What are some common myths about bee stings?
One is that an allergic reaction is just a fluke. Doctors know from studying people over the course of years that if you’re stung and you have a severe reaction, there is a 60 percent chance that you’ll have the same reaction again. Another myth is that the reaction will get worse with each sting. It’s usually the same or milder. So you don’t start with a local reaction and then go into anaphylaxis. Another common myth is that kids outgrow the allergy, which is not true. How can people avoid insect stings? First of all, don’t bug the bugs. “I tell all my patients to wear shoes when they’re outside. I tell the kids to wear shoes and socks,” says Sheerin. Don’t exterminate bees yourself: Hire somebody to do it. Look before you eat or drink, and watch out when wearing colorful clothing outside or wearing loose clothing that can trap honeybees. How can people with an insect allergy protect themselves? People with an insect allergy need to have an EpiPen. An EpiPen contains epinephrine, whi
