Am I at risk?

[springhassprun]

I had an allergic response to a wasp sting in 2020 when I was heavily pregnant - had hives followed by massive swelling of my face. Went to A&E and had a lot of steroids and was told the next phase could have been anaphylaxis but they weren’t sure this would happen. Afterwards I had a blood test and was told all was ok, they’d prescribe me some prednisone and we’d wait and see what happens next time I’m stung.

Fast forward to now, my daughter was added to the online services of the hospital who performed my blood test in 2020 and I’ve now seen these results. AIBU to think I should have had a follow up appointment with an allergist? Am I right in thinking these results look like I might be very at risk if stung again?

N.B I haven’t been stung since

Following with interest because I had a bad reaction to a bee sting many years ago - in the days before this sort of testing & I have always idly wondered whether I should be concerned

But yes I would say you should be referred

I don’t know but I’m curious about the prednisolone. I’m allergic to bee stings but never remember to get new epi pen(yes I’m shit).I however have polymyalgia rheumatica so am on daily prednisolone. Does this mean I would have some cover against a sting?

Maybe follow up with GP?

Yes you should have been referred for consideration of having EpiPens +/- venom immunotherapy. That blood test result would not have been immediately available on the day you were seen in ED so perhaps that’s why it was missed. I would discuss with your GP to be referred to your local allergy service. Hope that helps x

I think you’d potentially need a higher dose than you’d take daily - think my prescription is for 6 or 8 tablets in one hit if I got stung. Similarly to you though I think these are probably out of date now and I’m not sure where they are….

Thank you and sorry for hijacking thread. Pls do follow up with your gp (as I am going to!)

Thank you for this - I have asked my GP twice now whether I need a follow up appointment and they’ve said no, just that we should wait and see what happens next time. I live rurally with 3 small children and several fruit trees so do feel a bit nervous. Are you a GP? Thanks

I’m a medic. The advice on the blood test report is to refer to Allergy. The GP should at the very least ask for advice from Allergy. If you live rurally, are anxious about further stings and have outdoor hobbies you should ideally have 2 EpiPens that are in date.

Thank you so much for your reply. I contacted the GP today and apparently, because I was stung on my head, the swelling was localised and I don’t need any follow up appointments.

Do you think I should chase this further? I’d have thought the blood tests indicate that I am likely to have a severe allergy regardless of where I was stung.