Allergic Diseases

Being allergic to an insect sting can induce anxiety in many people. They can be hard to protect against and reactions can be life-threatening.

The Mayo Clinic Division of Allergic Diseases specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of allergic reactions to stinging insects.

Mayo Clinic allergists take a careful history and perform select skin tests, and possibly blood tests, to various venoms. If a stinging insect allergy is confirmed, the allergist prescribes a plan appropriate for your allergy. You will likely receive avoidance tips, medications to treat the reaction (i.e., epinephrine) and venom immunotherapy to greatly decrease the likelihood of a life-threatening allergic reaction from future stings.