Webinar: Insect allergy

In this webinar, Dr Celia Zubrinich, shares information on insect allergy.  

This webinar covered:  

• What is an insect allergy? 
• Common causes of insect allergy including bees, wasps and ants   
• How insect allergy is diagnosed 
• Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions to insect bite/sting including difference between a local reaction and systemic reaction 
• Management of insect allergy 
• Emergency treatment 
• Referral to a specialist and why 
• Venom Immunotherapy (VIT) 

Webinar recorded: Wednesday 30th October 2024

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Questions

1. Why is abdominal pain and vomiting a sign of anaphylaxis from an insect allergy and not a sign of anaphylaxis to a food allergy? (Watch at 17:30) 
2. If someone has been diagnosed with an insect allergy as a child, should they be reviewed to determine if they are still allergic as an adult? Is it possible to grow out of an insect allergy? If so, how would you be able to confirm this?  (Watch at 28:06) 
3. Should people with food allergy worry that they will also have an insect sting allergy. (Watch at 31:25) 
4. Are blood tests the first tests now? (Watch at 32:09) 
5. How delayed can an allergic reaction be to an insect sting or bite? Can it be longer than the 60 minutes? (Watch at 33:58) 
6. What recommendations do you have for protective clothing to wear if you are allergic to insects? (Watch at 35:40) 
7. What is the eligibility criteria for Venom Immunotherapy? (Watch at 39:11) 
8. Can you explain more about mammalian meat allergy in relation to ticks? How long after do they develop the allergy? Is it everybody? (Watch at 40:32) 
9. Should someone with an insect allergy wear medical identification jewellery? (Watch at 43:34) 
10. Should you let your workplace know that you have an insect allergy? (Watch at 45:09) 
11. Are insect allergy reactions likely to become worse with each exposure or is it unpredictable? (Watch at 46:13) 

Presenter

Dr Celia Zubrinich

Dr Celia Zubrinich (MBBS MPhil FRACP) is an Allergist at Alfred Health Melbourne, where she is the clinical lead of the venom allergy program. She is chair of the ASCIA venom immunotherapy, allergen immunotherapy and skin prick testing Working Party, a member of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) Insect Allergy Stream, and Chair of the Alfred Health Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) Committee. Dr Zubrinich also undertakes private practice at MAAIC (Melbourne Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Consultants) in North Melbourne.