Insect stings can cause allergic reactions in some people. Honeybees cause the most common insect sting allergy, although other stinging insects such as wasps, hornets and yellow jackets can also cause problems.
Some people are allergic to insect stings. The venom of stinging insects contains several chemicals that trigger the release of histamine, causing local tissue damage and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms when introduced through a sting.
Why are people allergic to wasp stings?
The presence of an allergy to insect stings makes other allergies more likely because the immune system is already sensitised to these allergens. Although many risk developing an allergy to insect stings, most will never react if exposed.
The body of an allergic person makes a substance called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody after being stung by an insect. The next time he or she is stung by an insect of the same or similar species, the insect venom interacts with IgE produced in response to an earlier sting.
The venom from the sting causes tissue damage at the site of the sting, which is mainly responsible for the pain, swelling and redness we experience. The local reaction may be mild and localised around the sting site or cause swelling and inflammation that spreads over a larger area than just around the sting itself.
For example, if you are stung on your finger, the swelling may extend to your shoulder. The arm and shoulder are connected to the hand through blood vessels and nerves. Both reactions are considered local allergic reactions.
Some people are allergic to insect stings, and an insect bite can be life-threatening for these individuals. Insects in the class Hymenoptera can inject venom into humans and animals, and severe allergic reactions to insect stings can involve many body organs and develop rapidly.
Anaphylaxis is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include itching and hives over large areas of the body, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhoea. In severe cases, a rapid fall in blood pressure may result in shock and loss of consciousness.
If you or anyone else experiences these symptoms after an insect sting, get emergency medical treatment immediately. After your symptoms are treated in the emergency room, ask for a referral to an allergist/immunologist to learn about treatment options.
The venom of stinging insects can be one of the most dangerous allergens. Most people stung by bees, yellow jacket wasps, hornets, wasps and fire ants will experience only mild pain, swelling and itching at the sting site.
The first time an individual is stung by an insect, he or she does not suffer an allergic reaction. Instead, the initial encounter leads to sensitisation, in which the immune system overreacts to the insect venom and creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight it. These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction the next time the body encounters the same insect venom.
When a person is stung, the body releases antibodies that cause mast cells to release chemicals such as histamine. This can cause an allergic reaction, including inflammation and swelling. In extreme cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis, which causes fluid to leak from the bloodstream into the tissues. The bronchial tissues may also swell, making breathing difficult.
In the United Kingdom, some stinging insects include hornets, wasps, and bees. While not everyone is allergic to insect venom, reactions in the skin such as mild pain, swelling, and redness may occur with a sting. Most of these reactions are caused by five types of insects: bees, wasps, and hornets.
People with allergies to venom may experience more pronounced effects. A mild allergic reaction may result in nausea and other discomforts. At the other extreme, a rare reaction called anaphylactic shock can impair breathing and heart functions and lead to death in some victims.
Most people do not know they are allergic to bees, wasps or hornets until after their first allergic reaction. It’s better to kill the nest or hive of these insects to avoid them in the future. If a bee stings you, move away slowly as you encounter any stinging flying insect to avoid further disturbing it.
What diseases can you get from a wasp sting?
The venom that some insects inject into their victims can have an adverse effect on the immune system. However, it’s very rare for a single insect bite or sting to cause long-term problems with your immune system – this usually only happens if you’ve been stung repeatedly over several years.
Some people are more prone to having an adverse reaction than others. This may be because they’re allergic to the venom or because they’ve had previous reactions to insect bites or stings.
Can a wasp sting have long-term effects?
A wasp sting can have long term effects, but it depends on the type of allergic reaction that you have. If you are allergic to stinging insects, then you may suffer from anaphylaxis at any time after being stung by a bee, hornet or wasp. This is an immediate and potentially life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment with an Epipen injection or similar adrenaline injection by an ambulance crew member or doctor.
If you have been stung before and know that you suffer from severe allergies to insect venom, then you should always carry your Epipen with you in case of unexpected exposure to another insect sting. You should also inform any doctors treating you for other illnesses about your allergies so that they know what symptoms to look out for if they need to treat you for anything else in the future.
If you do not suffer from severe allergies then even if a wasp has stung you several times in a short space of time it is unlikely to cause any serious problems apart from pain and swelling at the site of the sting itself.
However, if anyone suffers from mild allergies (such as hayfever) then they may experience swelling around the sting.
How to treat a wasp sting?
If a wasp stings you, the first thing to do is remove the stinger with a fingernail or credit card. Wasps have barbed stingers, so they can’t be pulled out like honeybee stings.
Next, wash the area with soap and water. If there’s swelling or redness, apply an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time; don’t use heat because it will increase blood flow and inflammation.
If itching persists after 24 hours, your doctor may prescribe oral antihistamines or topical creams or ointments containing corticosteroids. Avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium (Aleve). These drugs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding in people who have been stung by a wasp.
Can you get sepsis from wasp sting?
You can get sepsis from a wasp sting, but it’s rare. Severe pain, swelling and redness at the site of the sting are common symptoms of a wasp sting. Some people have allergic reactions to the venom in wasp stings, which can cause hives, difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock.
But sepsis is not a typical reaction to a wasp sting. If you or your child has been stung by a wasp, try to remove the stinger quickly — don’t squeeze or pinch it out because doing so may release more venom into the skin. If you have severe symptoms such as high fevers or chills after being stung by a wasp, seek medical attention right away.
If you need help managing any of the common pests above, give Eliminate Ltd a call. We offer wasp nest removal throughout the UK and are highly trained to eradicate nests in commercial and domestic properties. If you need effective wasp removal in Wigan, call us today.
