What Is Venom Immunotherapy?
The long-term treatment of insect sting allergy is called venom immunotherapy, a highly effective program administered by an allergist-immunologist, which can prevent future allergic reactions to insect stings. Venom immunotherapy involves administering gradually increasing doses of venom which stimulate the patient’s own immune system to reduce the risk of a future allergic reaction to the same as the general population. In a matter of weeks to months, people who previously lived under the constant threat of severe reactions to insect stings can return to leading normal lives. Ask your doctor to send a consult to an allergist-immunologist, a physician who is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. Based on your past history and certain tests, the allergist will determine if you are a candidate for skin testing and immunotherapy. How Can I Avoid Insect Stings? Knowing how to avoid stings from fire ants, bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets leads to a more en
