Getting stung by a wasp can be extremely painful and in some cases life-threatening if you have an allergic reaction. While there is no foolproof way to become completely immune to wasp stings, there are some things you can do to help reduce your sensitivity and minimize reactions when you inevitably get stung.
What causes a reaction to a wasp sting?
When a wasp stings, it injects venom under your skin. This venom contains several compounds, including:
- Histamine – Causes inflammation and itching
- Acetylcholine – Causes pain
- Dopamine – Causes nausea and vomiting
- Proteins – Can provoke an allergic response
For most people, a wasp sting results in immediate localized pain, redness, and swelling around the sting site. This is a normal reaction and part of your body’s inflammatory response as it tries to break down the venom.
In those with more sensitivity, the venom compounds can trigger more severe systemic reactions involving multiple body systems. This type of serious reaction is known as anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening.
Risk factors for severe reactions
Certain people are at increased risk of having a severe allergic reaction to a wasp sting. Risk factors include:
- Having a prior severe reaction – Your risk increases if you’ve reacted severely in the past
- Allergy to wasp venom – Up to 3% of adults have IgE antibodies against wasp venom proteins
- Insect sting allergy – Those allergic to bees are more likely to also react to wasps
- Asthma – Asthmatics have higher rates of systemic reactions
- Systemic mastocytosis – Disorder causing increased mast cells that can release histamine
- Being male – Men are more likely to have anaphylactic reactions than women
The danger is greatest in those who have experienced prior serious reactions like anaphylaxis. Your risk of a recurrent severe reaction is between 20-60% with future stings.
Is it possible to become immune to stings?
There is no way to become completely immune to wasp stings, but you can take some steps to desensitize yourself and reduce the severity of reactions.
For highly sensitized individuals, allergy shots containing small amounts of wasp venom can be administered over time to induce tolerance. This technique, known as venom immunotherapy, works similarly to allergy shots for environmental triggers like pollen or pet dander.
Over a build-up phase of generally around 6 months, injections contain progressively higher concentrations of venom proteins until a maintenance dose is reached. The shots stimulate your immune system to produce protective antibodies and reduce mast cell responsiveness.
Clinical studies show venom immunotherapy is effective in lowering reaction severity in up to 90% of treated individuals. After completing 3-5 years of maintenance shots, 60-85% of patients can discontinue treatment and still have lasting tolerance to stings.
Other ways to reduce your sensitivity
For those who don’t require full immunotherapy, other tactics may help minimize reactions:
- Take an antihistamine beforehand – Pretreating with an antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin can lower histamine-mediated effects.
- Carry an epinephrine auto-injector – Have an EpiPen or equivalent available to immediately treat anaphylaxis.
- Avoid irritating wasps– Don’t swat at them, wear perfumes, or walk barefoot outside.
- Wear long sleeves and pants – Cover up exposed skin when outside to prevent stings.
- Use insect repellent – DEET or picaridin-containing repellents can deter wasps.
- Seal food and trash – Don’t leave sweet drinks or garbage cans open to attract wasps.
- Inspect areas before using – Check pools, picnic areas, and patios for hovering wasps before entering.
- Remove nests – Safely knock down or call exterminators to eliminate large nests on your property.
- Get routine venom shots – Those with moderate sensitivity may benefit from regular injections every few years.
What if you get stung?
If you sustain a wasp sting, here are some steps to treat it and minimize your reaction:
- Get away from the area to avoid more stings
- Remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping it out
- Wash the area with soap and water
- Apply ice to reduce swelling and slow venom absorption
- Take an oral antihistamine to counter allergic effects
- Monitor yourself for signs of anaphylaxis and use epinephrine if it occurs
- Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed
- Watch for infection and see a doctor if the site becomes increasingly red, swollen, or warm over the next few days
Most of the time, a wasp sting can be managed at home with basic first aid. But seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a severe reaction like trouble breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the lips or throat.
Conclusion
Becoming completely immune to wasp stings is not realistic for most people. But you can take steps to avoid getting stung in the first place and be prepared to treat reactions if they occur.
For those most at risk of life-threatening reactions, venom immunotherapy can provide long-term tolerance and improved safety after wasp stings. Lower risk individuals may also benefit from periodic venom injections to maintain some level of protection.
While not completely fail-safe, combining preventative measures, prompt treatment, and considering immunotherapy can significantly improve your resilience to wasp stings over time.