Search
× Search
Menu
  1. Home
  2. Allergy Report
    1. Hours and Locations
    2. Our History
    3. Our Mission
    4. Our Providers
    5. COO Welcome
    6. FAQs
    7. Join Our Team
    1. Hours and Locations
    2. Main Office
    3. Edmond Office
    4. Norman Medical Park West
    5. Yukon Office
    1. Services
      1. Allergic Rhinitis
      2. Allergies
      3. Anaphylaxis
      4. Asthma
      5. Food Allergies
      6. Mold Allergies
      7. Pollen Allergies
    2. New Patients
    3. Telemedicine Instruction
    4. Portal Login
    5. Insurance & Self Pay
    6. Educational Materials
    7. Allergy Related Websites
    1. Blog
    2. Follow Us
  7. Contact

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.

Conditions Treated

Recent News

SuperUser Account
/ Categories: News

Itchy Eyes

Have your eyes been itchy and driving you crazy? It might not be what you think it is. Allergic conjunctivitis with hay fever, dry eye, pink eye or blepharitis could lead to wrong treatment and side effects.

With an estimated 50 million white blood “mast” cells, the eye can sense irritants and release histamine and other substances to defeat the irritants. Histamine stimulates eye nerve endings which irritates the eyes causing the itch.

Approximately 50 million people in the U.S. have allergies. Some are allergic to environmental triggers but the majority experience symptoms when grass, pollens and mold are in the air. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, ragweed, mold, pet dander, perfumes, smoke and some fragrances or cosmetic ingredients.

When allergies target the eyes, the condition can be miserable. Eye conjunctivitis may get treated as part of a nasal allergy or it can be mistaken for other serious conditions like infectious conjunctivitis also known as pink eye, dry eye disease, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), herpes virus or keratitis (corneal ulcer).

Making these distinctions is critical to ensuring the proper treatment is diagnosed, to quickly reduce the symptoms and reduce the potential risk of harm to the eyes. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) warns that extended use of some nasal allergy medications can leave allergic eyes drier and even more irritated.

Usually if the eyes are itchy and watery, it’s probably an allergy with intense itching with tearing and redness.

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Most of the eye allergies in the U.S. are seasonal conjunctivitis occurring in the spring, summer and fall. Symptoms include dark under the eye circles, light sensitivity and puffy eyelids.

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis

This condition is where eye allergies occur year-round but commonly caused by household/workplace irritants, dust mites, mold and pet dander. The symptoms are the same as seasonal conjunctivitis but usually less severe.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

This year-round condition and worsen during pollen seasons and targets boys, young men, and people with asthma or eczema. Symptoms include the feeling of something in your eye and light sensitivity.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

Another year-round atopic (sensitive to allergens) keratoconjunctivitis, this strikes older men who have allergic dermatitis (an immune reaction in the skin). Symptoms are eye burning and a thick mucus that accumulates on eyelids overnight.

Contact Allergic Conjunctivitis

Direct contact with potential allergens such as eye drops with preservatives can lead to this reaction. Symptoms can also cause discomfort wearing contact lenses and mucus discharge.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

This severe condition leads to fluid sacs (papules) forming in the upper eyelid lining. Doctors can see them by turning the lids inside out. Other symptoms include blurry vision from mucus discharge, foreign body sensation, discomfort wearing contacts and a sense that contacts are moving, puffy or droopy eyelids.

What else could it be other than an eye allergy?

Pain in the eye or diminished vision are serious symptoms not typical for allergies. Dry Eye Disease (DED) allergy and DED are very similar. Pink eye causes red, painful eyes indicating infection of inflamed conjunctiva. Pink eye is very contagious and usually begins in one eye and generates a sticky secretion that coats the lashes. A swollen lymph not by the ear may also appear.

Pollen clogged tear grands can resemble blepharitis, a disorder of the eyelid’s oil producing glands. It can almost always be infectious and symptoms include irritation, redness, flaky eyelid skin and crusted lashes.

Karatitis is the inflammation of the cornea, and symptoms include redness, pain, watering, blurry or decreased vision and rarely itchiness. Herpes eye disease can lead to pain, tearing, redness, light sensitivity, and a skin rash or sore near the eye. Observation or special blood tests can confirm this disease.

Other itchy conditions include contact dermatitis, atopic eczema and psoriasis all have itching on the eyelid or the skin around the eye.

Prevention

  • Avoid a known allergen
  • Protect eyes with sunglasses, visored hats and swimming goggles
  • Wash hands when coming indoors (especially after handling animals)
  • Wash your face to clean off allergens
  • Soothe eyes with a cold compress
  • Try preservative free tear substitutes
  • Consider mite-proof bedding
  • Wash sheets and blankets in hot water weekly
  • Check for and eliminate mold by regularly cleaning the areas of your home where moisture may accumulate (base of the toilets, closets, mudrooms, HVAC filers, water filters, windowsills and gutters
  • Use air conditioning in your car and in your home
  • Leave your shoes at the door

Avoidance

  • Eye drops with herbal extracts
  • Eye products using preservatives
  • Window fans that draw in allergens
  • Indoor humidity exceeding 50 to 50 percent to discourage mold
  • Dry dusting or sweeping floors and spreading allergens
  • Wearing contact lenses too long
  • Rubbing eyes

If you think you might have an eye allergy, discuss this with your OAAC provider. There are many types of drugs and treatments available. Your OAAC allergist can find the right mix of medication and treatment to defeat the eye allergy itch.

The post Itchy Eyes appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

Previous Article Biologics for the Management of Severe Asthma
Next Article FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure
Print
589
Tags: News
GET SOCIAL
Main Office

750 N.E. 13th, 3rd floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-235-0040

Mon-Thu: 7:30am – 5:20pm
Fri: 7:30am – 11:30am
Sat (Injections only):
8:00am – 11:40am

Terms Of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright 2026 by Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic
Back To Top