Allergies to Insect Stings - Treatment Overview

http://www.thankhealth.net/html/Diseases-Conditions/Allergy/Overview/200903/153.html
Treatment Overview
Key treatment points
For normal reactions to insect stings, medical treatment is usually not needed. An ice pack or cold compress may reduce swelling and pain, along with taking a nonprescription pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
If you have a large local reaction that spreads around the sting or affects an entire limb, taking an antihistamine can reduce your overall symptoms.
Systemic allergic reactions involve your whole body and are considered a medical emergency. If you have had a severe systemic reaction to an insect sting in the past, carry an allergy kit with you so that, when stung, you can immediately treat yourself with the antihistamine tablet and epinephrine injection from the kit. Always seek emergency care after an epinephrine injection—your symptoms could reappear or become worse for several hours after the first epinephrine injection.
If your systemic reaction gets worse, you may develop anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening response to the insect venom. Emergency medical attention is needed. Call 911 or seek immediate treatment in a hospital emergency room. Medicines will be given to reduce swelling, open your airway to help you breathe, and stabilize your blood pressure.
Allergies to insect stings are treated by avoiding the insects that cause the allergy, treating mild cases with medicines such as antihistamines, and understanding how and when to use an allergy kit for serious reactions.
Special care must be taken with children who have insect sting allergies. A child with a severe allergy may have life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to even tiny amounts of venom from the insect. Your child should always wear a medical alert bracelet and carry an allergy kit. Children at risk for severe allergic reactions should keep allergy kits at school or day care as well as at home. Make sure that all caregivers—such as school administrators, teachers, friends, and coaches—know about the insect sting allergy, where the allergy kit is kept, and how and when to give the epinephrine injection. Also, make sure they have a plan to transport your child to the hospital. Older, mature children should be taught to give self-injections.
Immediate treatment for an allergic reaction to an insect sting depends on the type and severity of your symptoms.
Total 4 Pages: [1] [2] [3] [4] Next