Insect Venom Allergy: What to Do?

Even without an insect venom allergy, an insect bite can be unpleasant. For allergy sufferers, however, such a sting can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to react quickly in an emergency. What to do in case of a sting, how hyposensitization can help and how you can best protect yourself from an insect sting, you will learn below.

What to do after an insect bite?

If you have been stung despite all precautions, the first thing to do is not to panic.

  • Remove the sting as soon as possible, but carefully – preferably with tweezers, if necessary by scraping.
  • Cool the area afterwards with ice cubes or cold water.
  • Anti-allergic ointments can relieve the itching, also a cut onion, pressed on the sting, does a good job.
  • If you have a homeopathic medicine cabinet, Apis should be the remedy of choice.

First measures in case of known insect venom allergy.

If you have a known allergy, the following measures apply after a sting:

  • Immediately apply your emergency kit prescribed by your doctor.
  • Lie on your back, elevate your legs.
  • If necessary, notify the emergency physician.

In general, a doctor should be consulted after any allergic reaction – no matter how minor. But take a companion with you – you could pass out!

What to do if you have a known allergy to insect venom?

If an allergy has already occurred, the doctor will prescribe an emergency kit that allows the affected person to react directly on the spot. It primarily contains a syringe or spray of epinephrine to combat respiratory and circulatory symptoms, as well as cortisone and antihistamines. Many people are not aware of the potential danger of an allergy and do not seek medical attention, or seek it late. If you have ever developed reddened swellings, severe itching or even developed circulatory problems (weakness, drowsiness, dizziness), nausea or a feeling of tightness after being stung by a wasp, bee or hornet, you should definitely consult a doctor with allergy expertise as a preventive measure.

Hyposensitization to insect venom

An established treatment option for bee or wasp venom allergy is hyposensitization, also known as specific immunotherapy (SIT) or allergy vaccination. The doctor first does an allergy test to find out exactly what the patient is allergic to. In a subsequent consultation, it is decided whether hyposensitization is an option. In this method, the corresponding toxin is injected under the skin in a highly diluted form in slowly increasing doses (subcutaneous immunotherapy = SCIT) or – as a newer method – instilled under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy = SLIT). This stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the toxin. In this way, the organism reacts less and less sensitively to it over time. The aim of hyposensitization is to reduce the sensitivity of the allergy sufferer to insect venom and to ensure protection that lasts as long as possible. The success rate of therapy for wasp and bee venom allergy is 90%.

11 Tips to protect yourself from insect bites

Of course, it’s best to avoid getting stung in the first place. These tips will help you prevent an insect bite:

  1. Don’t make any frantic movements when a bee or wasp approaches, and don’t blow on them.
  2. Do not walk barefoot in the grass, because bees and wasps like to stay on the ground.
  3. Protect yourself from insect bites with long-sleeved clothing and pants.
  4. Be careful with open beverage cans – a bee or wasp may have gotten lost in them. For glasses and cups, there are special attachments in the trade to avoid this.
  5. Strongly scented cosmetics attract insects as well as sweat.
  6. Avoid bright colors and floral patterns on clothes – these also attract insects.
  7. Sweets should be locked away immediately after eating.
  8. Always apply insect repellent before going outside.
  9. Outdoor litter baskets attract bees and wasps.
  10. Keep windows closed in your bedroom or install insect screens.
  11. Be careful when picking fruit, as wasps often hang out near fallen fruit.

You should be careful especially with children. Also explain to you what to consider when dealing with insects. As an allergy sufferer, you must always take your emergency first aid kit in the summer months. You should be confident in its use – otherwise, get another referral from your doctor. Inform family, friends and colleagues of your allergy and explain to them what to do in an emergency.