Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Insect Allergies
Number of Conditions: 3
Bee Sting Allergy
Specialty: Allergies and Immunology
Category: Allergic Disorders
Sub-category: Insect Allergies
Symptoms:
swelling at the sting site; redness; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; anaphylaxis in severe cases
Root Cause:
An overreaction of the immune system to bee venom, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick test with bee venom extract; blood test for venom-specific IgE antibodies; clinical history of reactions to stings
Treatment:
Epinephrine injection for severe reactions; antihistamines for mild symptoms; immunotherapy (allergy shots) for long-term management; avoidance of bee stings
Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), oral antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Diphenhydramine ), and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ) for severe swelling.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 5% of the population; life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) occur in 0.5-3% of cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous allergic reaction to a sting; family history of sting allergies; frequent exposure to bees (e.g., beekeepers)
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with proper management; immunotherapy can reduce sensitivity over time.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis; cardiovascular collapse; death if not treated promptly in severe cases
Wasp Sting Allergy
Specialty: Allergies and Immunology
Category: Allergic Disorders
Sub-category: Insect Allergies
Symptoms:
pain and swelling at the sting site; redness; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; anaphylaxis in severe cases
Root Cause:
Immune system hypersensitivity to wasp venom, causing release of histamine and inflammatory chemicals.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick test with wasp venom extract; blood test for venom-specific IgE antibodies; clinical history of reactions to stings
Treatment:
Epinephrine injection for severe cases; antihistamines or corticosteroids for mild to moderate symptoms; immunotherapy for long-term desensitization; avoidance of stings
Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), oral antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Diphenhydramine ), and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ) for severe swelling.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Similar to bee sting allergy; affects around 5% of the population, with anaphylaxis occurring in 0.5-3%.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous allergic reactions to wasp stings; frequent exposure to wasps; family history of venom allergies
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; immunotherapy can reduce severity and frequency of reactions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anaphylaxis; cardiovascular issues; potential death if untreated
Fire Ant Allergy
Specialty: Allergies and Immunology
Category: Allergic Disorders
Sub-category: Insect Allergies
Symptoms:
intense burning and itching; red swollen welts; pus-filled blisters; systemic allergic reactions such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis
Root Cause:
Hypersensitivity to alkaloid venom injected by fire ants, leading to an overactive immune response.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick or intradermal testing with fire ant venom; blood test for specific IgE antibodies; clinical history of reactions
Treatment:
Epinephrine for severe systemic reactions; antihistamines for localized symptoms; immunotherapy for long-term prevention; avoidance of fire ant habitats
Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), oral antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Diphenhydramine ), and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ) for severe swelling.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1% of the population in fire ant endemic areas.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Living in or traveling to fire ant-infested regions; history of previous fire ant stings; family history of venom allergies
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate management; immunotherapy highly effective in reducing reactions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anaphylaxis; cardiac or respiratory arrest; skin infections from scratching blisters