Insects with two pairs of membranous wings. Three large super families are included: apids (bees and bumble bees), vespids (wasps) and ants.
Only female bees and wasps can sting. Their egg-laying ovipositor is modified into a stinger. When stinging, it injects a venom that can cause an allergic reaction.
A study of the person's medical history is done and intradermal cutaneous tests with venom extracts together with immunoglobulin E and serum basal tryptase blood tests are done.
The sting should be removed without squeezing the venom sac. For local reactions a cold press or Cortisone-based creams should be applied. Oral antihistamines can be taken. For systemic reactions epinephrine can be injected and emergency aid is called upon if required.
It is the only treatment acting on the origin of the allergy to Hymenoptera venoms.. It consists of administering controlled doses of purified wasp or bee venom by subcutaneous injection in the arm. The vaccine causes desensitization, reducing the body’s sensitivity to the allergen, thereby preventing the occurrence of an allergic reaction. It reduces the severity of adverse reaction and improve the patients’ quality of life.