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Know the Source of a sting

Stinging Insect Allergies

For most people, stinging insects are just annoying. But for nearly 10 million people in the U.S., just one sting can potentially trigger a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called a systemic anaphylactic reaction.¹ Allergy blood tests can analyze patients' sensitivity to different venom proteins found in honey bees, yellow jackets and wasps and help guide treatment decisions.
a bee extracting pollen from a bright yellow flower

Stinging insect allergy information for healthcare providers

Determining if your patient is a candidate for venom immunotherapy with whole allergen testing can be difficult as up to 59% of venom patients test positive for both bee and wasp venom.

That’s why Labcorp now offers component-resolved diagnostic testing to discriminate between true sensitization and cross-reactivity, improving specificity and:

  • Supporting successful venom immunotherapy

  • Minimizing side effects

  • Lowering treatment costs²


 

Identify culprit insects and guide the selection of therapy

While venom allergy testing can confirm a diagnosis, it cannot itself make a diagnosis nor reliably predict the severity of a reaction. Test results can guide the selection of venom immunotherapy (VIT).3,4

View Allergy Test Report Exampleopens in a new tab

Who to test

  • Patients with a recent severe sting anaphylaxis to identify the species and venom immunotherapy
  • Patients with a systemic sting reaction that is not severe

Patients with a large local sting reaction or those with a relative with a stinging insect allergy should not be tested.

Stinging Insect Venom Allergen Component Testingopens in a new tab

Labcorp can help meet your allergy needs

Contact a Labcorp representative to learn more about how we can help meet your allergy testing needs

 

 

Did you know?

60% People who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if stung again.⁵

References

  1. Golden DB, Demain J, Freeman T, et al. Stinging insect hypersensitivity: A practice parameter update 2016. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;118(1): 28-54.
  2. Spillner E, Blank S, Jakob T. Hymenoptera allergens: from venom to “venome.” Frontiers in Immunology. 2014; 5: 1-7.
  3. Golden DB. Insect sting anaphylaxis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007;27(2):261–vii.
  4. Children’s Minnesota. Chemistry: Allergen IGE, Wasp Venom. https://www.childrensmn.org/references/lab/chemistry/allergen-ige-wasp-venom.pdf.  Accessed 14 Jun 2022.
  5. Insect Sting Allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/insect-sting-allergies/ Accessed 15 July 2022.