It’s almost impossible to go through life without getting stung by an insect. From ants to bedbugs and deadly hornets, insect stings are painful to humans. But the level of injury varies greatly among species. Arachnids like mites, spiders, and ticks, deliver irritating bites although some may need medical attention. Dangerous insect bites include those of bees which may set off fatal allergic reactions called anaphylaxis.

Mechanism of the reaction

Insect venoms are mainly composed of formic acid that when introduced into the skin, will cause local inflammation. People who are hypersensitive to insect venom have developed antibodies called Immunoglobulin E aimed for the destruction of the foreign material. A series of cellular changes occur that results into either local or systemic reactions. Each person has a different reaction to various insect species. Some people only experience mild itching, redness, pain, and swelling over the bite site while others who are allergic may have mild symptoms to severe anaphylactic reactions characterized by feeling of warmth, swelling of the throat, bronchoconstriction, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and rapid drop in blood pressure within minutes of the sting .

What your Doctor can do for you

Treatment for insect sting depends on the insect that caused the allergic reaction. Bees have stingers than anchor in the skin after you’re stung. This should be removed to prevent more venom to be introduced into the system. The doctor will then prescribe antihistamines and topical corticosteroids to reduce the symptoms while anaphylaxis requires emergency intervention.

What you can do

For the 2 million Americans who are highly sensitive to insect bites/stings, the consequences can be much worse. Therefore, if you know you are allergic to certain species, you should always practice avoidance measures for that insect.

• Keep yourself covered. Summer and autumn have the highest counts of insects in the surroundings. Wear long sleeved shirt when you go out of the house, and always put your shoes on as your feet are also vulnerable to insect attacks—especially when gardening.
• Also, wear plain, light-colored fabric instead of bright and flowery fabrics which appears to attract insects more.
• Go fragrance-free. Perfumes and strong scents also attract insects.
• Always keep food and trash bins covered.
• People who had severe allergic reactions should always carry an emergency kit containing epinephrine with them along with a Medic Alert bracelet for identification.