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Insect bites and stings - Management
Definition
- Anaphylaxis can occur after an insect sting (usually within minutes), particularly from a bee or wasp, and requires urgent action.
- Anaphylaxis after an insect bite is rare.
- Multiple bee or wasp stings may cause systemic toxicity which requires urgent action as this can be fatal, particularly in children.
- Late-onset reactions to stings can occur (after several hours), which present as urticarial reactions, or serum sickness-like reactions with urticaria, joint swelling and arthralgia.
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