FIVE ALLERGY MYTHS THAT CAN STING

MYTH: Swelling at the site of an insect sting is a sign of an allergic reaction.

FACT: Swelling, which occurs even in a normal reaction to insect sting, does not necessarily indicate an allergic reaction. Sometimes the swelling will extend beyond the sting site. Allergic reactions are indicated by swelling in areas other than the sting site and involve additional symptoms such as hives and itchiness, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing, dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure, and hoarse voice and swelling of the tongue.

MYTH: Like seasonal nasal allergies, insect sting allergies are very common and more of a nuisance than they are dangerous.

FACT: Insect sting allergies are much less common than seasonal nasal allergies but they are far more dangerous, even life-threatening. Approximately 2 million Americans are allergic to the venom produced by stinging insects such as yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants. Insect stings send more than 500,000 Americans to hospital emergency rooms and cause at least 50 known deaths each year.

MYTH: If you don’t suffer a reaction within the first 24 hours after an insect sting, you probably are not allergic.

FACT:   An allergic reaction often occurs immediately, but may appear as much as 24 hours later.

MYTH: A person can never be immune to insect sting allergies.

FACT: A person who is allergic to insect sting can gain immunity through a preventive treatment called allergy shots (also known as immunotherapy). The treatment, which has been shown to be 97 percent effective in preventing future allergic reactions to insect stings, works by injecting gradually increasing doses of purified insect venom.

MYTH: A person who experiences an allergic reaction to an insect sting is not very likely to have a future reaction.

FACT: Unfortunately, a person suffers an allergic reaction to an insect sting has a 60 percent chance of having another similar or worse reaction if stung again. Those who have had an allergic reaction to insect sting should see an allergist who can prescribe an emergency kit containing self-administered epinephrine (adrenaline) and provide instruction on how to use it.

For a free brochure about insect sting allergy or for an allergist referral, contact the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) by calling (800) 842-7777 or visiting the ACAAI Web site at www.acaai.org.