Insect Stings and Bites

Most insect stings cause only local pain and swelling — but for allergic patients, venom from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants can trigger serious, even life-threatening reactions. Stinging insect allergy causes dozens of deaths each year in the United States, and severe reactions can occur even in people whose previous stings were mild.

Common symptoms

• Large local swelling beyond the sting site
• Hives, itching or flushing over the body
• Swelling of the throat or tongue
• Dizziness, rapid pulse or drop in blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing — anaphylaxis requires immediate epinephrine and emergency care

Diagnosis & treatment

Venom testing identifies which insects a patient is allergic to. Anyone who has had a systemic reaction should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times. Venom immunotherapy is one of the most effective treatments in allergy — it reduces the risk of a future severe reaction to near that of the general population, and Dr. Rollins can determine whether you are a candidate.