By: Annie Hauser
Published: August 2,2013
Deadly insect-sting allergies are on the rise — and August is peak season, according to a new report from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology that's published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
It gets more alarming from there: Insect-sting allergies can strike at any point during your life, so just because you got stung once and were fine doesn't mean your body will always react that way. Reactions tend to be more severe in adults, anyway.
It's not known why these allergies can strike at any time, nor really why they're on the rise nationwide, but climate change has played a role in the increase in severe insect sting reactions, lead author of the paper Dr. David Golden said in an interview with Weather.com. "All allergies [including insect] are becoming more common in Alaska, for example, because of global warming and a longer growing season," he said. "We think the rise in allergies has to do with how our systems are being affected by our environment."
But there's good news. Insect-sting allergies are treatable — and even curable — with an allergist on your side, so if you have had a reaction in the past, you should see an allergist right away. "Venom immunotherapy — allergy shots — is an excellent treatment, so that in a manner of weeks, someone can build up full protection against insects," Golden said. "It used to be believed that patients would need booster allergy shots for forever, but now, studies have shown more people can stop after four or five years of regular shots and continue to be safe [from insect allergies]." Additionally, Golden stressed that negative reactions to allergy shots are uncommon — in fact, it's more likely for a patient to have a severe reaction with a grass or pollen allergy shot.
Peak season for insect stings starts now. August's hot and dry climate is the perfect breeding ground for insects, especially yellow jackets. Throughout September and October, the threat will continue, as hives reach their largest annual size, and insects become more aggressive while looking for food sources. Labor Day weekend barbecuers might also suffer an elevated threat: Insect sting–related emergency room visits spike on big grilling weekends, as more people are eating and drinking outside, Golden said.
To reduce the chance of getting stung by late summer insects, the ACAAI advises individuals to:
It gets more alarming from there: Insect-sting allergies can strike at any point during your life, so just because you got stung once and were fine doesn't mean your body will always react that way. Reactions tend to be more severe in adults, anyway.
It's not known why these allergies can strike at any time, nor really why they're on the rise nationwide, but climate change has played a role in the increase in severe insect sting reactions, lead author of the paper Dr. David Golden said in an interview with Weather.com. "All allergies [including insect] are becoming more common in Alaska, for example, because of global warming and a longer growing season," he said. "We think the rise in allergies has to do with how our systems are being affected by our environment."
But there's good news. Insect-sting allergies are treatable — and even curable — with an allergist on your side, so if you have had a reaction in the past, you should see an allergist right away. "Venom immunotherapy — allergy shots — is an excellent treatment, so that in a manner of weeks, someone can build up full protection against insects," Golden said. "It used to be believed that patients would need booster allergy shots for forever, but now, studies have shown more people can stop after four or five years of regular shots and continue to be safe [from insect allergies]." Additionally, Golden stressed that negative reactions to allergy shots are uncommon — in fact, it's more likely for a patient to have a severe reaction with a grass or pollen allergy shot.
Peak season for insect stings starts now. August's hot and dry climate is the perfect breeding ground for insects, especially yellow jackets. Throughout September and October, the threat will continue, as hives reach their largest annual size, and insects become more aggressive while looking for food sources. Labor Day weekend barbecuers might also suffer an elevated threat: Insect sting–related emergency room visits spike on big grilling weekends, as more people are eating and drinking outside, Golden said.
To reduce the chance of getting stung by late summer insects, the ACAAI advises individuals to:
- Cover up with pants and long-sleeved shirts when gardening or working outdoors.
- Avoid walking barefoot in the grass.
- Take caution when eating or drinking anything sweet.
- Don't wear sweet-smelling perfumes, hairsprays and deodorants when heading outdoors.
If you feel a sting this summer, consult this
guide to figure out what bit you – and whether you should seek medical
attention. Plus, learn how to prevent contact with some of summer’s most
common (and most deadly) creepy crawly creatures.
No comments:
Post a Comment