Numerous people suffer from wasp venom allergy by having severe reactions as a result of a simple wasp sting. What exactly is wasp venom allergy? What are its causes? And how can wasp venom allergy be successfully treated?
What is wasp venom allergy?
A wasp venom allergy is an allergic reaction to the sting of a wasp, sometimes resulting in life-threatening effects. Normally, a wasp sting causes a short-lasting pain, and the sting site becomes red and slightly swollen. However, people who suffer from wasp venom allergy are much more sensitive. They experience skin rashes, sweating, dizziness, nausea and palpitations as a result of the sting. In the worst case, anaphylactic shock develops, which can lead to respiratory arrest. An allergy to wasp venom is often not diagnosed until after the second sting. If a child or even an adult shows correspondingly severe symptoms after a wasp sting, a doctor should be consulted in any case in order to take therapeutic measures against the wasp venom allergy.
Causes
The trigger of wasp venom allergy is the venom of the wasp. This venom contains certain proteins against which people suffering from wasp venom allergy form special antibodies. This happens already after the first wasp sting. However, an allergic reaction of the body occurs only after the second sting. The renewed contact with the venom triggers a strong immune reaction and hypersensitivity, which are manifested in the symptoms typical of wasp venom allergy. The patient sweats profusely, feels dizzy and nauseous, his heart races and the skin also reacts by forming a rash. This exaggerated defensive reaction is triggered by the body’s own messenger substance histamine, which is released in far too large quantities as a result of wasp venom allergy.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms that appear after a wasp sting can vary greatly, depending on how severe the allergy is in a patient. After a wasp sting, local skin reactions usually occur first. Oedema usually forms at the site of the sting, leading to swelling of the skin. The swelling is almost always accompanied by reddening of the skin and itching. The itching can assume proportions that are enormously stressful for the patient. The two primary symptoms, i.e. the swelling and the reddening of the skin, are usually aggravated by the constant scratching. However, these accompanying symptoms occur in many people after a wasp sting and therefore do not yet indicate an allergy to the wasp venom. In sensitive patients, there are additional symptoms. Often there is a burning pain in the area of the sting. Allergy sufferers often experience nausea in combination with vomiting after the sting. However, a patient’s life is only in danger if symptoms occur that indicate a severe allergy. These include in particular shortness of breath, dizziness and acute anxiety. These symptoms are often the first signs of anaphylactic shock. In this case, a circulatory collapse must be expected, which can lead to the death of the patient.
Diagnosis and course
If a person suffering from wasp venom allergy is stung by a wasp, he or she will have a much larger swelling than would normally be the case. The swelling in a wasp venom allergy is about ten centimeters in diameter and does not subside after a few hours, but sometimes lasts for one to two days. If these symptoms remain, it is called a mild wasp venom allergy. A moderately severe wasp venom allergy brings reddening of the skin and wheals with it, in addition eyelids and lips swell, gastrointestinal cramps occur, which often also leads to diarrhea and vomiting. In this case, a doctor should be consulted without fail. A severe wasp venom allergy is present when there are severe respiratory and circulatory problems, shortness of breath and palpitations are present, and the patient’s blood pressure drops rapidly. This situation can be life-threatening, as a so-called anaphylactic shock is possible, which can lead to unconsciousness or even cardiac arrest. Immediate help by an emergency physician is required here.If these three types of reactions have not been previously diagnosed with wasp venom allergy, it is important to answer the following questions for accurate diagnosis. Did the sting actually come from a wasp or is a bee or hornet also a possibility? How much time passed after the sting before the allergic reaction manifested itself? How exactly did the symptoms manifest themselves? Is this the first time such a reaction has occurred after being stung by a wasp? To clearly confirm the diagnosis of wasp venom allergy, additional skin tests and, if necessary, a blood test are performed in the clinic or at the doctor’s office.
Complications
Wasp venom allergy leads to complications mainly when the affected person not only has a severe local reaction to the sting, but the wasp sting affects the entire body. The most serious complication associated with wasp venom allergy is possible anaphylactic shock. It effectively leads to circulatory failure and organ failure, and without emergency medical care, means the death of the affected person. Although anaphylactic shock can be treated in the hospital, secondary damage is possible. A very mild wasp venom allergy, which manifests itself mainly in the development of a large swelling, does not lead to any complications. The swelling heals after a few days at the latest. A moderately severe form of wasp venom allergy, in which there is still severe pain, wheal formation, swelling in the face or stomach and intestinal problems, can lead to complications if the reactions are very severe. This means the need for treatment. Above all, the injection site is relevant: The mouth area is much more susceptible than the thigh, for example. Furthermore, complications can arise due to the symptoms of an allergic reaction itself – for example in the form of falls as a result of fainting, or scratched and inflamed skin areas due to itchy redness.
