Insect Allergies

If you are allergic to bee stings or another type of stinging insect, you know how dangerous the outdoors can be. Most people only receive temporary problems from stings, like redness or itching. But for those with severe insect allergies, being stung by a bee can kill. They will enter into a life-threatening condition called anaphylactic shock, a condition whereby the body swells and the throat can swell shut, cutting off the air supply. This is a very serious problem.

What is so scary about bee sting reactions is that you will not know if you are allergic or not until you are stung the first time. That is why extreme caution needs to be taken to protect small children from exposure to bees. Make sure when they are outdoors that they are supervised.

While you cannot totally avoid stinging insects, there are several precautions that help you to avoid unnecessary exposures. Know that the months of September and October are the most common times to be stung, as insects are creating nests. When you are outdoors during these months, be extra careful.

If you want to avoid stinging insects, stay away from any nests that you see. This is what they consider to be their territory and they will protect it with a vengeance. If you find a nest or hove on or near your home, do not try to remove it yourself. Call a professionally trained exterminator to take care of the problem as soon as you possibly can. If an insect comes near you, stand still until it flies away. Do not swat or smack them, as they will react as if they are being attacked. Teach your children how to properly deal with an insect near them.

When you go outdoors, do not wear perfume or clothing that has bright colors, as this will attract insects. If you are going to eat outdoors, keep food covered until you are ready to eat it. One of the best pieces of advice, especially for children, is to avoid going barefoot in the grass. You or your child could easily step on a stinging insect.

If your child is stung and you are not sure if they are allergic, then you need to watch them carefully for several hours. Signs of an allergic reaction are swelling, redness, itchiness and becoming lethargic. Itching and swelling of the tongue are extreme reactions. If you notice any of these problems, take your child to the emergency room as soon as possible. It will avoid the serious affects if your child is having an allergic reaction and the doctors will not make you feel bad if there was no cause for concern.

If you find your child is allergic to stinging insects, do not let them go out without an EPI-pen. An EPI-pen is a shot of epinephrine that is given if an allergic reaction begins. It will stop the effects until you can get the person to the hospital, often saving their lives. Be sure to check your EPI-pen periodically because they do expire.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

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