INSECT STINGS

Allergic reactions to insect stings are a common and often serious medical problem. Estimates of the incidence in the general population of anaphylaxis caused by insect stings over a specified period range from 0.3 to 3 percent1–3. Some episodes are fatal4. People at risk for anaphylaxis often make substantial changes in their lifestyles and are fearful of subsequent exposure to insects. Over the past 15 years, our understanding of the natural history of allergy to insect stings has grown, purified venoms have become available, and methods of measuring serum venom-specific IgE and IgG have been developed for. © 1994, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.