Cautions About Insect Stings
Summertime is here, and for most people that means an increased likelihood of bee and wasp stings. Usually a sting only causes temporary swelling, pain, and redness at the sting site. Some people are allergic to the bee or wasp venom which can lead to severe reactions that could threaten their life. While not all allergic persons have severe reactions each time they are stung, at least 60% do. Severe reactions can be anything from painful hives, to internal swelling that blocks airways, and collapse of the circulatory system. Even people who are not allergic, if stung by as few as 50 to 100 insects at a time, could experience symptoms that an allergic person could after a single bite.
Initially, oral steroids like methylprednisone (Medrol) are effective at blunting the inflammatory response to the stings. Some reactions are so severe however that epinephrine (Epi-Pen) must be administered to keep the airways open. Venom immunotherapy has been used to desensitize persons at extreme risk of death by administering small amounts of venom over a period of weeks. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you believe you or your children could have severe symptoms, a definite emergency.