Common Insect Allergies

If you are in the Salt Lake City Utah area and you can schedule an allergy doctor appointment or contact us with any of your allergy related questions.

It is estimated that about two million people in America are allergic to insect stings. Most common allergic reactions occur to wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, bees, red or black fire ants and mosquitos. With the exception of fire ants, these insects are found throughout the United States. Fire ants are currently only in the Southeastern United States, although they are spreading quickly. The majority of people will have a reaction to stings or bites from these pests. Most stings occur during the summer or fall months.

Common reactions are generally limited to histamine release at the site of the bite or sting resulting in localized swelling. These reactions are not considered to be allergic and local care is all that is required. Discomfort can be alleviated by washing of the site along with careful removal of the stinger if one has been left behind. Following this local antihistamine creams or ointments can be applied along with an ice pack. Occasionally secondary infection may need to be treated by antibiotics.

More severe reactions are considered allergic. There are more than 500,000 emergency room visits reported every year as a result of insect bites and stings. On average, 40 people per year die from anaphylactic shock reaction to insect allergies. Anaphylactic shock is a severe reaction comprised of dizziness, a sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness and finally cardiac arrest. People who have known allergies to insect stings are strongly advised to carry epinephrine with them as an emergency treatment. The most common forms of portable epinephrine are the EpiPen and Twinject. These are available by prescription and need to be monitored by a qualified doctor. Less severe allergic reactions include hives, itching, swelling in areas other than the site of the bite, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, hoarseness and swelling of the tongue. Unfortunately, people have a 60% chance of having a similar or worse reaction the second time they are stung. Therefore, your second exposure can quite possibly be more severe and may even be life threatening. Reactions generally occur within minutes of the sting or bite however it can take up to 24 hours for symptoms to fully develop.

There are a few steps that can be taken to avoid insect stings. These include:

• Use of an insect repellant
• Avoid wearing bright colors. Insects get their food from flowers and other brightly colored plants. Wearing khaki, green, tan or other light colored, neutral clothing does not attract them as much as brighter and darker hues.
• When eating outdoors, keep food covered. Don’t drink out of an open soda can that has been left sitting out as insects will often climb into the can and will sting you when you take a drink.
• Avoid strong scented or sweetly scented perfumes, aftershaves, colognes, hair sprays etc. These scents often mimic the scents that flowers put out to attract insects.
• Wear clean clothing and maintain good hygiene. For some reason, sweat seems to aggravate bees.
• Cover as much of the body as possible.
• Don’t swat at the insect, rather remain calm and walk away. If you are driving, pull over and open the windows to allow the insect to escape.
• Locate and have professionals remove insect nests in the spring.

Taking these steps to avoid exposure to insects is an important first step in avoiding stings and the allergies associated with them. If you are stung or bitten, obtain immediate medical attention and continue to take steps in the future to avoid repeat exposure.