The Allergy Centre Information Series
Allergen Avoidance Information for:
BITE AND STING ALLERGIES
This sheet is a guide for people who have been found to have an allergy to tick or ant bite,
or wasp or bee sting. It is to outline some simple steps to help to avoid
being stung or bitten.
If you have been prescribed an Epi-pen® and provided with an
anaphylaxis action plan you should ensure you always have
easy access to this plan and to your medications at all
times. The bite and sting avoidance advice below should not
replace your action plan.
How to avoid sting and bites:
Bee and Wasp:
‣ Honey Bees normally only sting in self defense. The best protection is light coloured
clothing, covering much of the body (par ticularly the feet) and avoiding scents.
‣ Wasps tend to nest in logs, walls or underground. They are generally more aggressive than
bees and attracted to food and drink, so don't drink blindly from drink cans when outdoors.
‣ Don't pretend to be a flower - avoid wearing perfumes, bright colours and flowery prints,
which attract bees. It is preferable to wear light, white or muted coloured clothing, such
as tan or green.
‣ Stings often occur on bare feet so people with allergies to bites or stings should always
wear shoes when outdoors. ‣ When gardening it is preferable for people with allergies to bites or stings to
wear long sleeves, long trousers and gloves. ‣ Avoid provoking bees and wasps.
‣ Have nearby nests removed by professionals.
‣ Drive with the windows up and the air conditioner on.
Ticks
‣ Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when walking in areas where
ticks occur
‣ Tuck trouser legs into long socks
‣ Wear a hat
‣ Wear light clothes, which makes it easier to see ticks
‣ Brush clothing before coming inside to remove ticks
‣ Undress and check for ticks daily, checking carefully in the neck and scalp
‣ An insect repellent may help, par ticularly ones containing DEET (such as RID, Tropical RID
or Tropical Aerogard or Bushman's)
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The information on this page has been taken from the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website at www.allergy.org.au
The Allergy Centre Information Series
Allergen Avoidance Information for:
BITE AND STING ALLERGIES
What to do if you are tick allergic and find one on your body:
Disturbing the tick can result in the injection of allergen, and this can trigger an allergic
reaction. The following steps are recommended:
‣ Do not forcibly remove the tick
‣ Do not try to kill the tick using insecticide or chemicals (such as oil, turpentine, Kerosene,
methylated spirits). This is because attempts to remove the tick or using these products can
irritate the tick, thus increasing the risk that more allergen-containing saliva may be injected.
Indeed, most allergic reactions to ticks occur when an attempt is made to remove the tick,
or when it is disturbed (such as scratching).
‣ Seek urgent medical attention in case additional treatment is required. The tick can then be
removed under medical supervision where there are the facilities to treat an allergic
reaction.
‣ Use an adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen or Anapen) if potentially dangerous
allergic symptoms occur.
Ideally ticks should be killed before removal, minimizing the transfer of allergencontaining saliva transferred at the bite site. This can be done using a product
called “Aerostart”, medical attention should be sought immediately after doing
so. Aerostar t is a spray containing ether that freeze-dries the tick and kills it
instantly. This allows the tick to fall out without being able to inject saliva
containing allergen. Aerostar t can be purchased from hardware stores and some
service stations, and is commonly used by mechanics to clear carburettors. Since
Aerostar t is a highly flammable product, it is wise to use it outdoors away from
naked flames and to not smoke around the area of use. Aerostar t should only
be used in well ventilated areas, preferably outdoors, and should not be inhaled.
This product should always be stored appropriately.
Rapid cooling of
surrounding skin may occur with use of this product and thus skin irritation.
More information on Aerostart can be obtained at - crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/web_brands/
Aerostar t?openDocument
It is important to note that:
‣ This advice is based on clinical experience of those treating patients with tick allergy
‣ this product is not “registered” for such use
‣ Since it is unlikely that formal studies in this area will occur in the near future, such advice is
based on a consensus of “expert opinion” rather than derived from results of formal clinical
studies.*
*http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/124/151
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