Insects alone are annoying enough. Now imagine being ALLERGIC to them! More than 2 million Americans ARE allergic to insect stings and bites from bees, wasps, fire ants, mosquitoes and scorpions. SOMETIMES these allergies can prove deadly. Stinging insects inject a venom into the body, while BITING insects introduce anti-coagulants. BOTH substances can trigger an immune system response that produces a WIDE range of allergy symptoms. For instance, some people may react with minor swelling or itching, while others can have a full body reaction including HIVES, flushed skin, tingling of the mouth, nausea and vomiting. Additional symptoms of insect allergies can include blistering rashes, bruises, or large areas of swelling. Sometimes these reactions occur suddenly; other times it can take up to 24 hours. LESS common, but incredibly serious, are those who react with an anaphylactic response to an insect sting, like Macaulay Culkin's character did in the movie "My Girl" These rare, but severe, reactions to insect stings or bites cause the airways to swell and blood pressure drastically drops, risking either asphyxiation or cardiac arrest. People prone to this type of severe response ARE at risk of death from a simple bee sting, and will typically carry an epinephrine injection - or Epi-Pen - with them at all times. They should head to a doctor or emergency room RIGHT AFTER any use. Researchers have found that it usually takes at least ONE sting or bite with NO reaction, before an allergy can develop. Which means, even if you ARE allergic, it's rare that you'll react on the first bite.If an insect sting DOES rile up your immune system, you'll be 60 times more likely to have a noticeable allergic reaction after your SECOND exposure to the bite or sting. Treatment for mild allergic reactions to bites and stings includes using a topical anti-histamine cream and an icepack. But if the itching persists, and hives develop, you may want to grab an oral antihistamine and give your doctor a call, just as a precaution. To learn more about allergic reactions, check out videos on this site.