Diagnosis of the patients with possible insect bite allergy
The very important fact relates to the information about the previous bites and their clinical consequences (local reaction – global reaction, its therapy duration, way and effect). If it is possible, the identification of the insect (e.g. wasp, bee) will be suitable, as well. You can be allergic to one or more insect species.
The allergy reaction initiator determination is important for the therapy, but also for the prevention and avoidance of further episodes.
If you do not know the name of the insect, the identification can be helped by following facts:
● how did it look like? the colour, pattern
● where was it found? (trees, grass, ground)
● how did it behave? (was it provoked into biting; was it aggressive)
● did it leave the sting in the affected spot?
The professional diagnosis is made with the help of the skin tests with the toxin of the particular suspicious insect (commercially prepared). According to the severe reactions danger many various concentrations are gradually used.
If the skin tests are not persuasive, the laboratory examination, where all IgE type antibodies against the insect species toxins (as far as we are concerned it goes for bees and wasps) are determined, will be made.
Tags: Allergy, allergy reaction, clinical consequences, Diagnosis, insect, insect bite