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.

Making Halloween Fun for Everyone

When a child has a food allergy, holidays can be especially tough for both the child and the child’s family, says Oklahoma Asthma & Allergy Clinic’s Board-Certified Allergist Dr. Maya Gharfeh.

“Holidays are such an important and fun part of childhood,” said Gharfeh. “One of the most important things of raising a child with a food allergy is to not let him or her feel different or isolated because of the food allergy. Instead, we adapt and still let the holiday be as fun as possible.”

The Teal Pumpkin project is an initiative created by the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) network to promote a safe Halloween for all including those with a food allergy. It encourages families to place a teal pumpkin on their doorstep to let families know they have non-food treats available for kids with food allergies. Those who wish to participate can register their home address on the FARE website so families can pre-plan their trick or treating.

Any food allergy is potentially life threatening. An accidental exposure through ingestion of a food allergen may quickly lead to a life-threatening situation where a child would need emergency medication – like epinephrine – for survival.

As the mother of a child with a food allergy, Gharfeh has first-hand knowledge. She suggested ideas they’ve done to make a happier Halloween for their daughter.

“We have a rule of no eating or snacking on candy while trick or treating. We go house to house and collect treats as normal. Once we get home, we dump them out and I sort the candies into safe and non-safe, specific for my daughter,” Gharfeh said.

She always keeps safe treats at home for a swap out for those unsafe ones.

“No one wants a half-full Halloween basket,” she said.

Non-food items for those swap outs could include stickers, glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces, Halloween pencils, spider rings, etc.

“Since my daughter has a nut allergy, we try to stay away from most of the chocolate candies and stick with sugar candies such as Skittles or Jolly Ranchers,” Gharfeh added. “We always carry our emergency epinephrine device with us while trick or treating to be ready for an emergency.”

Other ideas for making Halloween safer, Gharfeh says, includes hosting your own Halloween party with allergy safe food treats and non-food items as treats. She encourages families to educate their neighbors and friends about the Teal Pumpkin project. Volunteer for school positions to allow more involvement in choosing snacks/treats for holidays such as Halloween.

“Kids love painting pumpkins,” Gharfeh said. “By inviting your neighbors to participate, you have provided an opportunity to ensure some safe stops for your food allergic littles in your neighborhood.”

FARE recommends has these ideas to celebrate the teal pumpkin project:

Decorate your front door. Grab some teal plastic pumpkins (available at local retailers), festive decorations and transform your door. Get your whole neighborhood involved.
Host a virtual Halloween party. Staying inside this year? Plan a virtual party so kids can dress up and show off their costumes. Make the party even more interactive by playing fun games online like bingo or trivia.
Set up a craft and activity station and let the kids loose! From coloring sheets to word matches, FARE has printable resources for getting kids excited about Halloween.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt – get your kids outside and moving. Take a walk or drive around to try and spot sooky sights. Bonus points for spotting teal pumpkins.
Stay in for a scary movie night. Invite your friends and neighbors over to watch your favorite Halloween movie.
For food allergy friendly recipes, check out the FARE website www.foodallergy.org

If families suspect their child might have a food allergy, Gharfeh says, “Come see a board-certified allergist. We want to help not only diagnose but also to help you, your child, and your family know what a food allergy means and the steps to ensure a safe, healthy and fun childhood, even with a diagnosis of a food allergy.” Teal Pumpkin Campaign

The post Making Halloween Fun for Everyone 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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