Most people have heard of hay fever and hives. And who doesn’t cough? So let’s start with the medical names for some common symptoms of allergies. It’ll help you decode the information that comes with any allergy medication.

• Allergic rhinitis: A blocked or runny nose, plus sneezing. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is linked to outdoor allergens such as pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis means symptoms can be year-round. They happen indoors from allergens such as dust mites.

Less than 1% of Canadians have an insect sting allergy that could, if left untreated, lead to severe reactions. Even so, it’s natural to feel a little wary whenever you hear buzzing. In this article we’ll explain insect allergy and give you practical advice on how to avoid being stung or bitten.

Read on to find out what could be influencing your personal allergy calendar. And what you can do about the triggers and symptoms of seasonal allergies. We’ll look at treatment options and medications too.

Insect allergy is generally not a year-round problem unless you live somewhere tropical. Stinging insects like bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets tend to be active from spring to early fall. That’s when conditions are warm and plants are pollinating. If you travel, beware of other insects that may pose a risk, like fire ants in the southern states of the US. 

Insect allergy refers to allergic reactions to insect stings (and insect bites) mainly in the Hymenoptera order. This includes bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and fire ants. Insect allergy can also be triggered by insect bites from certain mosquitoes, bed bugs, kissing bugs, fleas, flies, other types of ants and ticks. Ticks are technically not insects. They're arachnids like spiders and dust mites. But because they bite they're often grouped together with biting insects causing allergies. That's why we're talking about them here.  

If you’re allergic to insect venom or saliva your immune system makes Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to combat the toxin. You usually need to be stung or bitten twice before you develop allergy symptoms. The first time your body is prepping its defenses by creating the specific IgE antibodies. The next time you get bitten or stung, the antibodies might trigger a reaction and that causes insect allergy symptoms.

Insect allergy refers to allergic reactions to insect stings (and insect bites) mainly in the Hymenoptera order. This includes bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and fire ants. Insect allergy can also be triggered by insect bites from certain mosquitoes, bed bugs, kissing bugs, fleas, flies, other types of ants and ticks. Ticks are technically not insects. They're arachnids like spiders and dust mites. But because they bite they're often grouped together with biting insects causing allergies. That's why we're talking about them here.  

If you’re allergic to insect venom or saliva your immune system makes Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to combat the toxin. You usually need to be stung or bitten twice before you develop allergy symptoms. The first time your body is prepping its defenses by creating the specific IgE antibodies. The next time you get bitten or stung, the antibodies might trigger a reaction and that causes insect allergy symptoms.

With insect allergy, local symptoms tend to be more intense. You can find a more detailed description below. More importantly, it can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms typically involve more than one part of your body and may affect any of these:

• Skin – flushed, pale, itching or hives
• Head and neck – swelling of the tongue or throat
• Heart and blood pressure – a weak or rapid pulse, low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Gut – diarrhea, feeling or being sick
• Airways – narrowing, which may cause wheezing and trouble breathing
• Brain – dizziness or fainting

Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly, in minutes, or up to a few hours after you’re stung. Your body may go into shock and it can be life-threatening (more so for men than women it seems). The risk of having the same symptoms goes up once a systemic reaction has happened the first time. 

Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly, in minutes, or up to a few hours after you’re stung. Your body may go into shock and it can be life-threatening (more so for men than women it seems). The risk of having the same symptoms goes up once a systemic reaction has happened the first time.

Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly, in minutes, or up to a few hours after you’re stung. Your body may go into shock and it can be life-threatening (more so for men than women it seems). The risk of having the same symptoms goes up once a systemic reaction has happened the first time.

The size and nature of the swelling can help you tell the difference between a normal and an allergic reaction to an insect sting. Slight puffiness less than four inches in diameter around the puncture is to be expected. It usually calms down after a few hours but the itching may last several days.

