Insect Sting Allergy (Keetavisha)

आग्नेयैरल्पसंस्रावोदाहरागविसर्पवान् l
पक्वपीलुफलप्रख्य: खर्जूरसदृशोअथवाll

Insect Sting Allergy

Insect sting allergy also known as Venom Allergy is the allergic reaction initiated by the bite or tingle of some insects. During sting the venom of insect will be injected into the body and causes hypersensitivity reactions. All the insects do not cause allergic reaction and the severity of reactions varies in different people. Most of the stings are non-allergic and end up in mild symptoms like itching, mild pain, swelling etc. In Ayurveda, Acharyas (teachers) mention about Keetavisha (poisoning by insects) in which symptoms and treatment of various insect bites are explained. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is successfully managing various symptoms associated with “Insect sting allergies” through completely natural Ayurveda antidote measures.

Causes of Insect Sting Allergy

When a person is exposed to an insect sting, antibodies will be produced to fight against the insect venom. These antibodies remain in body and on later exposure to the same allergen they stimulate production of histamine and other chemicals to cause allergic reaction.

Following are the three major families of insects that cause allergy on bite.

Vespidae: Include insects like yellow jackets, hornets, wasps
Apidae: Include bees like honey bees, bumblebees, sweat bees
Formicidae: Fire ants (commonly cause anaphylaxis), harvester ants

Mosquitoes, bed bugs etc. also cause mild allergy on bite.

In Ayurveda, there is explanation about various insects that bite humans and result in allergic response. They are mentioned under group Keeta and include various insects like Makshika, Kanabha, Vrischika etc. They are generally grouped according to their dosha predominance into Vatika, Paithika, Kaphaja and Sanniptahika Keeta. There is separate mention about the signs, symptoms and treatment of each of these insects’ bite.

Ayurvedic Reference of Insect Sting Allergy - Keetavisha

Symptoms of Insect Sting Allergy

The manifestation of insect sting allergy varies from person to person. Local symptoms at bite site include:

Swelling
Redness
Pain

If there is unusual pain and other severe allergic reactions, medical emergency may be required. Sometimes symptoms may become so severe that it may cause Anaphylaxis. Signs of anaphylaxis include:

Inflammation of tongue
Dizziness
Fainting
Difficulty in swallowing
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach cramps
Sudden drop of blood pressure

These symptoms usually appear within minutes of insect bite.

Ayurveda explains the symptoms of paithikakeeta as redness, burning sensation and blackish red discoloration at the site of bite.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be done by taking detailed medical history including type of exposure, previous exposure etc. Tests like skin-prick test, intradermal skin test or blood test can be performed.

“Ayurveda is the ancient knowledge about the purposes of life. Along with teaching about the purposes of life Ayurveda teaches us, the method of naturalhealing. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is one among the leaders of spreading Ayurveda around the globe. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the best Ayurvedic destination for healing insect bite allergies through Ayurveda antidote measures”.

Visit us today and feel the natural healing!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Insect Sting Allergy

Do’s (Pathya)

Popped rice
Bitter vegetables
Green gram
Include more fruits and vegetables
Water boiled with Khadirasara (Acacia catechu)
Sufficient quantity water intake

Don’ts (Apathya)

Spicy and sour food
Non vegetarian diet
Day sleep
Curd
Excess exposure to heat and sunlight
Heavy and fatty meal

Yoga and Pranayama in Insect Sting Allergy

Yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercise) help in strengthening over all body immunity. It is beneficial to maintain and increase balance and health of body as well as mind. Regular practice yoga and pranayama will help to get rid of many of the ill effects.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Insect Sting Allergy

Ayurveda advises treatment of insect bite through internal medicine, external application and various procedures. It is focused on pain relieving, neutralizing poison and preventing complications.

Internal medicines

Neelitulasyadi Kashaya
Vilwadi gulika
Dasanga Gulika
Lodhrasevyadi Kashaya

Dushivisari Gulika
Avipathi Churna

External Medicines

Triphala churna
Nimbadi churna
Vilwadi gulika
Aragwadhadi kwatha

Guluchyadi kwatha

Treatment Procedures

Kashayadhara (Pouring medicated liquid on affected area)
Virechana (Purgation)

Raktamoksha (Bloodletting)

The following herbs are used in Ayurveda against insect bites

Lakshmana (Biophytum sensitivium)
Haridra (Curcuma longa)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Padmakam (Nelumbo nucifera)

Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)
Sirisha (Albezia lebbeck)
Lakshmana or Vipareeta lajjalu (Biophytum sensitivium)

References

Shloka No. 2, Keetaluthadivisha Prathishedha, Ashtangahrudayam by Acharya Vagbhata, Uttarasthanam.
Ambikadutt Shastri, Sushruta Samhita, 12th ed. Chaukhambha Publication, New Delhi, 2001. p. 64.
Ashtang Hridya, Atrideva Gupt, Reprint. Chaukhambha Prakashan, 2009.
Charak. Charak Samhita by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Reprint. Chaukhambha Prakashan. 2009.
Ayurveda Dipika. Commentary on Charak Samhita. Chikitsasthana. 23/152, 5th ed. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd; 1992. p. 503.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Insect Sting Allergy Chapter No. 04, Page No. 28-33.

Ayurveda is the ancient knowledge about the purposes of life. Along with teaching about the purposes of life Ayurveda teaches us, the method of naturalhealing. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is one among the leaders of spreading Ayurveda around the globe. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is the best Ayurvedic destination for healing insect bite allergies as well any kind of allergic disorders.

Visit us today and feel the natural healing!!!

Dr. Gupta’s Ayurveda – the best Ayurvedic destination for allergic disorders.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which are the common insects that cause allergy on bite?

Answer: Common insects causing allergy are Yellow Jackets, Honey bees, Fire ants etc.

Question: What are thedangerous symptoms of insect bite?

Answer: Symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting, decreased blood pressure etc. are dangerous and should be managed under emergency care.

Question: What is Ayurvedic management in Insect Sting Allergy?

Answer: Allergic reactions caused by insect sting can be treated effectively by Ayurvedic medicines. It includes internal as well as external medicines with purification therapies.

Question: What are the symptoms of Insect Sting Allergy?

Answer: The symptoms usually appear within minutes of insect bite. Ayurveda explains the symptoms of paithikakeeta as redness, burning sensation and blackish red discoloration at the site of bite.

Question: How Insect Sting Allergy is treated?

Answer: The main aim of Ayurvedic treatment of insect sting allergy is to give relief in the pain, treatment of poison, avoiding further complications and treatment of various symptoms associated with it.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment of Insect Sting Allergy?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment of insect sting allergy includes internal medication, external application and various other procedures that are generally safe and effective.

Question: What are the Ayurvedic herbs that are useful in insect sting allergy?

Answer: Various herbs like Haridra (Curcuma longa), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Padmakam (Nelumbo nucifera), Sirisha (Albezia lebbeck), Lakshmana (Biophytum sensitivium), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) etc. are beneficial.

Question: What is the recommended diet and lifestyle in Insect Sting Allergy?

Answer: Food products such as – popped rice, bitter vegetables, green gram, fresh fruits and vegetables and sufficient quantity of water intake are recommended. Non-vegetarian food, spicy and sour food, curd, day sleep, excessive exposure to heat and sunlight, intake of heavy and fatty meal must be avoided.