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 Insect Sting AllergyFor most people, an insect sting means a little pain and discomfort. But some people may have trouble breathing or itch and have hives all over their body after being stung. These people are allergic to insect stings. This means that their immune system overreacts to the insect's venom. Most allergic insect sting reactions are caused by five kinds of insects:
For people who are very allergic to an insect's venom, a sting may cause a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis). Signs of anaphylaxis include:
If you are stung by an insect and experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. You should also seek follow-up care from an allergist/immunologist. To find an allergist/immunologist near you, use the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory. If you are allergic to insect stings, you can reduce your risk of having an allergic reaction by staying indoors during insect season and always carrying autoinjectable epinephrine. You can also talk to your allergist/immunologist about receiving immunotherapy, which can protect you the next time you are stung by an insect.
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