What are the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to insect stings?
Dr. Li: If you have no particular allergy to insects, observation is all that’s necessary. What usually occurs is a local reaction – pain at the site of the sting and maybe a small amount of swelling and redness that subsides after a few days. On the other hand, people who are allergic to a sting might develop itching, hives, or welts all over their body within minutes. When people have severe allergic reactions, they may swell around the eyes, lips, hands or tongue. They might also start wheezing and have trouble breathing. If there’s swelling in the throat or tongue, they may feel like it’s difficult to get air. Some people have a drop in blood pressure, feel faint, even lose consciousness. Oasis: That sounds like a time to call 9-1-1. Dr. Li: Yes. For a severe reaction like I just described called an anaphylactic reaction get emergency transport to a hospital for immediate care. Fortunately, these reactions are fairly unusual. Oasis: How do I know if I need to get allergy shots for
