Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Stings, insect

There are certain insects that sting (inject venom into the skin) as a defence mechanism. In the UK, these insects include bees (honeybees and bumblebees), wasps and hornets.

Most stings are painful but harmless and only affect the area around the sting.

However, some people can have an immediate and more widespread allergic reaction, such as an anaphylactic shock and this can be fatal (see Anaphylaxis topic). This is quite rare (approximately 3 people in 100) and normally only happens with a wasp sting.

Most people who have an allergic reaction have been stung before without an allergic reaction. Some people never have another allergic reaction again after their first. This is why they are almost impossible to predict.

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