Fire ants, honeybees, hornets, paper wasps, and yellow jackets are common outdoor stinging insects that people can be allergic to. Not everyone will have an allergic reaction to these insects when stung, and even if they do, often the reaction is mild and short term. But a small percentage of people (about 5%) have a more serious reaction called anaphylaxis, that can be life-threatening. If you also have asthma, having a stinging insect allergy may carry a greater risk of death from anaphylaxis.
Tips for Avoiding Outdoor Stinging Insects
Stinging insects aren't usually a problem during the colder months of the year, but during the summer when you are more likely to be outdoors doing things such as swimming, hiking and yard work, you may come into closer contact with stinging insects. So, learning how to protect yourself is critical. Here are some tips to lower your risk:
- Don't make yourself attractive to stinging insects. Bright colors and perfumes may attract such pests, so avoid wearing them when you'll be outdoors during the summer. Do your best NOT to look like a flower.
- Keep your shoes on when walking outdoors. Also, avoid walking where bees are buzzing, such as in fields of clover. For even more protection, wear closed toe shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you're outdoors. Don't make yourself an easy target.
- Picnic with care, keeping your drinks and food as inaccessible to insects as possible. Flying, stinging insects are attracted to the smell of food and love to fly into open soda cans and the like.
- Watch out for nesting areas. Many wasp-type flying insects like to build nests under eaves, fence posts, woodpiles, behind shutters and even in trees and shrubs. Don't disturb the nests or knock them down. Fire ants build nests of dirt that can be up to 18 inches tall, so avoid dirt-covered areas too.
- If you do encounter stinging insects, move away from them slowly, and then leave the area. Remaining calm, quiet, and nonthreatening can be key to avoiding a sting.
Use Caution When Responding to Allergic Reactions to Stinging Insects If You Also Have Asthma
When you have an insect allergy and it produces anaphylaxis, the symptoms sometimes start out a lot like asthma symptoms, with wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. These are not pure asthma symptoms, though, and they won't respond to your asthma quick-relief medicine.
The only solution to anaphylaxis is to stop the reaction in its tracks. Treatment must begin immediately, or serious consequences, including death, can result. For this reason, it can be a good idea to wear a Medic-Alert type bracelet, so that others can get you the help you need if you lose consciousness.
In addition, if you know you are allergic to stinging insects, having had any kind of reaction in the past, then ask your doctor about carrying an auto-injectable syringe of epinephrine, such as the EpiPen, that can be used in case you are stung again. Be sure you know how to use it or who you can enlist to help you (for kids), if necessary. And be sure to get emergency help too, even if the EpiPen is used.
Sources:
AAAAI, "Tips to remember: stinging insect allergy." American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 01 January 2007. AAAAI. 12 Sep 2008.
Ferrel, K, "Wings and Stings: When insect bites cause dangerous allergic reactions" American Academy of Pediatrics. 01 January 2007. AAP. 15 Sept 08.
Scott H. Sicherer, F. Estelle R. Simons, and the Section on Allergy and Immunology. "Self-injectable Epinephrine for First-Aid Management of Anaphylaxis. Pediatrics, Mar 2007; 119: 638 - 646.
Simons, FER, "Patient information: Anaphylaxis symptoms and diagnosis." UptoDate. 02 June 2008. UptoDate. 15 Sept 2008.
