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Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Patients Educational Materials Insect Allergy

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.

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Asthma, Allergies and Pregnancy

 

If you are pregnant and have asthma or allergies, you may feel uneasy about taking medications, but it is very important to keep your symptoms under control.

How do you stay healthy and know which medications are best for you during your pregnancy?

An allergist / immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, can tell you which asthma and allergy medications are the safest and most effective to take throughout pregnancy. Make an appointment with an allergist soon after you discover you are pregnant to develop or review your personal treatment plan and to give you peace of mind.

In the meantime, here are answers to some common questions.

Can women with asthma have safe pregnancies?
Yes. With good asthma management, you can keep your asthma under control and have a healthy baby.

How does uncontrolled asthma affect the fetus?
Uncontrolled asthma symptoms can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in your blood supply. The fetus gets its oxygen from your blood. Since a fetus needs a constant supply of oxygen for normal growth and development, managing asthma symptoms is very important to allow you and your baby to get enough oxygen.

Is it safe to take my asthma medications?
The risks of asthma flare-ups are greater than the risks of taking necessary asthma medications. Studies show that most inhaled asthma medications are safe for women to use while pregnant. However, oral medications (pills) should be avoided unless necessary to control symptoms. Knowing which medications to take is a good reason to stay in close contact with your allergist so he or she can monitor your condition and alter your medications or dosages if needed.

Will being pregnant affect my asthma symptoms?
Pregnancy may affect the severity of your asthma symptoms. One study showed that asthma symptoms were worse in 35% of pregnant women, improved in 28% and remained the same in 33% of pregnant women. Asthma has a tendency to get worse in the late second and early third trimesters.

Can I continue to get allergy shots during pregnancy?
Allergy shots (a form of immunotherapy) are safe to take while you are pregnant. As always, your allergist will monitor your dose to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to the shots. These reactions are rare; however, a reaction could be harmful to the fetus. Allergy shots are not started on patients who are pregnant but can be continued on patients who become pregnant while receiving it. Although current immunotherapy doses can be maintained during pregnancy, doses should not be increased until after delivery.

What should I avoid if I have asthma or allergies?
Whether you are pregnant or not, you should stay away from things that trigger your symptoms. This might include dust mites and animal dander, and irritants such as cigarette smoke.

Can women with asthma perform Lamaze?
Most women with asthma are able to do Lamaze breathing techniques without any problems. Asthma symptoms are rare during labor and delivery in women whose asthma has been managed during pregnancy.

Can I breastfeed if I am taking medications for my asthma or allergies?
Breastfeeding is a good way to increase your child's immunity, and it is strongly recommended. Medications recommended for use during pregnancy can be continued while nursing, because the baby gets less maternal medicine through breast milk than in the womb. Your allergist can discuss with you the best treatments while nursing.

Healthy Tips
Although these are common questions during pregnancy, each patient's individual treatment varies. It is best to visit your allergist regularly during pregnancy so that any worsening of asthma can be countered by appropriate changes in your asthma management plan. Make sure to discuss any specific concerns with your physician to ensure the healthiest pregnancy for your well being and that of your baby.

• You can have a healthy pregnancy if you have asthma or allergies.
• Managing your symptoms is very important during pregnancy.
• Do not stop taking your medications.
• An allergist has special training to develop or review a treatment plan that is right for you while you are pregnant.

 www.aaaai.org

 

The post Asthma, Allergies and Pregnancy appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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