Berlin, 29 August 2023 – Almost no-one gets through the summer without being bitten by an insect. But when a wasp gets too close, people often tend to panic. No-one wants to get stung. Generally, insects prefer to steer clear of people. However, this strategy of aversion only works to a certain extent. Frantic movements or raising your voice to drive the insects away often have the opposite effect: The animals feel under threat and sting to deter the perceived enemy. Wasps in particular retain some of their venom to be able to sting again. So if you are allergic to an insect venom, you had better be prepared.

How do you know if a wasp sting is serious?

People allergic to wasp venom are faced with life-threatening situations time and again. Typical signs of an allergic reaction after a sting are itching and redness, but also painful swellings that can spread over the entire body. In people with allergies, the proteins contained in wasp venom actively trigger an immune system response. This can lead to other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. At its most severe, it can cause anaphylactic shock, a body-wide acute reaction of the immune system that can lead to cardiovascular failure if emergency measures are not taken.

Six different wasp venom allergens have been identified to date. The risks associated with severe insect venom reactions are cardiovascular diseases, allergic asthma, but also a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past.

Immediate action is crucial

If the respiratory tract swells or the cardiovascular system reacts, immediate first aid is needed to save the life of the affected person. In such cases, it is essential to have access to an emergency kit containing liquid antihistamine and cortisone, which must be swallowed, and an adrenaline pre-filled syringe (autoinjector), which is injected into the thigh.

“In case of an imminent anaphylactic shock, a quick response is absolutely essential,” says Professor Torsten Zuberbier, Chair of the ECARF Foundation. “Adrenaline injectors are easy to use and quickly stabilise both circulation and blood pressure. Even non-professionals or the affected persons themselves can use them without difficulty. Unfortunately, such injectors are not always at hand, unless the affected person himself has an emergency kit with him. This needs to change!”

An adrenalin emergency kit for everyone

Thanks to the initiative of cardiological associations, defibrillators, which can be life-saving in the event of cardiovascular failure, can be found in all public spaces. ECARF’s goal is not only to further raise awareness about the deadly dangers of insect venom allergies, but also to advocate for improved medical care nationwide for people at risk of anaphylaxis.

A solution is currently being developed and implemented in the form of a so-called “adrenaline emergency kit”, which contains an adrenaline injector including emergency instructions. In the future, this will make it possible to provide life-saving first aid in public places such as airports, sports grounds, or company canteens. In collaboration with cardiological societies, a concept is in the works that will facilitate the maintenance of emergency defibrillators as well as the testing of adrenaline auto-injectors.

“The high availability of defibrillators in public spaces and their use in emergencies has become common practice,” says Torsten Zuberbier. “I would very much like to also see adrenaline injectors made available in this way in future for life-saving first aid. This is the only way to avoid anaphylactic shock and save lives in an emergency.”

More Informations:

Zuberbier T. Insect Venom Allergy  ECARF Website

Klimek L.  et al Weißbuch Allergie in Deutschland. 4. überarbeitete und erweiterte Ausgabe, Springer Verlag 2019

Naturschutzbund Deutschland  So gehen Sie mit Wespen richtig um

Worm M. et al. Triggers and Treatment of Anaphylaxis – An Analysis of 4000 Cases From Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(21):367-75.

Schäfer T. Epidemiologie der Insektengiftallergie. Allergo J 2009;18:353-8.

Action plan for the worldwide availability of adrenaline auto-injectors

National policies on the availability of adrenaline auto-injectors in public facilities (schools, day-care centres, public transport, parks, etc.) are only in place in a few countries (16 %). Click here for the corresponding statement of the World Allergy Organization .

The EAACI und Ga2len expert group has called for a collaborative partnership between medical practitioners, community and school nurses, school staff, parents, and children to ensure the protection of schoolchildren with allergies. They recommend that teachers are trained to recognise signs of anaphylaxis and to use an adrenaline auto-injector, which should be made available in all schools.

Action plan for the worldwide availability of adrenaline auto-injectors

National policies on the availability of adrenaline auto-injectors in public facilities (schools, day-care centres, public transport, parks, etc.) are only in place in a few countries (16 %). Click here for the corresponding statement of the World Allergy Organization .

The EAACI und Ga2len expert group has called for a collaborative partnership between medical practitioners, community and school nurses, school staff, parents, and children to ensure the protection of schoolchildren with allergies. They recommend that teachers are trained to recognise signs of anaphylaxis and to use an adrenaline auto-injector, which should be made available in all schools.

PRESS CONTACT:

Stefanie Link – Head of Communication
ECARF, Robert Koch Platz 7, 10115 Berlin
T +49 (0)30 857 48 94 25 / M +49 (0) 151 227 808 11
Stefanie.Link@ecarf.org