(iVillage Total Health) - If you're allergic to insect stings, there's definitely a buzz you may want to avoid this summer. Bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants may be out in full force this summer and experts are warning people with allergies to beware.
Picnics, camping and other summer outings increase your chances of encountering stinging and biting insects. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), nearly 5 percent of Americans may be at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions to insect stings.
"For most people, getting stung results in temporary pain, redness and swelling at the site of the sting. However, for those with allergies to insect stings, it can result in a sudden, severe reaction called anaphylaxis. This may be fatal if not treated immediately," Dr. Clifford M. Tepper of the AAAAI said in a press release.
Some people may have allergic reactions to saliva or venom released in the stings of bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants. Treatments for insect allergies include allergy shots known as venom immunotherapy. The treatment can dramatically reduce the chance of a life-threatening reaction. Physicians may also prescribe epinephrine, a medication that patients can use to treat themselves during an emergency.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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