Dorothy FarrarInsect venom allergy
With an insect venom allergy , an allergic reaction occurs after a bee or wasp sting. This can manifest itself in varying degrees and, in the worst case, be fatal.
What is insect venom allergy?
Female insects such as bees, wasps, hornets and bumblebees defend themselves against enemies with a venomous sting and this can end badly if the stung person has an insect venom allergy. When stinging, they release the venom under the skin of their victim.
This toxin , which has a different composition depending on the insect species, can cause allergic reactions in humans. The most common are allergies to bee and wasp stings. In rarer cases, however, hornet and bumblebee stings can also trigger an insect venom allergy.
causes
Bee venom contains hyalurinodase, phospholipase A and mellitin. These are the main triggers of an insect venom allergy, the so-called allergens. In addition to hyaluronidase and phospholipase A, wasp venom also contains phospholipase B.In this context, since the animals deliver the poison under the skin, they can bypass a part of the immune system that lies in the skin. The first bee or wasp sting often does not cause an allergic reaction. However, the next sting can cause symptoms of varying severity, triggered by the body’s increased immune response in response to the venom.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of an insect venom allergy:
In people who do not suffer from an insect venom allergy, there is usually only a painful, reddened swelling at the sting site. This usually goes back within a day. Only in some cases do the symptoms last longer than a day and can be accompanied by pain at the sting site and discomfort. In the case of an insect venom allergy, there are physical reactions that do not have to be directly related to the bite site.
The allergy is divided into different degrees of severity. The mildest form causes itching, redness, and swelling. This not only affects the sting site, but especially the face. Severity II can lead to cardiovascular problems . Tachycardia or low blood pressure may occur.
Gastrointestinal problems can also occur. Severity III is characterized by shock combined with shortness of breath and impaired consciousness. In the most severe form of insect venom allergy, anaphylactic shock can lead to respiratory and circulatory arrest. An insect venom allergy can therefore be life-threatening.
Diagnose
To diagnose an insect venom allergy, the doctor treating you first creates an anamnesis. He asks about the number of stings, the type of insect, the symptoms and the course of the reaction to the sting. After that, it can usually be determined whether the body is reacting with an insect venom allergy. A skin test is required for further diagnostics and to be able to narrow down which insect venom the reaction occurs to. Small doses of the various insecticides are applied to the skin and observed to see whether this leads to an allergic reaction. A blood test can also be used to determine whether the body is producing specific antibodies against one of the allergens.
complications
Whether an insect venom allergy such as a bee allergy or wasp allergy leads to complications depends on whether appropriate therapy is given at an early stage. The sooner the allergy is treated, the lower the probability of serious consequences. Complications from an insect venom allergy are possible, especially with bites in the mouth and throat region. There is a risk of swelling of the mouth or throat, so prompt treatment is required. This includes cooling the affected area by sucking on an ice cube.
The most serious consequence of an allergy to insect venom is allergic shock, also known as anaphylactic shock. Doctors refer to it as a type I immediate reaction. The poison spreads over the whole body of the affected person. In such cases, patients must be taken to a hospital immediately or an ambulance called.
An allergic shock is noticeable through various symptoms. Tingling or burning of the tongue or throat, nausea, breathing difficulties, dizziness, headaches, rhinoconjunctivitis and cardiovascular problems are considered classic reactions.
As the disease progresses, there is a risk of even more severe symptoms such as an intense feeling of weakness, anxiety, tachycardia, cramps, vomiting, narrowing of the airways and spontaneous leakage of urine or stool. Eventually, the affected person loses consciousness. In extreme cases, the allergic shock even ends with the death of the patient. The faster the symptoms are triggered by the insect venom allergy, the more severe the course of the complications.
treatment and therapy
If an insect bite occurs, with or without an insect allergy, the stinger should be removed as soon as possible. This can be done with your fingernail or tweezers. The poison sac on the sting should not be pressed if possible, otherwise other allergens can get under the skin and intensify the allergic reaction.
Ointments containing glucocorticoids help to treat redness, swelling or itching at the injection site. Some ice or a cool, damp cloth will also help relieve symptoms. An antihistamine in pill form will help against an allergic reaction. In more severe cases, glucocorticoids can be administered. If you have a known insect venom allergy that leads to systemic reactions, you should always carry an emergency kit with you.
This consists of an antihistamine, an oral glucocorticoid and an adrenaline injection . If taking the antihistamine and the glucocorticoid cannot sufficiently contain the allergic reaction, the adrenaline is injected into the muscles with the help of a special injector. Hyposensitization is recommended for those affected who have already reacted to an insect bite with a grade II allergic reaction.This is also recommended for people who have a known allergy to insect venom and who are at increased risk of further bites. In the case of hyposensitization, a specialist in allergology injects the insecticide into the patient over a longer period of time. It starts with a very low dosage that is gradually increased. In many cases, desensitization is successful in the long term for the treatment of the allergy.
prevention
To prevent insect bites and associated insect venom allergy, eating and drinking outdoors should be avoided. Meat and sweets in particular attract insects. A body cover with long clothing that should not be brightly colored also helps.Walking barefoot or open shoes should be avoided. Insect screens on the windows help prevent biting insects from entering the house. Hitting at bees and wasps or making hasty movements should be avoided, as the animals can react aggressively and the risk of a sting increases.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.