Insect-sting or insect-bite venom can be among the most dangerous allergens for children. Most children who are stung by bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants have little to fear. The normal reaction to insect stings is for the child to experience pain, redness, swelling and itching at the site of the sting.

However, those with allergies to the venom are likely to experience more pronounced effects. A mild allergic reaction may result in nausea, hives, swelling and other discomforts. At the other extreme, a rare reaction called anaphylactic shock can impair breathing and heart functions, leading to death in some victims.

Studies show that children are more likely than adults to suffer symptoms of an allergic reaction after being stung. However, adults are more likely to have serious or life-threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock. Despite the potential danger from insect sting allergies, serious allergic reactions are rare.  There are only between 40 and 150 deaths each year from allergic reactions to insect stings in the United States, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

A child cannot suffer an allergic reaction the first time they are stung by an insect. However, it may be difficult to determine the first time a child is stung, and even more difficult to determine which type of insect was responsible for a sting. Merely because a child has been stung previously without reacting does not mean they will not have an allergic reaction to the next sting. Instead, the initial encounter may lead to sensitization, in which the immune system overreacts to the insect venom and creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight it. These antibodies trigger an allergic reaction the next time the body encounters the insect venom.

The next time a person is stung, these antibodies cause mast cells to release chemicals such as histamine, which can cause inflammation within the body. Highly allergic individuals may experience anaphylaxis, in which fluid leaks from the bloodstream into the tissues, causing swelling and lowering blood pressure. Bronchial tissues may also swell, causing breathing difficulties. This anaphylactic reaction can quickly progress to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Those who experience an anaphylactic episode have a 60 percent chance of having a repeat reaction the next time they are stung, according to the ACAAI, and reactions can be the same or worse. Children with insect allergies may be advised to get allergy shots to desensitize them to insect stings and bites. They may also be prescribed an allergy kit that contains an epinephrine injection in case of emergencies.

Insect bites rarely cause anaphylactic shock. However, some children suffer large local reactions to the bites of certain insects. As children grow older, these reactions tend to reduce in intensity. For many years, it has been thought that the majority of children outgrew allergies to insect venom. But a study at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland has cast doubt upon this theory. Allergy shots are the best prevention of further allergic reaction to insect venom in children.