Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Watch where you are going.

Wasps build cones in sheltered places, especially under porches and eaves. Wasps may also nest on fences or around boat docks. Hornets can build oval paper nests suspended well above the ground. Yellow jackets have a habit of nesting in the ground, under rocks, or in walls of buildings. If you see more than two yellow jackets or bees close to the ground surface, pause for a moment to see what they do or where they go. If they suddenly vanish into the fall leaves or grass, be cautious, their nest may be close by. Bees and wasps usually sting only when their nests are threatened or when they are actually touched.

Activities with particular risk include; tampering in any way with wasp nests or yellow jacket burrows. This may accidentally occur when mowing the lawn, cutting flowers, trimming hedges or shrubs, or painting a house. Wasps and yellow jackets search for food around open soda cans, trash or garbage cans. Picnic grounds and clover fields are favorite gathering places for these insects too. Never go barefoot or wear sandals outdoors.

Avoid fast, jerky motion; it excites insects.

If you are "buzzed" by a bee or wasp, never flail at it with your arms. Instead, stop or keep walking slowly. Stinging insects are more apt to attack a fast-moving object than a stationary or slow-moving one. (Sometimes, however, one must run for safety, as when a large nest is disturbed.)

Wear light-colored clothing when out (picnicking, walking in the woods, etc.)

Bees are extremely color-sensitive. Dark shades, especially brown, black and dark red, seem to anger them; floral prints also can attract bees. As every beekeeper knows, white or khaki clothing seldom bothers them. Loose-fitting clothing, such as head scarves and billowing skirts, are undesirable because a bee or wasp may become trapped in these.

Do not apply anything that has a sweet odor to your body (such as hair sprays, oils, perfumes or colognes).

Bees and wasps sense sweet orders easily. Hair oils and perfumes which contain floral odors attract them. If a bee or wasp becomes entangled in human hair, its first reaction is to sting. Shower with non-perfumed soaps.

Spray picnic area or other dangerous areas beforehand.

To avoid having yellow jackets and bees gather at a picnic table, spray area beforehand with a fast acting insecticide. Avoid insecticide sprays containing pyrethrum, as this chemical can aggravate allergy symptoms. Keep a can of insecticide in the kitchen to be used to spray the trash and garbage can area, in the glove compartment of the automobile and nearby when working outdoors for use when an insect approaches you.

Call an exterminator.

Don't do it yourself. Be sure there are no nests of yellow jackets, bees, or other wasps in the immediate area of your house, garden, or lawn. Don't try to dispose of the nest by yourself. It is a tricky business, requiring expert use of insecticides. One mistake can unleash scores of angry stinging insects.

Medical therapy of insect allergy will be discussed by your physician.

Injectable adrenaline (EPIPEN), antihistamines, or medicated sprays may be used to counter the allergy reaction. A program of emergency treatment appropriate for your specific condition will be prescribed. Please ask questions if you do not understand any part of your medical program. Allergy injection therapy may also be included in your treatment program. Allergy injections attempt to reduce the degree or amount of allergy reaction that you get when stung. Allergy injections are often very effective, although not always completely so. Also a period of months is required to build up your immunity. Therefore, you should "play it safe" and always have your emergency medicines available to treat sting reactions.

AAFA’s 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report names most challenging cities for living with allergies, OKC – Fifth; Tulsa – Sixth in the top Ten

Washington D.C., March 14, 2024 — The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its 2024 Allergy Capitals report detailing the most challenging cities in the United States for living with allergies. The full report can be found at allergycapitals.com.

This year, Wichita, Kansas takes the top spot due to its higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average medicine use, and limited access to allergy specialists. The top 10 Allergy Capitals for 2024 are: 1. Wichita, KS; 2. Virginia Beach, VA; 3. Greenville, SC; 4. Dallas, TX; 5. Oklahoma City, OK; 6. Tulsa, OK; 7. Richmond, VA 8. Des Moines, IA; 9. Raleigh, NC, and 10. Fayetteville, AR.

This year’s report again calls attention to the urgency of the climate crisis. Due to climate change, growing seasons start earlier and last longer than they did just 30 years ago. Some parts of the United States now experience pollen (tree, grass, or weed) year-round. Warmer temperatures also trap heat in urban areas, increase air pollution, and stimulate pollen production.

“Climate change fuels a perfect storm of conditions that make allergy season worse for people with pollen allergy,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “Longer growing seasons mean more exposure to pollen allergy triggers. Additionally, pollen counts tend to rise with warmer temperatures. Now, we see both more days of exposure to pollen and higher daily pollen counts leading to more intense, longer-lasting symptoms.”

AAFA’s 2024 Allergy Capitals report provides insight into factors impacting seasonal allergies. The report ranks the 100 most populous cities in the contiguous United States by their:

Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores
Over-the-counter allergy medicine use
Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists

Experts say a range of treatment options are available for people dealing with seasonal allergies this spring.

“Over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms,” said allergist Dr. Neeta Ogden, spokesperson for AAFA. “Working with a specialist can help you develop the best treatment plan.”

While the symptoms of pollen allergy can be managed, they are a significant health concern. Seasonal allergies can even lead to hospitalization if they trigger an asthma episode.

“Our pollen season continues to begin earlier each year,” said Dr. Claire Atkinson, a board-certified allergist with the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic (OAAC). “We’ve already had several allergy alert days this year and we’ve not even made it to the official start of Spring. We want to encourage people who are suffering to see their medical provider and consider making an appointment with an allergist.”

A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies, and determine the specific triggers that cause them, through simple tests. The allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages. The main clinic is on the Oklahoma Health Center campus. For patient convenience, satellite offices are in Edmond, Norman and Yukon.

Visit the OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com to view the addresses for all Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic locations. To make an initial appointment or to request more information, please call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.

For information on preventing and treating allergies and asthma, visit aafa.org.

The post AAFA’s 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report names most challenging cities for living with allergies, OKC – Fifth; Tulsa – Sixth in the top Ten appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Watch where you are going.

Avoid fast, jerky motion; it excites insects.

Wear light-colored clothing when out (picnicking, walking in the woods, etc.)

Do not apply anything that has a sweet odor to your body (such as hair sprays, oils, perfumes or colognes).

Spray picnic area or other dangerous areas beforehand.

Call an exterminator.

Medical therapy of insect allergy will be discussed by your physician.

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AAFA’s 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report names most challenging cities for living with allergies, OKC – Fifth; Tulsa – Sixth in the top Ten

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