap and water will do) and apply ice to reduce the swelling. However, a large local reaction that results in swelling which extends beyond the sting site and is unusually painful may need medical attention. Because this condition may persist for two to three days, antihistamines and corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed to lessen the discomfort.
Fire ants, yellow jackets, hornets and wasps can sting repeatedly. Honeybees have barbed stingers that are left behind in their victim’s skin. These stingers are best removed by a scraping action, rather than a pulling motion, to avoid squeezing more venom into the skin.
The severity of a fire ant sting reaction also varies from person to person. One of the main differences between fire ants and other insects is that a usual sting event consists of multiple fire ants stinging. This is because when a fire ant mound is disturbed hundreds to thousands of fire ants respond. In addition, each ant can sting repeatedly. Each ant will bite and hold on with its mandibles (jaw) and sting several times. If not removed, this results in a little semi-circular pattern of stings. Since fire ants hold on with their mandibles, they often have to be pulled off individually and are not easily brushed off when they are stinging.
Almost all people stung by fire ants develop an itchy, localized hive or lump at the sting site, which usually subsides within 30 to 60 minutes. This is followed by a small blister within four hours. This usually appears to become filled with pus-like material by eight to 24 hours. However, what is seen is really dead tissue, and the blister has little chance of being infected unless it is opened. When healed, these lesions may leave scars.
Fire ant sting treatment is aimed at preventing secondary bacterial infection, which may occur if the pustule is scratched or broken. Clean the blisters with soap and water to prevent secondary infection. Do not break the blister. If a blister is accidentally opened, careful attention to keeping the area clean with soap and water should still prevent infection. Topical corticosteroid ointments and oral antihistamines may relieve the itching associated with these reactions.
The most serious reaction to an insect sting is an allergic one. This condition requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include one or more of the following:
- Hives, itching and swelling in areas other than the sting site
- Abdominal cramping, vomiting, intense nausea or diarrhea
- Tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing
- Hoarse voice or swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing
An even more severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can occur within minutes after the sting and may be life-threatening. A dose of epinephrine (adrenaline), typically administered in an auto-injector, and immediate medical attention is required. It should be noted that people who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if stung again.
Management and Treatment of Insect Allergies
If you are concerned that you may have an allergy to insect venom, your best option is to contact the Sinus Institute of Atlanta to schedule a consultation. Dr. Sinha will take a detailed medical history, discuss your reaction to the stings, how long your reaction lasted, and any additional symptoms. Dr. Sinha may perform tests to diagnose if you have an allergy to insect venom, such as a skin prick test or a blood test.
In the skin-prick test, a small amount of a liquid containing insect venom is placed on the back or forearm, which is then pricked with a small, sterile probe to allow the liquid to seep into the skin. If a raised, reddish spot forms within 15 to 20 minutes, that can indicate an allergy. In the blood test, a blood sample is sent to a laboratory to test for the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to insect venom. If the skin prick test is negative or inconclusive, Dr. Sinha may recommend an intradermal skin test, in which a small amount of venom extract is injected just under the skin. The site is examined after about 15 minutes for signs of an allergic reaction. This test is considered more accurate than the skin-prick or blood tests in determining the presence of IgE antibodies. If both skin prick and intradermal skin tests are negative, then a blood test may be recommended. The strength of a reaction to a skin or blood test does not indicate how severe your allergic reaction will be the next time you are stung.
Insect Sting Prevention
Knowing how to avoid stings from fire ants, honeybees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets leads to a more enjoyable summer for everyone. Stinging insects are most active during the late spring, summer, summer and early fall, and insect repellents do not work against stinging insects.
Yellow jackets nest in the ground and in walls. Hornets and wasps nest in bushes, trees and on buildings. Use extreme caution when working or playing in these areas. Avoid open garbage cans and exposed food at picnics, which attract yellow jackets. Also, try to reduce the amount of exposed skin when outdoors.
Effective methods for insecticide treatment of fire ant mounds use attractant baits. These baits often contain soybean oil and corn grits combined with chemical agents. The bait is picked up by the worker ants and taken deeper into the mound to the queen. It can take weeks for these insecticides to work.
Life-threatening allergic reactions can progress very rapidly and require immediate medical attention. Emergency treatment usually includes administration of certain drugs, such as epinephrine, antihistamines, and in some cases, corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, oxygen and other treatments. Once stabilized, these patients sometimes require close observation in the hospital overnight.
For your safety and health, it is important to know if you have an insect allergy. Contact the Sinus Institute of Atlanta today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.