Insect Stings Hold Deadly Risk for Some
New guidelines issued to help diagnose, treat those with insect allergies
Saturday, June 11, 2011SATURDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- For most people, insect stings are a painful annoyance, but they can be deadly for those who are allergic to them, researchers warn.
Each year in the United States, more than half a million people have to go to emergency departments after suffering insect stings, and at least 50 die, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, which recently released updated guidelines for diagnosing and treating people with hypersensitivity to insect stings.
Its three key recommendations for people who are allergic to stings:
- Consider allergy shots
- Avoid all stinging insects, including bumblebees
- Be aware of factors that increase the chances of a serious reaction
Research indicates that allergy shots are effective in preventing allergic reactions to stings. The shots work like a vaccine, exposing recipients to increasing amounts of the stinging insect allergen in order to boost the immune system's tolerance of it.
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