07 Apr 09 ABOUT INSECT ALLERGIES. REACTIONS TO INSECT STINGS AND BITES

Most people suffer only momentary discomfort when stung by a bee: a pin prick of pain; a red welt at the site of the sting surrounded by a paler, whitish area; and maybe a fierce itch. In a couple of days, all is forgotten.

Allergic people (and 1 out of 250 people is allergic to insect bites or stings) don’t get off so easily. The area around the sting may swell and remain swollen for up to a day. That’s no real cause for concern unless the swelling persists or the whole arm or leg swells. Then you need to see a doctor – if for no other reason than to determine whether or not you are at risk for a reaction that involves your whole body (doctors call it ‘systemic’) and may even be life threatening.

That type of reaction can begin mildly enough: a dry cough, itching and swelling around the eyes, sneezing, wheezing and widespread hives. And if you’re lucky, that’s where the symptoms stop. But in 4 out of 1,000 people, the pulse becomes rapid, the skin pale or flushed, and blood pressure falls -followed by constricted breathing, and possibly abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever and loss of consciousness – all within fifteen minutes of the sting. That’s anaphylactic shock; unfortunately, it kills forty people a year. So even the first mild symptoms should be treated as an emergency if you’ve had a severe reaction at any time in the past.

A few individuals suffer not only an immediate reaction but a second, delayed reaction ten to fourteen days later. Symptoms can include a headache, general malaise, fever, lymph gland discomfort and painful joints.

Allergic and non-allergic reactions to insect stings and bites

Normal

Momentary pain. Redness at site of sting or bite, surrounded by a whitish zone or red, hivelike spot. Itching. Irritation. Warmth. All traces of discomfort disappear within a few hours

Local reaction

Unusual amount of swelling, pain and redness at the site. Again, symptoms vanish in a few hours.

Allergic, or general systemic reaction

First-degree symptoms: Itching around the eyes. Dry hacking cough. Widespread hives. Constriction of chest and throat. Wheezing. Nausea. Vomiting. Abdominal pain. Dizziness.

More severe: Difficulty in breathing. Hoarseness and thickened speech. Difficulty in swallowing. Confusion. A sense of impending disaster.

Anaphylaxis: Cyanosis (skin turns blue). Blood pressure falls. Incontinence. Unconsciousness or collapse.

Toxic reaction to multiple stings or bites

Headache. Diarrhoea. Faintness. Fever. Drowsiness. Swelling. Unconsciousness. Convulsions.

*60/65/5*