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Hymenoptera allergy, hay fever Mary Hewitt Loveless (April 28, 1899 – June 2, 1991) was an American physician and immunologist who specialized in allergies. She is best known for her discovery that Hymenoptera insect venom allergies could be treated with extracts of the insects' venom sacs.
Hymenoptera is a large order of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species of Hymenoptera have been described, [ 2 ] [ 3 ] in addition to over 2,000 extinct ones. [ 4 ]
Studies suggest that the rate of systemic reactions to stings may be associated with seasonal variations in the venom's potency. 51% of allergic reactions occurred in summer, and 19% in spring. However, A survey reported a higher incidence during spring (39.9%) than summer (31.9%). [39]
Insect sting allergy is the term commonly given to the allergic response of an animal in response to the bite or sting of an insect. [1] Typically, insects which generate allergic responses are either stinging insects ( wasps , bees , hornets and ants [ 2 ] ) or biting insects ( mosquitoes , ticks ).
Less commonly (around 10% of Hymenoptera sting reactions), a large local reaction occurs when the area of swelling is greater than 10 centimetres (4 in). Rarely (1-3% of Hymenoptera sting reactions), systemic reactions can affect multiple organs and pose a medical emergency, as in the case of anaphylactic shock .
Immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venoms is effective at desensitizing 80–90% of adults and 98% of children against allergies to bees, wasps, hornets, yellowjackets, and fire ants. Oral immunotherapy may be effective at desensitizing some people to certain food including milk, eggs, nuts and peanuts; however, adverse effects are common. [ 3 ]
As with other wasps, death due to a single sting on the skin only occurs when an allergy is present, and serious outcomes with Asian giant hornet stings in China and Japan are only documented with many stings or anaphylactic shock due to an existing allergy. [12] People who are allergic to wasp venom may also be allergic to hornet stings.
Allergies to bumble bee stings are much less common than allergies to honey bee stings though the venom composition is similar. B. bimaculatus venom contains additional proteins, including acrosin and a tryptic amidase related to clotting enzymes.