Service Description

Insect venom allergy can develop at any age. It may take several uneventful stings for manifestations to appear. After an initial sting, the immune system of an affected patient may respond by producing IgE antibodies. Any subsequent stings can trigger a systemic inflammatory response. Symptoms typically peak between 24 and 48 hours after the sting. It is important to correctly identify the culprit insect, as patients can be allergic to one or several species of stinging insects. It is also important to educate patients who work as beekeepers or greenhouse workers, or who participate in outdoor exercise, as their occupations and hobbies put them at increased risk for receiving a sting. Testing can be used to identify the insects to which a patient is sensitized, which will aid in the selection of the most appropriate treatment. Diagnostic tests should be carried out in all patients with a history of a systemic sting reaction to detect sensitization. As venom immunotherapy (VIT) is indicated in patients with a history of severe systemic reactions and documented sensitization, it is imperative to correctly identify the offending insect.