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BEE STING ALLERGY
venomphoto1One to two million Americans have reactions to stinging insect venoms (honeybees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants) each year. These allergic reactions may present as localized reactions such as burning, itching or swelling at the site of the sting; generalized welts (hives); itchy eyes and throat; nasal congestion; tightness in the throat or chest; coughing; wheezing; shortness of breath; nausea and vomiting; lightheadedness; fainting; and in extreme cases, death from severe shock or suffocation from throat or bronchial swelling. There are at least 40 fatalities per year in the U.S. from allergy to stinging insects.
venomphoto1One to two million Americans have reactions to stinging insect venoms (honeybees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants) each year. These allergic reactions may present as localized reactions such as burning, itching or swelling at the site of the sting; generalized welts (hives); itchy eyes and throat; nasal congestion; tightness in the throat or chest; coughing; wheezing; shortness of breath; nausea and vomiting; lightheadedness; fainting; and in extreme cases, death from severe shock or suffocation from throat or bronchial swelling. There are at least 40 fatalities per year in the U.S. from allergy to stinging insects.
Treatment of Acute Severe Reactions
Prompt administration of adrenalin (epinephrine) into an arm or leg muscle, usually with a pre-loaded auto-injectable syringe such as EpiPen or Twinject, coupled by administration of rapidly-acting antihistamine such a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are most effective, with emergency medical attention to follow ASAP.
Curative Treatment
Immunotherapy involves the injection of gradually progressive doses of purified bee venom(s) into allergic individuals. Over time, these injections reduce the body's allergic reactions to insect stings.
How does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy works through several mechanisms. It decreases cellular allergic responses, decreases sensitizing antibody (IgE) and increases your tolerance to the venom.
Benefits of Venom Immunotherapy
Patients who have received treatment with venom immunotherapy have a less than 5% reaction recurrence rate following a challenge sting (and these are usually mild and consist of hives.) The chance of a reaction if not treated is 60%. The only alternative to venom immunotherapy is avoidance of stinging insects and carrying epinephrine; however, these alternatives do not protect you from the unpredictable stings and from not having epinephrine available. Bee sting immunotherapy has proven to be nearly 98% effective in preventing fatal bee sting reactions.
For more information, click HERE.
Prompt administration of adrenalin (epinephrine) into an arm or leg muscle, usually with a pre-loaded auto-injectable syringe such as EpiPen or Twinject, coupled by administration of rapidly-acting antihistamine such a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are most effective, with emergency medical attention to follow ASAP.
Curative Treatment
Immunotherapy involves the injection of gradually progressive doses of purified bee venom(s) into allergic individuals. Over time, these injections reduce the body's allergic reactions to insect stings.
How does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy works through several mechanisms. It decreases cellular allergic responses, decreases sensitizing antibody (IgE) and increases your tolerance to the venom.
Benefits of Venom Immunotherapy
Patients who have received treatment with venom immunotherapy have a less than 5% reaction recurrence rate following a challenge sting (and these are usually mild and consist of hives.) The chance of a reaction if not treated is 60%. The only alternative to venom immunotherapy is avoidance of stinging insects and carrying epinephrine; however, these alternatives do not protect you from the unpredictable stings and from not having epinephrine available. Bee sting immunotherapy has proven to be nearly 98% effective in preventing fatal bee sting reactions.
For more information, click HERE.