Summer heat brings hornets, yellow jackets and wasps
August 03, 2023
IN THE NEWS: Summertime is the season of sunshine and fun. It’s also a time to be alert for hazards like deep, rushing waters, excessive heat and painful stinging insects.
UCI Health allergy and immunology expert Dr. Ashley Sandoval spoke to Forbes about the wasp family, called vespids.
“It’s hard to tell the difference between the paper wasp, the white-faced hornet and the yellow jacket because they all look so similar. Vespid stings are more common during the warmer months of spring and summer. But you are more likely to get stung by a hornet or yellow jacket because they are more aggressive.”
Wasp stings are common and can usually be treated at home. Because they can sting repeatedly, the side effects can be dangerous, says Sandoval. Allergic reactions like swelling in the lips, tongue, throat and mouth, a rapid heart rate or a sharp drop in blood pressure should be treated with a trip to the doctor.
Sandoval is an associate professor of basic and clinical immunology at the UCI School of Medicine Department of Medicine. Her clinical interests include allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, hives, contact dermatitis, eczema, asthma, allergies to insect stings and food and drug allergies. Her research interests include contact dermatitis, chronic urticaria (hives), food allergies triggered by the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody as well as food allergies that mainly affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Sandoval offers allergy skin prick and patch testing, as well as shots to relieve allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, allergic asthma and eczema.
To make an appointment, call 949-824-8600 or 714-456-7720.
Read more
