How do you know you're allergic to bees/wasps if you've never been stung?

Question

I've never been stung by any my whole life, so could I die or have a severe reaction the first time if stung?

One time, my bf got bit 10-20 times by some kind of ants(not huge ones or anything). He went to the ER because he started swelling, itching, and having trouble breathing. My bf has been bitten by (numerous)ants a few times in his lifetime. Why would he have a bad reaction on this occasion? By the way, all they did at the ER was give him some benedryl through an IV and send him home. They actually seemed kind of annoyed/amused that a 27 y/o man was at the ER for ant bites!

The point is, if I finally get stung by a bee, will it affect me at first, or would it take more than once to find out that you're (deathly)allergic?

Answer 1

you can go to an allergy clinic and be checked if you really want to know... or if you want you can research the components of the bee sting and try a little home cooked up chemistry experiment. i dont suggest the latter, but if you are bored, broke and are of a mind by all means shoot yourself in the foot. however, before warned if you are deathly allergic to such, you may end up costing yourself more with a trip to the hospital.

everyone has their own tolerance to poisons and foreign substances entering their bodies. anyone can die from an ant bite if enough of them bite you. that is the danger with little creatures that swarm. some people have a stronger constitution than others and so it would take the whole mound to put them in a coma, some it would only take a few dozen, some only one.

its good to know which you are. i think however that they test you for those kinda things when you are little. kinda to help out the parents kinda thing. so if no one has told before now, likelihood is you are not allergic. however your body chemistry does change, so there is a possibility that you have developed a sensitivity to such over time. i think though it is unlikely you can develop a deathly reaction to them as you grow older. well... in less you are one of those symantic people who can cause themselves to become very ill, but that is more a mental problem that chemical, though some would argue.

best i can offer.

Answer 2

I heard that it has to be more than once, but I'm not sure. I do know someone that got stung by something unknown, and had a really bad reaction to it. He went somewhere and had some tests done where they scrape your skin with a few things eg wasp and bee poisin, and a few other insects, and watched his reaction. He didn't find out what it was but you could use these tests to find out if you are allergic I think. Google it mabye?

Answer 3

You can't know until it happens. You'd know the first time. You can go to an allergy doctor and be tested. But that won't be cheap.

Answer 4

It might take more than once, though I've heard talltales about some who have only been stung one time and died.

Neither my sister nor I have gone to ER over stings. We treated these immediately at home with ice, baking soda compresses, benadryl. In case of certain stings, I may have to use an EpiPen, but thankfully I haven't.

Answer 5

ask your parents if ur allergic to the bees they should no

but if they dont just ask your parents to please schedualle a appointment with the doctor

Answer 6

You do not become allergic until you are stung at least one time. The body does not produce the antibodies that cause the allergic reaction until you get stung. The production of the anti bodies can happen at any time in your life time, i.e. you are not allergic to strawberries all of your life but all of a sudden you body decided to produce anti bodies.

After being stung the first time (it can be multiple stings the first time since your body needs time to produce the anti bodies) you can get a blood test for the anti bodies if you are worried. Then you can carry an epinephrine needle pen with you to counteract the effects of the anti bodies on you.

I'm sure it was a shock to see your bf have problems but most people do not.

Answer 7

Most people show a severe allergic reaction after the second time bitten or stung (bee, red ant, mosquito etc...).  

Answer 8

No, you would probably not die with the first sting.  The first exposure to an allergen sets up the reaction to the next exposure.  You can become allergic to something at any time, even after many exposures.  

Answer 9

No one is ever allergic the first time they come in contact with something or are bitten by something.  It's new to your body, therefore you don't have any antibodies against it.  It's the 2nd, and 3rd times that a reaction will come about.  I've only been stung by a bee twice ever in my 30 years and they all occurred before I was 20 - young and stupid to not look where I'm going or what I'm doing.  After your first contact, your body may or may not form antibodies against the bee sting venom.  If it doesn't, you could possibly never develop an allergic reaction.  Some people after the first sting will develop the antibodies and with a 2nd sting - develop a severe reaction.  If it happens and you're at home, take a benadryl immediately (so keep it handy - it comes in liquid, pills and strips).  That's the first course of treatment before you can get to a hospital for an epinepherine treatment.  After that you'll be prescribed an EPI pen to carry with you for on the go treatments, if need be.   So try not to worry about something that has never happened yet.  Don't go by other people's experiences because everyone's body and immune system are vastly different.  

As for your bf and the reaction - there are so many different types of ants that look very similar to each other and without knowing all of the types of ants your bf was bitten by, it's possible to develop a reaction down the road.  He should also keep benadryl handy in his car and at home for just in case situations.  Benadryl is a wonder drug.