To prevent reaction to insect venoms, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Disease-related risk factors.
Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Insect bite
Risk factors of frequent bee/wasp sting exposure
Biographic risk factors
- Occupations
- Beekeeper
- Bakery salesman
- Construction worker
- Firefighter
- Gardener
- Farmers
- Truck drivers
- Fruit seller
- Forestry worker
- Family members/neighborhood of beekeepers
Behavioral risk factors
- Outdoor activities
Risk factors for severe anaphylaxis
Behavioral risk factors
- Psychosocial situation
- Physical/psychological stress situations
Medication
- Beta-blockers (including eye drops) – group of drugs used to lower blood pressure such as metoprolol.
- ACE inhibitors – drug group for lowering blood pressure such as enalapril.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (link not yet definitively proven).
Other risk factors
- Mild earlier sting reactions are considered an independent risk factor for later severe anaphylaxis
The following measures may be helpful in avoiding bee/wasp stings:
- In the open air no consumption of food and drink.
- Wash mouth and hands after eating.
- Do not drink from bottles / beverage cans.
- Cover drinking glasses.
- Use drinking straws.
- Do not pick fruit / flowers
- Avoid staying near trash cans, animal enclosures, fallen fruit.
- Do not use perfumed cosmetics / perfumes.
- Do not scare away insects (with frantic movements).
- Cover the skin with (light) clothing, do not wear open shoes (repellents do not protect!).
- Do not walk without shoes.
- Wear open bike helmets with a net.
- Keep windows and doors closed during the day when insect nets are not installed.
- No light in the evening with the window open
- Avoid hives / wasps nests.
- If necessary, use wasp traps / repellent sprays.
- In case of attack by wasps/bees, withdraw slowly, cover head with arms/clothing, no frantic movements.
Note: insects are aggressive on humid days.
