A typical reaction following an insect sting involves local redness, swelling, and itching. Some people experience more serious symptoms following a sting, including diffuse hives, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. This is called anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening due to an overreaction of the immune system. If you have experienced these symptoms, our allergists can perform skin testing for venoms, including bee, wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket. If positive, we will discuss venom immunotherapy, where we can build up your immune system against venom to prevent serious reactions in the future. It is recommended to carry two injectable epinephrine devices at all times in case of a sting leading to a severe reaction.