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Allergic diseases > Allergy to insect stings

Which insects may cause allergy?

Most frequently, the stings of honeybees, wasps and (less frequently) bumblebees are responsible for causing allergies. The most severe allergic reactions are also caused by these insects. Bees, wasps and bumblebees are part of the same family – Hymenoptera – and share a common characteristic, the ability to sting and inject venoms; it is in fact the venom that causes the allergy. Ants belong to the same family and can sting if disturbed. Other insects such as mosquito, horse fly, flea, lice,  louse  and bedbug can also cause allergic reactions which usually are less severe than those caused by insects from the Hymenoptera family. These insects do not sting but bite, the allergic reaction being caused by saliva that is introduced into the skin through the bite.
Tip: Spiders are not insects but are members of the Arachnida family, and they can bite. However, this can only be dangerous for man when the spider is a big-one (such as the tarantula in Africa and the Black Widow in some places in America). In Europe, such big spiders can only be found in the Mediterranean region and they are not as dangerous as the African or American ones. 

Knowing the habits of stinging insects can be helpful for people who are allergic to their venom.
Bees live mainly in man-made nests or hives. Wild bees also exist; they are common in Africa and some parts of America but less often encountered in Europe. Bees feed on the nectar of flowers; therefore they are found in larger numbers in flowering areas such as meadows, orchards, gardens etc. Domestic bees are rarely naturally aggressive, usually attacking only when in danger. Wild bees on the other hand, have a high natural aggressiveness, attacking even in the absence of a threat. 
Bees can sting all year round, but risk of a sting is greater during spring and summer. They have barbed stingers and therefore cannot retract them after the sting. The stinger remains attached to the victim’s skin together with the venom sack. This fact is very important when treating people with allergy to bee venoms for two reasons: 
• First, the stinger and the venom sack must be removed, in order to reduce the amount of venom injected in the skin. When doing this you must be very careful not to squeeze the venom sack as this could introduce the remaining venom into the skin.  The best way to do it is to introduce a thin object (such as a knife or a nail file or finger nail) under the venom sack and ease it around the sting trying to dislodge it.
• Secondly this detail is important for identifying the insect responsible for the sting; only bees leave the sting in place, while wasps and bumblebees retract it. 

Wasps  feed on sweet fruits, juices and left over food in garbage bins. This is why they build their nests close to human communities (in holes in trees, underground, house walls, attics, etc). Unlike bees, wasps have a high natural aggressiveness. Also their venom seems to be more toxic. Even in non-allergic people, wasp stings are usually more painful than those of bees. Allergic reactions to wasp venoms are often very severe. 
The highest risk of a sting occurs during summer and autumn.
As mentioned before, wasps do not leave the sting in place; therefore they can sting repeatedly. However, the first sting is the most important because the highest amount of venom is injected.

Bumblebees are less aggressive than bees and wasps and severe reactions to their venom are very rare (although not unheard of).