There are some people who are allergic to insect stings; this means that their immune systems overreact to the venom injected by a stinging insect.
The venom of stinging insects contains several chemicals which, when introduced through a sting, triggers the release of histamine causing local tissue damage and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.
After the first sting, the allergic person's body produces an allergic substance called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which reacts with the insect venom.
If he or she is stung again by an insect of the same or similar species, the insect venom interacts with the IgE antibody produced in response to the earlier sting.
The resulting tissue damage is largely responsible for the pain, swelling, redness, and itching that we experience at the site of a sting.
Although most local reactions are mild and cause swelling and inflammation localized around the sting site, the area of swelling and inflammation can be quite large.
For example, one may be stung on the finger, yet the swelling may progress to include the entire arm.
Both of these reactions, by virtue of the fact that they are contiguous with the sting site, are considered local allergic reactions.
For a small number of people with severe venom allergy, stings may be life-threatening; insects belonging to the class Hymenoptera are capable of injecting venom into humans and animals.
Severe allergic reactions to insect stings can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly.
This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include itching and hives over large areas of the body, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea.
In severe cases, a rapid fall in blood pressure may result in shock and loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, and may be fatal.
If you or anyone else experiences any of these symptoms after an insect sting, obtain emergency medical treatment immediately.
After your symptoms are treated in the emergency room, you should also obtain referral to an allergist/immunologist to learn about treatment options.
Insect-sting or insect-bite venom can be among the most dangerous allergens.
Most people who are stung by bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants have little to fear.
At worst, these individuals may experience mild pain, swelling and itching at the site of the sting.
An individual does not suffer an allergic reaction the first time they are stung by an insect.
Instead, the initial encounter leads to sensitization, in which the immune system overreacts to the insect venom and creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight it.
These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction the next time the body encounters the insect venom.
The next time a person is stung, these antibodies cause mast cells to release chemicals such as histamine, which can cause inflammation within the body.
Highly allergic individuals may experience anaphylaxis, in which fluid leaks from the bloodstream into the tissues, causing swelling and lowering blood pressure.
Bronchial tissues may also swell, causing breathing difficulties.
Stinging insects found in the United States include honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and fire ants.
While not everyone is allergic to insect venom, reactions in the skin such as mild pain, swelling, and redness may occur with an insect sting.
Most sting reactions are caused by five types of insects: yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants.
However, those with allergies to the venom are likely to experience more pronounced effects.
A mild allergic reaction may result in nausea, greater swelling and other discomforts.
At the other extreme, a rare reaction called anaphylactic shock can impair breathing and heart functions, leading to death in some victims.
Unfortunately, most people do not know that they are allergic until after they experience an allergic reaction.
It is better to destroy the hive or nest of the familiar insects causing the allergy.
The insects usually bite when disturbed so it is better to move away slowly as you encounter any flying stinging insect.
The venom of stinging insects contains several chemicals which, when introduced through a sting, triggers the release of histamine causing local tissue damage and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.
After the first sting, the allergic person's body produces an allergic substance called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which reacts with the insect venom.
If he or she is stung again by an insect of the same or similar species, the insect venom interacts with the IgE antibody produced in response to the earlier sting.
The resulting tissue damage is largely responsible for the pain, swelling, redness, and itching that we experience at the site of a sting.
Although most local reactions are mild and cause swelling and inflammation localized around the sting site, the area of swelling and inflammation can be quite large.
For example, one may be stung on the finger, yet the swelling may progress to include the entire arm.
Both of these reactions, by virtue of the fact that they are contiguous with the sting site, are considered local allergic reactions.
For a small number of people with severe venom allergy, stings may be life-threatening; insects belonging to the class Hymenoptera are capable of injecting venom into humans and animals.
Severe allergic reactions to insect stings can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly.
This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include itching and hives over large areas of the body, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea.
In severe cases, a rapid fall in blood pressure may result in shock and loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, and may be fatal.
If you or anyone else experiences any of these symptoms after an insect sting, obtain emergency medical treatment immediately.
After your symptoms are treated in the emergency room, you should also obtain referral to an allergist/immunologist to learn about treatment options.
Insect-sting or insect-bite venom can be among the most dangerous allergens.
Most people who are stung by bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants have little to fear.
At worst, these individuals may experience mild pain, swelling and itching at the site of the sting.
An individual does not suffer an allergic reaction the first time they are stung by an insect.
Instead, the initial encounter leads to sensitization, in which the immune system overreacts to the insect venom and creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight it.
These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction the next time the body encounters the insect venom.
The next time a person is stung, these antibodies cause mast cells to release chemicals such as histamine, which can cause inflammation within the body.
Highly allergic individuals may experience anaphylaxis, in which fluid leaks from the bloodstream into the tissues, causing swelling and lowering blood pressure.
Bronchial tissues may also swell, causing breathing difficulties.
Stinging insects found in the United States include honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and fire ants.
While not everyone is allergic to insect venom, reactions in the skin such as mild pain, swelling, and redness may occur with an insect sting.
Most sting reactions are caused by five types of insects: yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants.
However, those with allergies to the venom are likely to experience more pronounced effects.
A mild allergic reaction may result in nausea, greater swelling and other discomforts.
At the other extreme, a rare reaction called anaphylactic shock can impair breathing and heart functions, leading to death in some victims.
Unfortunately, most people do not know that they are allergic until after they experience an allergic reaction.
It is better to destroy the hive or nest of the familiar insects causing the allergy.
The insects usually bite when disturbed so it is better to move away slowly as you encounter any flying stinging insect.