Allergy and asthma proceedings :
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Allergy Asthma Proc · May 2003
Case ReportsAnaphylaxis to insect sting associated with urticaria pigmentosa.
Anaphylaxis associated with insect stings has been reported to cause approximately 40 deaths per year in the United States. Immunotherapy with venom extracts is a well-established method of treatment of allergy to insect stings. The duration of therapy is based mainly on the initial symptoms and the presence or absence of systemic symptoms during therapy. ⋯ Patients with mastocytosis have a particularly increased risk for anaphylaxis after insect stings. There are many case reports of individuals first diagnosed with mastocytosis after an episode of anaphylaxis after an insect sting, in addition these patients tend to have more severe reactions as well as repeated episodes of systemic reactions during immunotherapy. Early diagnosis of mastocytosis and proper treatment can contribute greatly to the outcome in patients who present with venom allergy.