As you spend more time outside, you might be noticing more bees visiting your yard. Not only are bee stings and other insect stings painful, but they can cause severe allergic reactions as well. Venom Immunotherapy is a great option for treating stings.
Venom Immunotherapy is the implementation of allergy shots for insect stings. They are recommended for all patients with a history of anaphylaxis to insect stings. Venom Immunotherapy is very effective, and it reduces the risk of a systemic reaction from a future sting down to 5% (compared to 60% if untreated). These allergy shots work by gradually exposing the individual to small amounts of insect venom, desensitizing the immune system, and minimizing the severity of allergic reactions over time. As a proactive measure, Venom Immunotherapy not only significantly enhances safety but also empowers individuals to confidently navigate environments where insect stings may pose a threat.
The process begins with a comprehensive allergy evaluation to confirm a patient’s susceptibility to insect stings, particularly those causing anaphylaxis. Through detailed testing, your medical provider will identify the specific venom triggering allergic reactions.
Once diagnosed, a personalized treatment plan is crafted. This involves the administration of gradually increasing doses of the identified venom through allergy shots. This method helps desensitize the immune system, reducing its hyperreactivity to insect stings over time.
Regular monitoring and adjustments are integral to the Venom Immunotherapy process. The patient receives Venom Immunotherapy shots on a scheduled basis, allowing healthcare professionals to carefully track progress and tailor the treatment as needed. With consistent therapy, the risk of systemic reactions to future insect stings is significantly diminished, providing a heightened level of safety and peace of mind.
It is a desensitization to the venom proteins that cause anaphylaxis. The goal is to prevent anaphylaxis from a bee sting in the individual who previously had an allergic reaction.
Anyone who has previously experienced anaphylaxis to a bee sting and tested positive for an allergy to one of the venom proteins.
Honey bees, wasps, yellow jackets, yellow faced hornets, white faced hornets are typically targeted in venom immunotherapy.
Minimum of three years, but in many cases it is indefinite. Patients will be retested after three years, and if negative, then we will consider stopping venom immunotherapy.
The most common risk associated with venom immunotherapy is an allergic reaction to the shots themselves. Therefore, patients are required to wait for 30 minutes in the office after administration and to carry their epinephrine auto-injector (Epipen or AuviQ) for at least 2 hours after receiving their injections.
