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Generality:
The persons stung by insects from Hymenoptera order (bees, wasps, hornets) present, in general, a skin reaction characterized by pain, redness and mild swelling. This discomfort reaction is not serious and resolves spontaneously after a few hours from the puncture.
On the contrary, the persons allergic to the venom of these insects manifest symptoms such as extensive, painful and persistent skin lesions for more than 24 hours. If the allergic reaction involves the whole organism, the most common symptoms are oedema, hives, abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, up to the most serious cases of cardiovascular collapse and anaphylactic shock. In the last two cases, prompt medical intervention is required.
Based on this, useful advice regarding preventive measures and treatment measures should be provided.
Prevention Methods:
▪ Personal
- It is advisable to avoid too colourful or black clothes, hair spray lotions, cosmetics and scented sunscreens as they attract insects. Avoid wearing shorts, low-cut clothes and clothing that can attract insects. In addition, it is recommended not to walk barefoot especially in lawns and gardens because crushing the insect this reacts by stinging.
- Gardening, for greater personal safety, should always be practiced with gloves and paying attention to the use of electric mowers that could inadvertently damage nests hidden in hedges and ground.
▪ In open places
- It is advisable, in the spring season, to stay away from hedges, flowering trees, parks, waste collection areas and hives.
- Of fundamental importance for allergic people is to never be alone in recreational or work activities carried out outdoors. In the case of an insect approaching, a good preventive rule is not to get agitated and not to make sudden movements that could attract the attention of the insect itself.
▪ Indoor
The smells of many foods can attract the attention of some insects, so it is advisable to avoid cooking and eating outdoors especially fruits, sweets, honey, jams and juice. In the case of picnics in parks it is advisable to keep the food always covered until the moment of consumption.
Treatment Methods:
▪ Natural
Da applicare localmente sulla zona interessata:
- Ghiaccio per circa 20 minuti per ridurre il gonfiore e lenire il dolore
- Aglio e Cipolla, da strofinare sulla puntura (vantano proprietà antisettiche) possono contribuire a neutralizzare il veleno
▪ First aid medications
- Antihistaminic
- Cortisone
Both can be taken orally, intramuscularly, or treated directly on stung place.
▪ Emergency Therapy
- Auto injection of adrenaline
Subjects allergic to Hymenoptera bites and at risk of anaphylactic shock, following an insect bite, are required to self-administer intramuscularly a dose of adrenaline, which acts as an antagonist of the abundant amount of histamine released during the inflammatory process. Contact your doctor or a specialist doctor to agree on a behavior or therapeutic action in case of puncture.
Active Immunoprophilaxis
Specific immunotherapy is the only effective preventive treatment against allergy to Hymenoptera venom. The use of purified extracts of poison has made it possible to successfully treat this severe form of allergy. This technique consists of administering increasing amounts of small doses of purified extract of allergen to which the patient is allergic, until a protective dosage is reached. This treatment will then be repeated with monthly intervals for a period established by the specialist and in any case not less than three years.
Conclusions
It is essential that the subject, victim of an allergic reaction from Hymenoptera bite, quickly contacts a Specialized Centre. So that, through an accurate analysis of the clinical history and the results of specific tests, it is possible to make a precise diagnosis with certainty and establish the degree of risk and the therapeutic strategy to be used, avoiding any delays that can frustrate the effectiveness of the intervention itself.
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