Allergy Menu
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 More than two million North Americans are allergic to stinging insects. The degree of allergy varies widely. Although most are just local reactions around the sting / bite skin site, many, however, will have severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). 50 - 150 deaths occur each year from these stings, and up to one million hospital visits result from insect stings. The majority of stinging insects that can cause anaphylaxis are bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants. The fire ants are only found in the southeastern United States. The following guidelines for avoiding insects are most appropriate during the summer months when insects are highly active.
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- Always wear closed-toe shoes outdoors, avoid going barefoot. Even smooth beach sand can harbor certain types of wasps.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing in which insects can become trapped. Choose clothing that covers arms and legs when outside.
- Wear light colored clothing. White, green, tan and khaki are least attractive to insects. Insects are attracted to bright colors and floral patterns. Bees find black irritating but blue comforting. Also materials like denim and corduroy attract insects.
- Avoid colognes, perfumes, scented lotions, soaps and hairspray.
- Avoid the following, especially when gardening, because they often harbor nests of stinging insects: old trees, clover bushes, shrubs, large rocks, logs, woodpiles, eaves of buildings and shutters.
If you have been stung by a bee and the barbed stinger is left in the skin, to minimize more venom being injected into the skin, do the following: try to gently lift the stinger using a finger nail or knife edge to "flick" the stinger out of the skin.
Do not pinch the stinger.
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 If you know you are vulnerable to anaphylaxis, it is highly advisable you discuss with your physician the preventative measures you can take like obtaining an epinephrine injection kit, obtaining a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet, 1 888 904 7629 (this immediately helps any helper or medical person attending you), devising an emergency response plan and considering a series of allergy shots that can provide immunity to anaphylaxis.
DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE.
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