When should you see a doctor?
If swelling occurs after a wasp sting, an attempt should be made to remove the venom injected under the skin by the insect sting. Sucking out the wound can help minimize pain or swelling. In addition, the region should be cooled so that relief can be initiated. If the affected person experiences an improvement in health within the next hour, a doctor is not needed. Consultation with a physician, on the other hand, should be initiated as soon as possible if within a few minutes the affected person’s health shows a marked deterioration. If there is severe swelling from the insect bite, acute malaise, and changes in the skin, this is considered a cause for concern. If respiratory activity is impaired, acute action is required. In case of respiratory distress, an ambulance service must be alerted. In addition, first aid measures must be provided by persons present. Disturbances of the heart rhythm, sweating as well as convulsions indicate an allergic reaction. The nearest hospital should be visited immediately. Itching, reddening of the skin, nausea, dizziness and vomiting are further signs for which a doctor should be called for help. Since anaphylactic shock can occur in particularly severe cases, a wasp sting requires a comprehensive response as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of premature death of the affected person.
Treatment and therapy
Patients who know that they suffer from wasp venom allergy should always carry an emergency kit, especially in late summer. Such a kit includes a specific antihistamine, in addition to cortisone and epinephrine. If, despite the great caution that people with wasp venom allergy should always exercise, a sting still occurs, this emergency kit is suitable for the first aid measures. One treatment option for wasp venom allergy is hyposensitization. Here the body is gradually accustomed to the wasp venom by repeatedly being confronted with small, increasing amounts of the venom during the treatment period. This creates immunity to the wasp venom. Hyposensitization has proven to be a successful therapy and works for almost every patient suffering from wasp venom allergy. The duration of treatment stretches over three to five years, but is usually completed with the result that the patient is completely cured of the wasp venom allergy.In addition, there is the possibility of rapid hyposensitization, which takes only a few weeks. This method is only recommended in cases of particularly high allergy risk, as the therapy itself is associated with an increased risk, which requires an inpatient stay during the treatment period. Rapid hyposensitization also frees almost every affected person from their wasp venom allergy.
Prevention
If you know you have a wasp venom allergy and therapy is still ongoing, it is important to avoid wasps as much as possible as a preventive measure. Wasps are particularly active in late summer, so allergy sufferers should be very careful about eating and drinking outdoors at this time, as wasps are particularly attracted to sweet drinks and grilled meats. Overcrowded waste baskets, for example at rest areas or swimming pools, should also be avoided as far as possible, as wasps are particularly fond of these areas. If you want to keep wasps away, a proven household remedy is lemon slices spiked with cloves. Wasps find this smell repulsive. So that you are also protected from possible stings in the house, it is recommended for people who suffer from an allergy to wasp venom to attach insect nets to the windows in the summer.
Aftercare
In the case of wasp venom allergy, sufferers usually have very limited measures or options for aftercare. The disease itself cannot be completely cured and is usually congenital. Therefore, a wasp sting should be avoided as much as possible to prevent complications or other discomfort for the affected person. If a sting should occur, action must be taken quickly. In this case, the affected person must take some medications that can relieve and limit the discomfort. Here, all the doctor’s instructions must be followed to prevent side effects. In some cases, the wasp venom allergy can also be alleviated. It is also recommended that the affected person always carries an emergency kit with him/her so that he/she can take care of him/herself immediately in case of a sting. If such a kit is not available, an emergency doctor should be called or the hospital visited immediately. Wasp venom allergy usually does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person if a possible sting is treated immediately. In summer, especially eating and drinking outdoors should be avoided to avoid attracting the wasps. Further measures of an aftercare are not available to the affected person in case of wasp venom allergy.
This is what you can do yourself
Basically, it is important to avoid the wasps as much as possible. Since wasps are exceedingly active, especially in late summer, allergy sufferers should be very careful during this time, especially when eating and drinking outside – wasps are namely attracted in particular to sweet drinks as well as grilled meat. Also around overfilled waste baskets, as they are to be found for example on rest areas or in swimming pools, a wide circle should be made. In order to keep wasps away, a proven household remedy should be used – lemon slices spiked with cloves. Wasps find this smell repulsive. In order to be adequately protected indoors, people who suffer from wasp venom allergy are recommended to install insect nets on the windows during the warm season of the year. People who are known to suffer from wasp sting allergy should not leave the house without an emergency kit, especially in late summer. Such a kit contains not only a specific antihistamine, but also cortisone and adrenaline. If, despite absolute caution, a wasp sting nevertheless occurs, this emergency kit should be used and be sufficient for first aid measures. Of course, it is important that those affected familiarize themselves with the medication beforehand so that they can use it immediately in an emergency.
