Allergic reactions to insect bites
Urbanek, R.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 46(9): 654-662
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 2678576 Document Number: 329185
An allergic reaction to stings by insects can occur within minutes and may be fatal. The history serves to assess the severity of the reaction and may aid in the identification of the insect involved. The diagnosis is confirmed by a skin test and the presence of insect venom specific IgE. Minor allergic reactions can be treated with drugs, the more severe forms require hyposensitization therapy with pure insect venom, especially when the risk of life threatening reaction due to reexposure to insect sting is high. A protection against insect stings can be achieved within days. During the venom immunotherapy an antibody rise occurs and is followed by a suppression of specific IgE production later on. Allergy against hymenoptera venom is a suitable model for hyposensitization treatment.