When an insect stings you, it’s normal to experience mild redness, swelling, and itching around the sting site. However, an insect sting allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to the insect venom, resulting in an allergic reaction that can cause symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.
The allergy specialists at UPMC offer diagnostic testing and treatment for children and adults with insect sting allergies. Our specialists provide comprehensive education and treatment to help you understand and manage your insect sting allergies.
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What Are Insect Sting Allergies?
When an insect stings you, it’s normal to develop mild redness, swelling, and itching around the site of the sting. However, an insect sting allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to the insect venom, leading to an allergic reaction that causes symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.
What are the types of insect sting allergies?
Several types of insect stings can lead to allergic reactions, including:
- Fire ants.
- Honeybees and bumble bees.
- Hornets.
- Wasps.
- Yellow jackets.
How common are insect sting allergies?
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology estimates that between 1.6% and 5.1% of people in the U.S. have experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to an insect sting.
What causes insect sting allergies?
Insect sting allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to insect venom. This reaction causes your body to release a chemical called histamine, leading to allergy symptoms. Insect sting allergies usually develop after your body becomes sensitized to insect venom from a previous sting.
Insect sting allergy risk factors
If you have had an allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past, you are more likely to have a similar or more severe reaction if you are stung in the future. Adults are also more likely to have a severe reaction to insect stings than children.
Other risk factors for insect sting allergies include:
- A family history of severe insect sting reactions.
- Being male.
- Being older.
- Having a condition called mastocytosis, which causes an elevated mast cell count.
- High baseline serum tryptase (BST) levels, which can be associated with an elevated mast cell count.
Complications of insect sting allergies
Insect sting allergies can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to:
- A sharp drop in blood pressure.
- Cardiac arrest.
- Dizziness.
- Loss of consciousness.
How can I prevent insect sting allergies?
There is nothing you can do to prevent insect sting allergies. After allergies have developed, you can reduce your risk of allergic reactions by following your allergy treatment plan and taking steps to avoid insect stings.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insect Sting Allergies?
When an insect stings you, it’s normal to develop mild redness, swelling, and itching around the site of the sting. However, if you have symptoms that affect other areas of your body, you may be having an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction after an insect sting range from mild to severe and may include:
- Chest tightness.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.
- Hoarse voice or swelling of your tongue or throat.
- Itching, swelling, or hives in an area other than the sting site.
When should I see a doctor about my insect sting allergy symptoms?
Allergic reactions to insect stings can cause life-threatening symptoms that require emergency treatment. If you have severe symptoms of an allergic reaction after an insect sting, dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
You should schedule an appointment with an allergist as soon as possible after any type of insect sting allergic reaction, including one that only causes mild symptoms. Even if your symptoms are mild, having one allergic reaction puts you at higher risk of having a more severe reaction to a future sting. A board-certified allergist can diagnose your insect sting allergy and help you develop a treatment plan to reduce the risk of future reactions and complications.
How Do You Diagnose Insect Sting Allergies?
To diagnose insect sting allergies, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and order skin and/or blood tests.
What to expect during your visit
If your doctor suspects insect sting allergies, they will:
- Perform a physical exam.
- Ask you about your symptoms.
- Order skin and/or blood tests.
Tests to diagnose insect sting allergies
Your doctor may order tests to diagnose insect sting allergies, including:
- Blood tests — Blood tests measure the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that are specific to certain allergens. Although blood tests are not as exact as skin tests, your doctor may use them in combination with skin tests to diagnose and treat your allergy.
- Skin testing — Also called scratch testing, skin testing exposes your skin to small amounts of allergy-causing substances (allergens), such as insect venom.
Insect sting allergy prognosis
Insect sting allergies and related complications can be treated with medication, allergy shots, and allergy drops.
How Do You Treat Insect Sting Allergies?
The goals of insect sting allergy treatment are to reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions and prevent complications. Treatment options for insect sting allergies may include:
Patient education for insect sting allergies
Our specialists provide the education and information you need to manage your insect sting allergies, including:
- Developing an allergy action plan.
- Recommendations on avoiding allergy triggers and preventing allergic reactions.
- Training on administering emergency medications.
Medication for insect sting allergies
Medications may help control or prevent mild allergy symptoms but may not be suitable if you have a severe or life-threatening allergy.
Epinephrine (EpiPen or Auvi-Q) for insect sting allergies
If you are at risk of experiencing a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, your doctor may prescribe an injectable emergency medication called epinephrine.
Epinephrine is given at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction, followed by emergency medical treatment. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on when and how to use epinephrine.
Medications for mild insect sting allergy symptoms
If your insect sting allergy symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications. Before taking any allergy medication, ask your doctor if it is safe for you.
Allergy medications include:
- Antihistamines — Block the effects of histamine and are available over the counter or by prescription. Your doctor may recommend pills, eye drops, injections, liquid medication, or nasal sprays.
- Corticosteroids — Treat inflammation and are available as creams, lotions, ointments, eye drops, nasal sprays, inhalers, pills, and injections.
- Decongestants — Treat a stuffy nose and are available as nasal sprays and pills.
- Leukotriene inhibitors — Prevent allergic responses.
Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) for insect sting allergies
Allergy shots are injections that contain a small dose of certain allergens or substances that trigger allergic reactions, such as insect venom. They are given at regular intervals to prevent or reduce allergic reactions.
With each shot, your health care provider will increase the dose of allergens. This helps your immune system get used to the allergens and may eventually cause your allergy symptoms to decrease.
Sublingual immunotherapy treatment (SLIT) for insect sting allergies
An alternative to allergy shots, SLIT involves placing liquid drops containing small amounts of allergens under your tongue. This treatment, also known as allergy drops, can be used to treat certain types of insect sting allergies.
Why Choose UPMC for Insect Sting Allergy Care?
When you choose UPMC for insect sting allergy care, you will receive:
- Access to world-class allergy and immunology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat all types of allergies using the latest approaches and therapies.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer evidence-based allergy treatments that improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of complications.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with primary care providers, ear, nose, and throat specialists, and other medical experts to provide complete care that optimizes your quality of life.