A severe local reaction is a similar size but the swelling and redness is often more intense. Except on darker skin where erythema, the medical name for redness, can be harder to see. These symptoms may last up to a week. Large local allergic reactions often have a diameter of more than four inches. This might look worrying but they’re often treated in the same way as a normal insect sting.

An insect sting can sometimes make your whole arm or leg swell up. If the redness, swelling or hardening of the skin around the bite gets worse over 24 to 72 hours, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.

It’s why your body has inbuilt protection. Your immune system is always on guard. It makes specific immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies each time you meet a threat. These antibodies send histamine and white blood cells to flush out any intruder. Your immune system reacts the same way when you come into contact with an allergen. That’s an allergic reaction.

Large local allergic reactions often have a diameter of more than four inches. This might look worrying but is often treated like a normal insect sting, with basic first aid.

A cold compress or ice pack may help to ease pain and reduce swelling. Itchiness usually fades on its own. An over-the-counter painkiller may help to relieve discomfort. Corticosteroid cream or calamine lotion may help to ease itching, redness and swelling. An oral or topical antihistamine may help with swelling or itchiness. In general, allergists recommend the newer second-generation antihistamines.

An unusually large or painful local reaction may need medical attention and prescription antihistamines or corticosteroids.

So your healthcare provider may prescribe a device called an epinephrine auto-injector. It’s for you to use in the instance of a medical emergency.

It’s important to carry two auto-injectors with you at all times because a single dose may not be enough to reverse the reaction. Teach your family and friends how to use it too in case you can’t. You should also seek immediate medical attention, even if you use your auto-injector, in case you have a delayed secondary reaction.

You may want to carry a medical ID or wear a medical alert bracelet. This lets others know you’re allergic to insect stings and may need immediate treatment if stung.

Your doctor will take your medical history and a detailed account of your worst sting reaction. This is to help predict future risk. They will also ask if you know what type of insect stung you. Try to note:

• Where you were when you were stung
• What you did to get relief
• Whether the insect left a stinger in your skin or not (honeybees leave a stinger)
• A picture of the insect or even the insect itself

Some insect venoms, like yellow jacket and hornet, contain similar allergenic proteins. This causes cross-reactions and you may get allergy symptoms from more than just your trigger. Skin testing or blood tests can help make the diagnosis.

No there isn’t. But immunotherapy may be able to retrain your immune system so that it reacts differently. The treatment is also known as desensitization and it involves regular tiny doses of your particular allergen. A full course takes three to five years and it can reduce the risk of severe insect allergy symptoms.

Treatment for one insect allergy may address several different types of venom. For example, yellow jacket venom immunotherapy can tackle allergic reactions to hornets too. It’s because of the cross-reactivity we talked about before.

Insect venom immunotherapy may be right for you if you’ve had a severe reaction before or a skin reaction that spread beyond the sting site. Your allergist will assess and advise you.

Insect repellents don’t usually work on stinging insects so why not try these tips instead:

Don’t…

• walk barefoot or wear open shoes in grass. Bees are attracted to white clover and dandelions.
• wear perfume, brightly colored clothing, shiny buckles or jewelry. Looking and smelling like a flower may prove irresistible to a stinging insect.
• drink from open soda cans left outside. The sweet scent may attract stinging insects that can crawl inside without you noticing.
• leave garbage uncovered.
• swat a flying insect – especially if it’s trapped in a moving car. This can aggravate them. Remain calm, pull over and open the windows to allow it to fly away.

Do…

• think ahead when planning outdoor activities. Summer hiking is better done with others rather than solo in case you get stung and need help.
• cover up with long sleeves and pants when the risks of insect allergy symptoms are higher.
• be alert when gardening as insect nests can be in bushes and trees. Yellow jackets set up home in the ground and in walls. Wear closed toe shoes, socks and gloves.
• keep outdoor picnic and BBQ food covered.
• pick fruit in your garden as soon as it ripens and clear away windfalls – just beware of stinging insects that may be hiding inside drawn by the smell.
• leave windows and doors closed during insect allergy season – or cover them with thin netting.