Bee Allergies Can Be Serious

Millions of people in the United States are allergic to bees, wasps and other flying insects. A high sensitivity to bee stings triggers an allergic reaction that causes severe symptoms. Blood pressure can fall quickly and it may be hard to breathe if your throat swells. Anaphylactic shock, anxiety and distension of localized body tissues may occur. These symptoms can be life threatening.

The first sting from a bee doesn't ordinarily cause dangerous symptoms; also, the swelling from the sting isn't harmful. The immune system produces antibodies that release chemicals and one of these is histamine. These chemicals cause injury to surrounding cells and cause a reaction of physical symptoms.

You should take precautions if you are allergic to bees. One thing you can do is carry a self-injection kit so you can give yourself a shot of epinephrine to prevent anaphylactic shock. You will need a prescription from your doctor for a kit. Epinephrine is a hormone that will stimulate your heart and relax your airways. It should be given at the first sign of a distressful reaction. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal and happens within minutes after a bee sting. You still need to be checked by a doctor even if you give yourself a shot, as an antihistamine injection could also be needed. There are some people that need to be treated at the hospital especially if there are other health issues involved such as a heart condition. Sometimes oxygen and intravenous fluids have to be administered and the doctor also might suggest that you stay overnight so he can watch you closely.

You can lower your risk of being stung by a bee in a number of ways. Avoid their nests by learning to recognize what they look like. Yellow jackets have nests in the ground or in old logs or walls and you'll find beehives filled with honey bees. Don't walk around outside in your bare feet even if you're only going out on the porch and always wear socks with your shoes. If you go out in the woods, make sure you are covered with long-sleeved shirts and pants. Bees are attracted to bright colors so try to wear darker shades of clothing. Don't use perfume or colognes especially if they have a flowery fragrance. Never swat at a bee because you might cause it to come after you. Use an insecticide to spray your garbage cans if you have picnics in your yard and make sure you close the garbage can lids. Don't sit near the trash cans to eat if you go to a park. It is safer not to go anywhere alone such as swimming, boating or hiking so that you have help on hand if you are stung.

There is a program called desensitization that you may want to have if you are extremely allergic to bee stings. An allergy specialist will do tests to determine if you're a good candidate for immunotherapy and if the tests are positive, he will administer injections of bee venom. The doses will be increases until your body can tolerate it. It can take between 15 and 20 weeks for an immunity to develop.

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Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

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