The German Allergy Association estimates that about one to five percent of all adults in Germany have an insect venom allergy. Another quarter react to bee and wasp stings with an exaggerated immune response, usually in the form of red swelling and pain. Among children, up to 50 percent suffer from a severe reaction to insect stings.
When a bee or wasp stings, it injects venom into the skin with its stinger. This is not only painful but also causes mild swelling and intense itching in most people. These normal symptoms are harmless.
People with allergies, however, react to the venom with a severe immune response: the body mobilizes all its defenses to fight off certain protein components in the insect venom.
Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, it can even lead to life-threatening disturbances in the cardiovascular system.
An insect venom allergy develops only after the first sting and is not present from birth. How long it takes and when the first allergic reaction occurs can vary greatly.
With each sting, the body’s immune system remembers the foreign substances from the venom. The immune system then attacks these allergens with everything it has. Experts refer to this type of overreaction as an insect venom allergy.
Common triggers include stings from:
- wasps
- Bees
- Hornets (in cases of existing wasp venom allergy)
- Very rarely, stings from bumblebees, ants, or mosquitoes
Those affected usually experience swelling around the sting site. In the case of an allergic reaction, the swelling is very severe. It can be more than ten centimeters in diameter and last for about 24 hours. This swelling is accompanied by severe pain, a burning sensation, or extreme itching.
Swelling under the skin is particularly dangerous when hornets or bees sting in the area of the mouth and throat. The airways can swell shut, and in extreme cases, there is an acute risk of suffocation.
An anaphylactic reaction, also known as anaphylactic shock, can affect the entire body. The range of immune reactions to the venom varies widely, from mild to life-threatening symptoms.
The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction to insect venom:
Whether a person has an allergic reaction to insect venom depends on many factors. Insect venoms contain various allergens to which people with allergies react strongly.
- Previous allergic reactions, for example, can trigger the development of an allergy. Anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to insect venom is more likely to experience another reaction upon the next sting.
- People who have been stung frequently by hornets, bees, or wasps are also more likely to develop an insect venom allergy. Occupationally, this affects, for example, beekeepers, farmers, gardeners, and vendors of fruit, ice cream, desserts, or baked goods.
- The risk of an insect venom allergy increases with age.
- In addition, certain pre-existing conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, or mastocytosis can increase the risk of an insect venom allergy.
- Last but not least, certain medications can exacerbate allergic symptoms: beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, for example, can significantly increase an individual’s risk.
If you suspect an insect venom allergy, you should see a doctor immediately; if you have severe symptoms, call emergency services right away.
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will ask you which insect stung you and what symptoms you’ve experienced so far. They’ll also inquire about previous allergic reactions, chronic conditions, medications, and other allergies. This is followed by a physical examination, blood tests, and a prick test.
The prick test is a skin test that experts use to diagnose certain allergies @ Alexander Raths /AdobeStock
- People with allergies should, of course, avoid insect stings altogether. If a sting does occur, a first responder or doctor will remove the stinger from the skin.
- Afterward, you should cool the sting site and use cooling ointments to relieve the itching.
- Antihistamines can help with severe reactions; afterward, you should consult a doctor.
- If you are stung by a wasp in the mouth or throat, you should immediately go to a doctor’s office or call emergency services.
- In the event of a severe allergic reaction, observation in a hospital is necessary. More severe reactions could also occur later on.
- People with allergies should always carry an emergency kit with them. It should contain a bronchodilator spray, an epinephrine auto-injector for circulatory problems, and antihistamines. These medications can be administered by bystanders or the affected person until emergency services arrive.
- In the long term, specific immunotherapy may be an option in some cases to reduce the severity of the insect venom allergy. For desensitization, you must know the exact trigger. During desensitization, the doctor administers small amounts of the allergen via injection over an extended period of time. This trains the immune system to cope with the allergen. Desensitization sometimes takes several years. While it can alleviate the allergy, it cannot completely eliminate it.
An insect venom allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to the venom of wasps, bees, or hornets. The sting site swells significantly. Further allergic reactions usually follow quickly. In the case of an anaphylactic reaction, symptoms can occur anywhere on the body and vary in severity.
Insect venom allergy affects about two percent of the adult population. Older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk.
The most important preventive measure is to avoid provoking insects in order to prevent stings. If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical help immediately.
