A reaction to a bee, wasp, hornet, or fire ant sting that goes beyond normal swelling and pain — hives, swelling away from the sting site, or trouble breathing — can point to a true insect venom allergy. Testing, and for some patients venom immunotherapy, can help you manage that risk going forward.
Pain, redness, and mild swelling right at the sting site — common and usually resolves on its own.
More extensive swelling around the sting site, sometimes spreading over a day or two.
Hives, swelling away from the sting site, dizziness, or breathing difficulty — this is the pattern that points to a true allergy and needs evaluation.
Identifies which specific insect venom you react to.
Clear guidance on carrying and using an epinephrine auto-injector if it's right for you.
A long-term option for some patients, designed to help reduce the risk of a serious reaction to future stings.
Immunotherapy →We talk through exactly what happened after the sting and how quickly.
Venom testing to confirm and identify the specific trigger.
Avoidance guidance, epinephrine planning, and/or immunotherapy depending on your results.
We check in as your plan takes shape.
Hives, swelling away from the sting site, dizziness, or trouble breathing after a sting are signs of a systemic allergic reaction and warrant an evaluation — seek emergency care right away if breathing is affected.
It's a series of injections containing small, gradually increasing amounts of insect venom, designed to help your immune system respond differently to future stings. It's a longer-term option we discuss based on your testing and history.
For many people with a confirmed venom allergy, yes — we'll talk through whether it's right for you and how to use it.
Yes — we evaluate and test children as well as adults.
Book a visit and we'll work with you to understand your risk and build a plan designed to help.