Anaphylaxis
No matter where you live, each summer usually brings out a wide variety of stinging insects. From honeybees and hornets to wasps and carpenter bees (we always called those ones bumblebees), there are a lot of stingers flying through the summer breeze. While visiting family last week, one of my nephews had the displeasure of being stung by a wasp, on his 
lower lip. Though there were some questions over whether or not his reaction was allergic in nature, this sting highlights the difference between an allergic reaction and a more traditional reaction to a bee sting.
Most people who are stung by wasps experience a few common symptoms like swelling, itching, and pain. Wasps inject a small amount of venom when they sting, but the effects are generally very localized and usually shortlived. When stung, the best way to treat the it is by removing the stinger (if it's still present), then apply ice to reduce swelling. Administering a dose of diphenhydramine (active ingredient in Benadryl), a popular antihistamine, can reduce the body's reactions to the sting. For most of us, these simple measure generally mean we've completely forgotten about the sting within an hour or so.
So how do you know if you're having an allergic reaction? Generally allergic reactions will be typified by a set of more severe symptoms. These can include trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat. While some swelling is common at the site of the sting, an allergic reaction can show extreme swelling and swelling in body parts that were not stung. If you are experiencing a severe reaction, the treatment outlined above is a good start, but in cases where anaphylactic shock is a reality, you need to seek medical attention immediately or use an epi-pen until full treatment can be obtained.
In the case of my nephew, we tried ice, but as the swelling continued, it was decided to take him to the doctor where they administered a shot of diphenhydramine, and the swelling subsided almost completely after a few hours.
Bee stings are almost unavoidable if you spend significant time outdoors, and even if you keep an eye out, bee nests and hives can often be hidden. This means, you may not know until you have been stung that you've disturbed their nest.
So what can you do to prepare? First, remove nests that you can see. Use your best judgement as to whether, a broom, bee spray or calling a professional is your best option. Secondly, keep Benadryl, or another type of over-the-counter medication with diphenhydramine, in the medicine cabinet or in a travel bag for when you're away from home. If you are severely allergic, you can always keep your epi-pen within reach with an anatote or another protective case that clips to any loop or hangs from a belt. Bee sting kits are also available (by prescription only). Lastly, you may want to consider skipping the fruity/fruit scented body sprays or personal care products as these can sometimes attract insects.
Though bee stings may be unavoidable while enjoying the summer outdoors, you can reduce the chances of letting an irritated bee ruin your day. And as for my nephew, within a couple hours, he was well enough to spend the evening eating barbecue and playing with sparklers as we celebrated the 4th.
lower lip. Though there were some questions over whether or not his reaction was allergic in nature, this sting highlights the difference between an allergic reaction and a more traditional reaction to a bee sting.Most people who are stung by wasps experience a few common symptoms like swelling, itching, and pain. Wasps inject a small amount of venom when they sting, but the effects are generally very localized and usually shortlived. When stung, the best way to treat the it is by removing the stinger (if it's still present), then apply ice to reduce swelling. Administering a dose of diphenhydramine (active ingredient in Benadryl), a popular antihistamine, can reduce the body's reactions to the sting. For most of us, these simple measure generally mean we've completely forgotten about the sting within an hour or so.
So how do you know if you're having an allergic reaction? Generally allergic reactions will be typified by a set of more severe symptoms. These can include trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat. While some swelling is common at the site of the sting, an allergic reaction can show extreme swelling and swelling in body parts that were not stung. If you are experiencing a severe reaction, the treatment outlined above is a good start, but in cases where anaphylactic shock is a reality, you need to seek medical attention immediately or use an epi-pen until full treatment can be obtained.
In the case of my nephew, we tried ice, but as the swelling continued, it was decided to take him to the doctor where they administered a shot of diphenhydramine, and the swelling subsided almost completely after a few hours.Bee stings are almost unavoidable if you spend significant time outdoors, and even if you keep an eye out, bee nests and hives can often be hidden. This means, you may not know until you have been stung that you've disturbed their nest.
So what can you do to prepare? First, remove nests that you can see. Use your best judgement as to whether, a broom, bee spray or calling a professional is your best option. Secondly, keep Benadryl, or another type of over-the-counter medication with diphenhydramine, in the medicine cabinet or in a travel bag for when you're away from home. If you are severely allergic, you can always keep your epi-pen within reach with an anatote or another protective case that clips to any loop or hangs from a belt. Bee sting kits are also available (by prescription only). Lastly, you may want to consider skipping the fruity/fruit scented body sprays or personal care products as these can sometimes attract insects.
