Allergies are abnormal or adverse reactions to a substance. Insect allergies are a reaction to insect stings or bites. It can also occur with exposure to such insects in an environment.

Stinging insects include:

• Honeybees
• Yellow jackets
• Hornets
• Wasps
• Fire ants

Biting insects include:

• Blackflies
• Fleas
• Horseflies
• Mosquitoes
• Kissing bugs

Insects that cause respiratory allergies include:

• Cockroaches
• Midges
• Lake flies
• Caddisflies

Factors that increase your chance of insect allergies include:

• Age: young children
• History of other types of allergies, including hay fever
• Family history of allergy
• Occupations that expose you to insects
• Living conditions that expose you to insects or dust-containing insect allergens

An allergy to biting and stinging insects can affect the area around the bite or sting and cause:

• Skin rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling
• Redness
• Hotness

Anaphylaxis can be a life-threatening reaction that causes:

• Skin rash, hives, itching, swelling in areas away from the sting site
• Swelling of lips, tongue, face, throat, and eyelids
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing
• Dizziness, fainting
• Severe drop in blood pressure
• Respiratory and/or cardiac arrest

Some insects cause respiratory allergies that result in:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Most diagnoses are based on a history of a reaction after a sting.

Tests include:

• Skin prick test—An extract of the insect's venom or protein is diluted. The dilute is placed on your forearm or back skin. If there is swelling or redness, an allergic reaction may be present. The doctor will make the diagnosis based on the skin test and your history of symptoms. Some skin tests can have a severe allergic reaction. This test should only be used under the supervision of a physician or other trained medical personnel. Severe eczema may make this test hard to interpret.
• RAST or ELISA test—The doctor may order blood tests (RAST or ELISA). These tests measure the level of insect-specific IgE in the blood. IgE is a type of protein that the body produces when it comes in contact with something to which it is allergic. The presence of IgE in the blood may indicate an allergy.

Some reactions cause trouble breathing. In this case, call for emergency medical help.

Treatment may include:

• Epinephrine —injected immediately in the event of a severe, life-threatening insect sting allergy (anaphylaxis)
• Antihistamine medications—to decrease swelling and itching
• Ice—applied to local area of sting or bite to decrease swelling
• Corticosteroid medications—for more severe swelling, itching, nasal congestion, and sneezing
• Bronchodilators—inhalers that can be used to decrease asthma -like symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath
• Venom immunotherapy—a series of allergy shots to gradually desensitize you to insect stings; usually for honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, or fire ants

If you are diagnosed with a reaction to an insect bite or sting, follow your doctor's instructions .