| Popis: |
Skin testing and venom immunotherapy utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera and imported fire ant allergy can be associated with adverse events ranging from mild, local reactions to systemic allergic reactions. A variety of factors increases the risk of these reactions and should be considered prior to skin testing, in vitro testing, or initiation of venom immunotherapy. Female gender, diagnosis of a mast cell activation disorder or elevated baseline serum tryptase, the use of honeybee or yellow jacket venoms, and rush or ultra-rush protocols are all associated with increased risk of a systemic allergic reaction. Continued use of some cardiovascular medications, such as β-blockers and ACE inhibitors, may also increase risk or make systemic allergic reactions more difficult to treat, but this is controversial. This chapter summarizes the evidence regarding local and systemic allergic reactions associated with venom and imported fire ant whole-body extract skin testing and immunotherapy and provides recommendations to treat and possibly prevent such reactions. |
