Bed venom allergy is one of the most popular insect venom allergies. During the bite, the blackfly injects saliva into our body, which contains proteins, peptides and histamine. The latter substance usually only causes swelling and itching. However, it happens that poisoning the body with the venom of the nap manifests itself in anaphylactic shock, which may result in death.

Allergy to nap venomis like any allergy, excessive, usually rapid, immune reaction of the body to a foreign substance, introduced into the bloodstream after an insect sting.

We distinguish a local allergic reaction that occurs most often or general, i.e. affecting the whole organism - anaphylactic shock.

Why does dander venom sensitize?

The following are responsible for the poisonous properties of the nape saliva:

  • proteins that have the ability to destroy human tissues
  • peptides responsible for allergic reactions
  • histamine, which is responsible for the inflammation of the skin after a bite: itching, pain, redness and local swelling

People who are not allergic were treated only with histamine, which is manifested by inflammation of the skin. However, in people allergic to venom, proteins and peptides, i.e. substances responsible for the formation of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, which causes a drop in pressure, swelling of the larynx mucosa, suffocation and death, also act.

Who may be allergic to fluff venom?

The occurrence of an allergic reaction to the fluff venom depends on the presence of antibodies to the components of this poison in the body.

Antibodies involved in allergic reactions, i.e. IgE antibodies, can be directed against various allergens, including insect venom.

To find out if you are allergic to fluff venom, you should perform special blood tests, the so-called panel of specific IgE for insects.

Allergy to dust venom - symptoms

In non-allergic people, i.e. those who have a sufficient amount of antibodies in their body, only skin symptoms occur at the site of the sting, that is:

  • redness
  • pain
  • swelling less than 10 cm
  • itchy wound

If symptoms persist24 hours a day, it means that it is the body's natural physiological response to a foreign substance, i.e. the venom in the saliva of the nap.

If we observe the inflammation of the skin for more than 24 hours, it may mean that the insect introduced bacteria during the bite, which led to the so-called secondary infection.

In allergic people, acute symptoms of an allergic reaction usually appear from a few or several minutes to several hours. An allergic reaction after a fluff sting may be of the so-called a large local reaction or a general reaction, the symptoms of which are:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • stomach ache
  • dizziness

Treatment of allergy to nap venom

  • causal treatmentis allergen immunotherapy. This type of treatment is used in people who have had a generalized immediate allergic reaction and whose allergy has been confirmed by blood tests (determination of specific antibodies in the serum). Desensitization is carried out even for several years. However, this method of treatment is most effective. After the end of therapy, the risk of an allergic reaction is only about 10 percent.
  • symptomatic (topical) treatmentis performed to relieve skin inflammation: pain, itching, redness and swelling around the sting site. For this purpose, you can try proven home remedies for fluff bites. However, the first thing you should do is take antihistamines.
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Allergies