Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) may occur with any allergy. They are the most concerning since they may occur suddenly and possibly be life threatening. Family Allergy & Asthma Care of Montana treats patients suffering from anaphylaxis and provides tools and treatment plans for how to handle severe allergic outbreaks.
Most common triggers of anaphylaxis:
- stings (yellow jacket, bee, hornet, and wasp)
- latex allergy
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Treating severe allergic reactions
We provide training on early recognition for patients who face the possibility of a severe allergic outbreak. We train patients on how to receive prompt treatment with adrenalin also known as epinephrine (EpiPen® or Auvi-Q®). We also advise patients to have a plan in the event of an outbreak, as well as a medical ID bracelet. Depending on the trigger, desensitization (allergy shots) may be requested to get a severe allergy outbreak under control.
Insect sting reactions
A bee or other insect has stung most individuals at least once in their lifetime. Although those small local reactions to insect stings are painful and common, they don’t require further allergy evaluation. Some reactions, however, indicate a severe allergy is involved. These include:
- difficulty breathing
- loss of consciousness
- whole body hives or swelling
- or a combination of these symptoms
Those experiencing these symptoms need evaluation and treatment. Allergy testing can identify the insect that caused the reaction. Allergy shots with the insect venom can greatly reduce the risk of a further severe allergic reaction. Insect stings are one of the main causes of anaphylaxis and need to be treated aggressively and proactively in order to prevent life-threatening situations.