Though bee stings may be unavoidable while enjoying the summer outdoors, you can reduce the chances of letting an irritated bee ruin your day. And as for my nephew, within a couple hours, he was well enough to spend the evening eating barbecue and playing with sparklers as we celebrated the 4th.
Comment
For parents of children with food allergies, having and EpiPen/auto-injector on hand is almost second nature. With severe food allergies the risk of anaphylactic shock after exposure to the offending food allergen makes having and EpiPen nearby and easily accessible a necessity. Schools are generally responsive to the needs of children with food allergies, but laws governing the handling of EpiPens and food allergies are different from state to state. On Thursday, VA Governor Bob McDonnell is set to sign a bill that would require Virginia school to carry auto-injectors and train staff on their use.Shortly after the death of a 7-year-old in VA in January, legislation was put forth that would require schools to stock EpiPens and train staffers on their use. Similar laws have been passed in Illinois and Georgia.
In November, Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk introduced legislation that would provide incentives for schools across the nation to provide access to and stock auto-injectors in schools. While most states allows students to self-administer epinephrine, nearly twenty-five of all anaphylaxis cases in schools involve students with no prior history of food allergies. Laws like this and those passed at the state level aim to remedy that.
Auto-injectors administer a measured dose of epinephrine, an effective countermeasure to anaphylactic shock. Most often EpiPens are associated with those who have severe food allergies, but they are effective for anyone suffering from a severe allergy that can cause anaphylaxis.
While it often takes a tragedy before meaningful and lasting action is taken, this does not have to be the case. On a personal level, take control of potential life-threatening allergies and keep you local school informed. On a larger level, working with food and other allergy networks and advocacy groups (like those listed in our Allergy Resource section on this page) can not only spread awareness but ultimately influence legislation and enact minor but critical changes.
The death of a first-grader in Richmond, Virginia highlights the possible unpreparedness of schools to deal with allergy emergencies.
Ammaria Johnson had a peanut allergy. While out at recess, she broke out in hives and began complaining of shortness of breath. Though she was taken to the school clinic, they had nothing they could give her and called 911. Sadly, she didn't make it.
Head of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Maria Acebal says of the incident, "When consequences can be life-threatening, then you've got to have schools prepared for an allergic reaction. It's very straightforward. There is no magic to this. It's just proper education, how to recognize it, and how to treat it."
Since 8 percent of American schoolchildren have food allergies, it seems imperative that schools have on-hand the life-saving equipment and medication to treat a food allergy attack. But as Shawn Smith, spokesman for the Chesterfield County school district points out, although there are extensive guidelines for treating students with severe allergies, the parents of the allergic children must provide prescribed medication to the schools, along with a form authorizing the school to administer it if an emergency arises.
In the absence of these, the nurse attempts to make contact with the family in time to obtain and give medication – an outcome that seems unlikely given the speed with which allergic anaphylaxis can cause death.
To me, this whole situation seems like a tragic, bureaucratic gap in addressing the severe consequences of an allergy attack. Yes, health officials must know how to recognize an allergy attack, but it seems like we have to find a way to allow schools to carry and administer epinephrine when an allergic attack is evident and death is imminent.
Ammaria Johnson had a peanut allergy. While out at recess, she broke out in hives and began complaining of shortness of breath. Though she was taken to the school clinic, they had nothing they could give her and called 911. Sadly, she didn't make it.
Head of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Maria Acebal says of the incident, "When consequences can be life-threatening, then you've got to have schools prepared for an allergic reaction. It's very straightforward. There is no magic to this. It's just proper education, how to recognize it, and how to treat it."
Since 8 percent of American schoolchildren have food allergies, it seems imperative that schools have on-hand the life-saving equipment and medication to treat a food allergy attack. But as Shawn Smith, spokesman for the Chesterfield County school district points out, although there are extensive guidelines for treating students with severe allergies, the parents of the allergic children must provide prescribed medication to the schools, along with a form authorizing the school to administer it if an emergency arises.
In the absence of these, the nurse attempts to make contact with the family in time to obtain and give medication – an outcome that seems unlikely given the speed with which allergic anaphylaxis can cause death.
To me, this whole situation seems like a tragic, bureaucratic gap in addressing the severe consequences of an allergy attack. Yes, health officials must know how to recognize an allergy attack, but it seems like we have to find a way to allow schools to carry and administer epinephrine when an allergic attack is evident and death is imminent.
