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Step 1
Detail the history of the sting to your doctor. He will want to know what insect stung you, when it occurred and how soon afterwards you noticed the symptoms. Allergic reactions vary with each individual but generally, the sooner the symptoms appear, the more severe the allergy.
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Step 2
Learn to recognize the different types of stinging insects. The most common are bees, hornets, fire ants and wasps.
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Step 3
Determine your sensitivity level to specific insect bites by undergoing a skin patch test in an allergist’s office. The doctor will write numbers on your back and then inject tiny amounts of different insect venom by each number to observe the reaction. Swelling at the site of the injection indicates an allergy to that insect.
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Step 4
Undergo a blood test if the skin patch test is not conclusive. As a secondary diagnostic measure, an allergist may draw blood and send it to a lab for analyzing.
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Step 5
Carry a bottle of over-the-counter antihistamine tablets with you if you experience a mild allergic reaction to insect stings. If your doctor diagnosis a severe allergy, he may require you to carry an epinephrine kit on your person at all times in order to inject yourself immediately, should you receive an insect bite.
