Insect Venom Allergy

What can happen if you get stung? In most cases, an insect sting or bite is absolutely harmless to healthy humans. However, it can be risky (in increasing cases) and the consequences – although very rare – can be fatal.

If the person has an allergic response, the sting can cause swelling around the sting or bite within a couple of minutes, a rash can appear, dizziness , breathing difficulties and – in rare cases – even a life-threatening cardiac arrest may occur.

How to handle an insect sting? Firstly, it is very important to stay calm if you get stung by an insect

that you are allergic to. If you carry your emergency kit with you, severe consequences are rare if the medication is used soon enough.

In any case, it is important to be prepared for an anaphylactic reaction, in other words, always have your emergency kit with you and inform another person around you (if possible) that you got stung and that you may react to the sting.

After you get stung, remove the stinger (with your fingernails) as soon as possible – at least within 20–30 seconds, otherwise the venom will be pumped into your blood system. The sting site can be covered with a cool wet flannel or, if available, a cool pad for about 20–30 min. The swelling site can be also treated with a steroid cream but in most cases this is not necessary.

If the symptoms are severe (rash, dizziness, breathing difficulties) you definitely should call an ambulance immediately. While you are waiting for them, use your emergency kit, if available.

What does the kit contain? an adrenaline (epinephrine) injection oral steroid medication (tablet or liquid) antihistamine medication (liquid) How to use the emergency kit? Take just the antihistamine medication, if the reaction is mild and you don’t have any breathing difficulties or dizziness. Depending on the skin reaction, also take the steroid medication. Now inform all people nearby if the allergic reaction becomes more severe. If you realize you have breathing difficulties, nausea , circulation problems or swelling in the mouth and throat, inject the adrenaline into the thigh muscle as soon as possible. You don’t need to take your medication if you are desensitized, in this case allergic reactions are much less likely to occur. If more than just a local reaction occurs, use your emergency kit.

How do you (long-term) treat a bee venom allergy? In general, people can be desensitized from the age of two. If a longterm treatment will be applied, the practitioner asks you the following questions:

How do you react to stings? How likely are you to be stung? If the allergy is already known, a successful desensitization (a.k.a: allergen-specific immunotherapy or SIT) lasts about five years and can even help you in the remote future to prevent another severe allergic reaction. Desensitization allows the immune system to gradually get used to the insect venom by injecting small doses of the insect venom under the skin (into fatty tissue) of the upper arm. Patience is needed for this treatment, as it takes about 3–5 years to complete.

Within this time, the immune system gets used to the allergen. The injection is usually given once a week in the first few weeks, and then every 4–8 weeks after that. The dose can also vary. People are not allowed to do strenuous physical activity, sports or saunas on the days when they are given an injection, because the desensitization process is very demanding for the immune system.

How effective is immunotherapy and what are the side-effects ? Most people who complete an immunotherapy course are cured for

a long time. After desensitization about 90 % of people don’t have anaphylactic reactions to insect stings. If the effect of treatment wears off, you should talk to your practitioner as to whether you should repeat the treatment.

Side-effects of immunotherapy can be:

Red and swollen skin at the site of injection (this dies down during the course of the treatment). Mild anaphylactic reactions are also possible like tiredness and headaches. A severe anaphylactic shock (it often starts within 30 minutes of the injection) is very rare. The patient must stay in the doctor’s waiting room for at least 30 minutes after having the injection due to the risk of a severe anaphylactic shock. The occurance is about 14 out of every 100 patients.

EXERCISE: 1. How likely are you to get an anaphylactic shock during long-term bee venom treatment? a. 14 out of 100 people b. 3 out of 100 people c. 1 out of 100 people

2. What does an emergency kit for bee or wasp venom allergies contain? a. antihistamine medication b. an adrenaline injection c. oral steroid medication

3. After using an epinephrine auto-injector, you should seek emergency medical care. a. true b. false

4. There is no treatment to prevent a severe allergic reaction to insect venom. a. true b. false

You’ll find the answer on: http://tinyurl.com/weiterbildung-englisch

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Heppt W, Bachert C: Praktische Allergologie. 2nd edition. Thieme Verlag 2010. 2. http://dict.leo.org. 3. Pryzbilla B, Rueff F, Walker A, Räwer H-C, Aberer W, Bauer CP, et al.: Bienen- und Wespengiftallergie, Diagnose und Therapie: AWMF-Register-Nr.: 061 – 020. Allergo J 2011; 20: 318–39. 4. www.allergy-guide.com. 5. www.dict.cc. 6. www.webster-dictionary.org.

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTA. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten. Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise: Answer: 1. a Answer: 2. a, b, c Answer: 3. a Answer: 4. b

Insect Venom Allergy

What can happen if you get stung?

How to handle an insect sting?

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Insect Venom Allergy

What can happen if you get stung?

How to handle an insect sting?

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