ABSTRACT
Numerous arthropods can cause allergic reactions in persons by their stings, including various wasps, bees, ants, scorpions, and even caterpillars; however, the ones most commonly involved are paper wasps and yellowjackets, honey bees, and fire ants. Stinging insects in the order Hymenoptera such as bees, wasps, and ants can kill people in two ways: by the sheer numbers of stings producing toxic effects and by the allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. It generally takes 500 or more bee stings to kill an individual by the toxic effects of the venom alone, but just one sting may prove fatal for a person with a bee sting allergy. Both insect inhalant and sting allergy, similar to any other allergy, can usually be effectively managed and treated. By avoiding the offending types or species involved, practicing good sanitation, and applying appropriate immunotherapy or antihistamine therapy, allergic persons should be able to conduct their lives in a relatively normal manner.
