Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Video Tracking Protocol to Screen Deterrent Chemistries for Honey Bees
Published on: June 12, 2017
Large local reactions from stinging insects: from epidemiology to management
Maurizio Severino1, Patrizia Bonadonna, Giovanni Passalacqua
1Allergy Clinic, Nuovo Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, Florence, Italy.
Purpose Of Review:
Large local reactions (LLRs) caused by insect stings have attracted the interest of clinicians for decades, especially because of their possible role as risk factor for subsequent more severe reaction. Nonetheless, the literature on epidemiological and clinical aspects of LLR is fragmentary. Therefore, we aimed at reviewing the data available so far on the argument and the clinical implications.
Recent Findings:
Our knowledge on the epidemiology and risk factors of LLR relies on studies performed many years ago. All those studies and our personal observation agree on the fact that LLRs are followed by a systemic reaction in not a negligible proportion of patients (10-15%). More recent studies have underlined the possible role of specific immunotherapy, including sublingual, in the treatment and prevention of LLRs.
Summary:
LLRs should deserve a detailed diagnostic work-up, just as for systemic reactions. The prescription of autoinjectable adrenaline would seem advisable. Specific research on the predictive role of LLR for systemic reactions is needed, as well as studies assessing the benefits of treating all patients with LLR with immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Allergic Reactions
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Allergic Drug Reactions
Hypersensitivities
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

