Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Watch where you are going.

Wasps build cones in sheltered places, especially under porches and eaves. Wasps may also nest on fences or around boat docks. Hornets can build oval paper nests suspended well above the ground. Yellow jackets have a habit of nesting in the ground, under rocks, or in walls of buildings. If you see more than two yellow jackets or bees close to the ground surface, pause for a moment to see what they do or where they go. If they suddenly vanish into the fall leaves or grass, be cautious, their nest may be close by. Bees and wasps usually sting only when their nests are threatened or when they are actually touched.

Activities with particular risk include; tampering in any way with wasp nests or yellow jacket burrows. This may accidentally occur when mowing the lawn, cutting flowers, trimming hedges or shrubs, or painting a house. Wasps and yellow jackets search for food around open soda cans, trash or garbage cans. Picnic grounds and clover fields are favorite gathering places for these insects too. Never go barefoot or wear sandals outdoors.

Avoid fast, jerky motion; it excites insects.

If you are "buzzed" by a bee or wasp, never flail at it with your arms. Instead, stop or keep walking slowly. Stinging insects are more apt to attack a fast-moving object than a stationary or slow-moving one. (Sometimes, however, one must run for safety, as when a large nest is disturbed.)

Wear light-colored clothing when out (picnicking, walking in the woods, etc.)

Bees are extremely color-sensitive. Dark shades, especially brown, black and dark red, seem to anger them; floral prints also can attract bees. As every beekeeper knows, white or khaki clothing seldom bothers them. Loose-fitting clothing, such as head scarves and billowing skirts, are undesirable because a bee or wasp may become trapped in these.

Do not apply anything that has a sweet odor to your body (such as hair sprays, oils, perfumes or colognes).

Bees and wasps sense sweet orders easily. Hair oils and perfumes which contain floral odors attract them. If a bee or wasp becomes entangled in human hair, its first reaction is to sting. Shower with non-perfumed soaps.

Spray picnic area or other dangerous areas beforehand.

To avoid having yellow jackets and bees gather at a picnic table, spray area beforehand with a fast acting insecticide. Avoid insecticide sprays containing pyrethrum, as this chemical can aggravate allergy symptoms. Keep a can of insecticide in the kitchen to be used to spray the trash and garbage can area, in the glove compartment of the automobile and nearby when working outdoors for use when an insect approaches you.

Call an exterminator.

Don't do it yourself. Be sure there are no nests of yellow jackets, bees, or other wasps in the immediate area of your house, garden, or lawn. Don't try to dispose of the nest by yourself. It is a tricky business, requiring expert use of insecticides. One mistake can unleash scores of angry stinging insects.

Medical therapy of insect allergy will be discussed by your physician.

Injectable adrenaline (EPIPEN), antihistamines, or medicated sprays may be used to counter the allergy reaction. A program of emergency treatment appropriate for your specific condition will be prescribed. Please ask questions if you do not understand any part of your medical program. Allergy injection therapy may also be included in your treatment program. Allergy injections attempt to reduce the degree or amount of allergy reaction that you get when stung. Allergy injections are often very effective, although not always completely so. Also a period of months is required to build up your immunity. Therefore, you should "play it safe" and always have your emergency medicines available to treat sting reactions.

Back to School with Asthma and Allergies

Back to School

Where did the summer go? It’s almost back to school time for thousands of Oklahoma children. Is your family ready? Are your children starting a new school? Was your child recently diagnosed with an allergy, a food allergy and/or asthma? OAAC will help you be prepared for back to school!

First, if you need birth certificates, they can be ordered online oklahoma.gov/health/services/birth-and-death-certificates.html or by calling 877-817-7364. The cost is $15. Additional copies $15. There is an online/phone convenience fee of $5.

Need immunization records? You can access them online through the Oklahoma Immunization Information System Portal - shotrecords.health.ok.gov

Children with Asthma
Talk to your OAAC provider especially if your child’s asthma is not in control. Update or complete an Asthma Action plan to use at home and at school. You can download a plan from the OAAC website oklahomaallergy.com/wp-content/uploads/521-ASTHMA-ACTION-PLAN.pdf Update any medication orders. If your child is going to a new school, make an appointment to have a conversation with the school staff. Review when your child should take his/her asthma medications. Ensure your child or teen is using daily controller medications on schedule and quick-relief medication as needed.

Visit with the school’s nurse or school administrator about your child’s asthma. Take the medication, forms and supplies to school before or by the first day. For those with children who use a nebulizer, check with the school to see if you need to provide tubing and a face mask and/or the nebulizer itself.

Develop a healthy schedule which includes eating regular, nutritious meals and a set sleep routine.

Check with your child at the end of school day to see if he/she experienced any issues maintaining their asthma at school.

Children with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction may complain about participating in physical activities. However, it is very important for children to stay active, so work with school staff to develop strategies to keep your child symptom-free while exercising. These may include:
•    Using a short-acting inhaler 15 minutes prior to exercise
•    Drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercise
•    Choosing sports that are less likely to trigger symptoms.

Allergies at School

Depending on your child’s allergic condition, you may want to:
•    Tour the school to identify potential allergy triggers
•    Talk with your child’s teacher(s) and other relevant school personnel (such as sports coaches) about your child’s condition and treatment plan
•    If your child is at risk for life-threatening reactions, such as those to food or insect stings, complete an Anaphlyaxis Action Plan and show school staff how to administer autoinjectable epinephrine.

In the Classroom
There are many potential allergy and asthma triggers in schools. It is very important that your child’s allergies have been accurately diagnosed in order to determine what allergens to avoid. If your child has not been tested, make an appointment with the OAAC for testing.

Common asthma and allergy triggers in the classroom include:
•    Dust mites
•    Mold
•    Chalk dust
•    Animal dander

At Recess, Gym Class and After-School Sports
Recess may be the favorite time of the school day for many children, but for those with allergies or asthma, it can be a minefield of potential triggers.

If your child has allergic rhinitis (hay fever), you can view the daily pollen and mold counts (Monday-Friday) on the OAAC website and on social media. When levels are very high, plan accordingly if your child takes medication to control symptoms. When indoors, ask staff to keep windows closed to keep pollen out.

Insect bites can cause severe reactions in children with stinging insect allergy. Explain the symptoms to school staff and make sure your child always carries auto injectable epinephrine in case of an emergency.

Working as a team with your OAAC provider, your school staff and your family, back to school can be an easy transition with proper preplanning.

The post Back to School with Asthma and Allergies appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Insect Allergy: Decrease Your Chances of Being Stung

Watch where you are going.

Avoid fast, jerky motion; it excites insects.

Wear light-colored clothing when out (picnicking, walking in the woods, etc.)

Do not apply anything that has a sweet odor to your body (such as hair sprays, oils, perfumes or colognes).

Spray picnic area or other dangerous areas beforehand.

Call an exterminator.

Medical therapy of insect allergy will be discussed by your physician.

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Back to School with Asthma and Allergies

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