Insect Allergy
Definition
| Insect Bites |
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Causes
- Honeybees
- Yellow jackets
- Hornets
- Wasps
- Fire ants
- Blackflies
- Fleas
- Horseflies
- Mosquitoes
- Kissing bugs
- Cockroaches
- Midges
- Lake flies
- Caddis flies
Risk Factors
- Age: young children
- History of other types of allergies, including hay fever
- Family history of allergy
- Occupations that expose you to insects
- Living conditions that expose you to insects or dust-containing insect allergens
Symptoms
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling
- Redness
- Hotness
- Skin rash, hives, itching, swelling in areas away from the sting site
- Swelling of lips, tongue, face, throat, and eyelids
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing
- Dizziness, fainting
- Severe drop in blood pressure
- Respiratory and/or cardiac arrest
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
Diagnosis
- Skin prick test—An extract of the insect's venom or protein is diluted. The dilute is placed on your forearm or back skin. If there is swelling or redness, an allergic reaction may be present. The doctor will make the diagnosis based on the skin test and your history of symptoms. Some skin tests can have a severe allergic reaction. This test should only be used under the supervision of a physician or other trained medical personnel. Severe eczema may make this test hard to interpret.
- RAST or ELISA test—The doctor may order blood tests (RAST or ELISA). These tests measure the level of insect-specific IgE in the blood. IgE is a type of protein that the body produces when it is exposed to something to which it is allergic. The presence of IgE in the blood may indicate an allergy.
Treatment
- Epinephrine —injected immediately in the event of a severe, life-threatening insect sting allergy (anaphylaxis)
- Antihistamine medications—to decrease swelling and itching
- Ice—applied to local area of sting or bite to decrease swelling
- Corticosteroid medications—for more severe swelling, itching, nasal congestion, and sneezing
- Bronchodilators—inhalers that can be used to decrease asthma -like symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath
- Venom immunotherapy—a series of allergy shots to gradually desensitize you to insect stings; usually for honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, or fire ants
Prevention
- Avoid stinging insects.
- Be very careful when doing yard or garden work. Beware when hiking in the forest.
- Don't walk barefoot.
- Don't wear scented products. Perfumes can attract stinging insects.
- Keep exposed skin to a minimum.
- Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots). These can lessen your reaction to stinging insects
- Carry self-injectable epinephrine and possibly Benadryl for severe reactions.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. These will inform others of your allergy.
- Avoid having carpeting, curtains, or other fabric that may gather dust in your home. This is very important in the room where you sleep.
- Vacuum and wet mop your floors frequently.
- Regularly wash your linens in very hot water.
- Cover mattresses and pillows in allergy-proof covers.
RESOURCES
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology http://www.aaaai.org/
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology http://www.acaai.org/
Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology http://www.jcaai.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
About Kids Health http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References
Adkinson NF. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby-Year Book; 2009.
Insect sting allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology website. Available at: http://www.acaai.org/public/facts/insects.htm . Accessed July 1, 2009.
Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby-Year Book; 1998.
Rank MA, Li JT. Allergen immunotherapy. Mayo Clin Proc . 2007;82:1119-1123.