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Doctors wasp stings can even lead to death in case of allergy
Due to the relatively mild winter, there are many more wasps this year. A sting is painful for most sufferers, but not dangerous. According to the Frankfurt University Hospital, the situation is different for people with allergies. In the worst case, they show a systemic reaction that is life-threatening, reports the university hospital.
Whether a wasp sting is dangerous depends on the one hand on the localization and on the other hand on the reaction of the organism to the insect venom. For example, if a sting occurs in the throat or throat, the respiratory tract may swell and death due to suffocation may occur. However, a wasp sting is often a problem due to a systemic reaction to the poison and not because of its localization. The Federal Statistical Office records around 20 deaths every year following a stabbing event, according to a report from the Frankfurt University Hospital. "However, the number of unreported cases is probably much higher, because it is not always the case that the cause of death is recognized as the cause of death," said the head of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at the Frankfurt University Hospital. Eva Valesky.
Wasp stings are usually harmless, but can be life-threatening for allergy sufferers Stings of honeybees and wasp wasps particularly dangerous
"Many insects can cause local or systemic reactions through their sting," say the experts at the Frankfurt University Hospital. Most commonly, however, clinically relevant reactions were triggered by the stings of the honeybee and the wasp. Much more rarely are clinically relevant stinging reactions observed in other insects such as bumblebees, hornets, mosquitoes, ants or even brakes. Due to the mild winter and initially dry summer this year many wasps are on the way, so that more stitches occur, reports the university hospital on. A sting could be fatal for allergy sufferers.
Systemic reactions make wasp stings dangerous
According to the University Hospital, many people are currently hospitalized for allergic reactions to wasp stings. In some cases there is danger to life. "In order for the stung and other people in the environment to react correctly, the effect of the stitch must be correctly classified," the hospital continues. "Whether a stab is really dangerous for people depends very much on the type of physical response," emphasizes Dr. med. Valesky. Here it is "very important to distinguish local reactions - even if they are stronger than normal - from a so-called systemic reaction." Gösta Lotz, senior physician at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management in Frankfurt, is low and they do not need medical care. "If there is anaphylaxis, ie an immune system reaction to the insect venom that affects the entire organism", however, according to the expert, an emergency doctor must be promptly switched on.
Emergency measures after a wasp sting
Affected by an insect sting allergy, which leads to a systemic response to insect stings, in the general population are about 1.2 to 3.5 percent, "reports the University Hospital. Thus, a wasp sting for up to three million Germans can be extremely dangerous. Moreover, in more than a quarter of the population "increased local reactions" after a wasp sting are observed. In a local reaction, according to the experts, swelling and redness occur. As a rule, a moist envelope is sufficient as a home remedy. Optionally, a cortisone cream can be used. In addition, Thermostifte be a possible treatment alternative. Their heat neutralizes the insecticide and thereby reduces the swelling and the associated itching.
In case of allergic reactions contact the emergency doctor immediately
If the stingy show signs of anaphylaxis, according to the experts, the rescue service must be alerted immediately. "If the patient has an emergency kit for allergies, this must be used" Lotz. In addition, "until the arrival of the emergency doctor to perform first aid measures, in extreme cases, to resuscitation." As soon as the ambulance arrives, this will apply the phasing of the anaphylaxis therapy, the physician continues. This initially involves the creation of venous or intraosseous access, ie into the bone marrow cavity. Adrenaline, oxygen, antihistamines and other agents can then be administered through these entryways. "After the acute treatment, the patient must be taken to a suitable hospital, where all necessary methods of intensive care and advanced airway management are available," explains Dr. med. Lotz. "After such an incident, it should not remain in the acute care, but later a more extensive diagnostics should be done," the expert said.
Prevention and long-term treatment
Insect sensitization or allergy is reported by the University Hospital on skin and blood tests to determine the individual risk of anaphylaxis. Based on the findings, sufferers could decide on prevention and longer-term therapies together with physicians. In the event that it comes back to a sting, there are, for example, emergency kits as a self-help. In the long term, a specific immunotherapy by the allergist can help over a five-year period. The physicians at the university hospital are reviewing the success of this therapy in a secure framework - "through a targeted live stab challenge in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology under emergency medical conditions in cooperation with the Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy", reports Dr. med. Valesky. (Fp)