Insect Sting Allergies

Hymenoptera – a class of insects may inject venom into humans and animals. They include bumble bees, wasps, honeybees, fire ants and yellow jackets.

The venom is largely made of proteins and meant to paralyze or kill other insects. However when they enter the human body they cause allergic reactions which are not fatal

Some people may not be allergic to insect venom or insect sting allergies. For them it may simply cause redness, mild pain, itching or swelling. Applying ice and cleaning the area with a disinfectant may suffice to prevent any further reaction.

Anaphylactic reaction from insect sting could be fatal in many cases. Statistics show that around 500 people are killed annually in USA from severe insect sting allergies.

The venom or allergen invades the human body and causes hypersensitivity reaction or an insect sting allergy. Histamine and other chemical hormones are released by body parts. Immunoglobin E, an antibody is produced by white blood cells. The clinical impact of these antibodies on other body parts is the primary case of allergy.

Wasps, bees have a venom sac and gland called ‘stinger’. Multiple stings cause the volume of venom entering the immune system to be high. This leads to major allergic reactions and may even be fatal in many cases.