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Allergic diseases > Allergy to insect stings
What should you do if you are a stung?
Anaphylactic reactions may be life threatening and therefore they
require immediate treatment. The most effective emergency treatment
is epinephrine (adrenaline) which should be administered without
delay if there are signs that indicate a possible generalized
reaction and involvement of a vital organ. One injection of
epinephrine can stop the progression of symptoms and save your
life.
Tip: sometimes a single shot of epinephrine is not
enough to completely stop the development of the anaphylactic
reaction. Therefore it is better to have an auto-injector that
contains two doses of epinephrine or two devices with single
epinephrine shot to hand at all times.
Anyone who has had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting
should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector device with them.
This is prescribed by the allergy specialist after a medical
evaluation and confirmation of the allergic nature of your
symptoms.
Tip: insect stings that occur in the mouth or
throat should be treated in the same way as an anaphylactic
reaction.
Other measures that should be taken are:
check if the stinger is left in the skin and if so, remove it as quickly as possible (ideally, within 30 seconds of the sting). Be very gentle when removing it, making sure that you do not press on the venom sack
call the emergency services (or ask the people you are with to do it)
lay down, with your head lower than your feet
apply something cold to the sting site (such as ice or cold water)
if you have been stung on an arm or a leg, apply a tourniquet (a tight elastic band or string) above the stinging site (the tourniquet should be released every 5 minutes for a period of at least 3 minutes to allow the blood flow to the limb; it should be removed completely after a maximum period of 30 minutes)
if available, take an effective antihistamine
check if the stinger is left in the skin and if so, remove it as quickly as possible (ideally, within 30 seconds of the sting). Be very gentle when removing it, making sure that you do not press on the venom sack
call the emergency services (or ask the people you are with to do it)
lay down, with your head lower than your feet
apply something cold to the sting site (such as ice or cold water)
if you have been stung on an arm or a leg, apply a tourniquet (a tight elastic band or string) above the stinging site (the tourniquet should be released every 5 minutes for a period of at least 3 minutes to allow the blood flow to the limb; it should be removed completely after a maximum period of 30 minutes)
if available, take an effective antihistamine
Tip: anybody who has experienced an anaphylactic
response to an insect sting (even if they had the epinephrine
self-injector available and the symptoms have subsided after its
administration) must have a prompt medical check-up in an emergency
service.