Recognising bee and wasp venom allergies

After a bee or wasp sting, many people quickly think that an allergic reaction has occurred, although - fortunately - it is only a strong but basically normal reaction to a sting.

The reassuring news first of all: a really relevant severe allergy is very, very rare in children. It is more common in adults and can be much worse.

The important thing to know is: NOT an allergy is severe local redness and swelling of ten to twelve centimetres. It is NOT an allergy if a red line forms around the sting site after a few days, i.e. an inflammation of the lymph.

An allergic reaction occurs at the earliest when there are wheals or rashes all over the body. This would then be stage 1, and even at this stage it is actually said that no therapy is required, no emergency kit is needed. However, it is worth consulting your paediatrician, as in individual cases it may be advisable to start treatment even at stage 1.

This is safe from stage 2, which means that so-called systemic reactions are present: severe dizziness, vomiting, circulatory problems. If such reactions occur, usually within the first hour after a sting, then we speak of a relevant bee and wasp venom allergy. This requires detailed clarification and treatment, i.e. hyposensitisation. And these children must also be given an emergency kit.

Finally, it is important to remember that a strong local reaction has nothing to do with an allergy and there is no need to be afraid of the next sting, as nothing usually happens.