Allergy: Insect Sting (cont.)

Next Steps

Follow-up

Make sure that all of your health care providers are aware of the type of reaction you have had.

If you have had a severe or all-over reaction, you should be given a prescription for an epinephrine injection kit (EpiPen) when you leave the hospital.

• This is a premeasured dose of epinephrine in an easy-to-use syringe.
• You would inject yourself in the thigh muscle with the epinephrine at the first sign of a reaction.
• Someone at your medical office can show you how to use the kit. Clear instructions are also provided at the web site of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
• It is recommended that you keep 2 or more of these kits at different locations and that you keep one with you at all times in case of a sting.

If you have a severe or all-over reaction to an insect sting, you should see an allergy specialist (allergist). Desensitization therapy is available for some types of venom allergies.