I've heard the first time you get stung by an insect, like a bee or wasp, you'll have a normal/mild reaction, even if you happen to have an allergy to the venom. It's the SECOND time you get stung by the same insect that your immune system goes haywire and makes an allergic reaction. And each sting after that, the reaction is either the same level, or worse.
Is this true, or is it possible to have a semi-bad reaction the first time? I'm just curious, because when I was stung by a wasp, I had a normal reaction, nothing allergic. In fact, it was extremely mild! :) At first I was pleased, but then I realized that who knows? I might have a BAD reaction the second time. Is there ANY way to predict, or any clues after the first sting, that you're going to develop an allergic reaction next time? (I don't like the feeling of playing Russian Roulette!)
For what it's worth, I have no allergies to medications, latex, chemicals, etc. Just raw pineapple and raw walnuts!
2006-09-16 14:21:11 · 6 answers · asked by scary shari 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
NO! That is not true.
2006-09-16 14:23:19 · answer #1 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be stung to be allergic. You CANNOT be allergic to something you have never been exposed to. The person who said they had an allergic reaction the first time had to have been exposed perhaps when they were too little to remember.
There isn't really anyway to predict--the only thing I can say is that the sooner an allergic reaction starts after exposure, the more severe it is. You could react up to 24 hours after bee stings, food ingestion, allergy shots, etc., but the quicker it happens, the worse it is--call 911 if it starts immediately.
2006-09-22 09:35:47 · answer #2 · answered by Pam B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not true..
I had a very bad reaction when I got stung the first time by a bee. My throat closed, my body started to swell.. It could have killed me. I was lucky to be very close to a hospital when this occured. I carry a sting kits with me that has shots in it.
You can never predict how you are going to react to a sting, bite, food , etc.
But it is possible that the second time you get stung that the reaction isnt as deadly, but you should never assume. As my doctor has said.
2006-09-16 14:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by giveu2tictacs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is true that severe (anaphylactic) reactions to stings require a prior exposure to the allergen. This is known as sensitization. The first exposure causes the production of a specialized antibody, IgE, which attaches itself to certain immune cells, and 'sensitizes' them, so that they discharge massively on a second exposure. In other words, there is an allergic reaction each time, but only the second and later exposures can result in massive reactions.
The only predictor of a later severe reaction in stings is the occurrance of generalized urticaria (hives) in a prior exposure. Localized reactions do not predict future severe reactions.
Severe reactions to stings are very rare. Over 40,000 people die in the US each year in traffic accidents. Fewer than 100 die from insect allergy.
2006-09-16 18:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by BMD 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your alergic to bee stings then you are going to have a reaction any time that you are stung.
2006-09-16 17:16:44 · answer #5 · answered by Dale 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you become allergic after you get stung for the first time...you have to be stung before you can be allergic
2006-09-16 14:29:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