Factitious Hymenoptera allergic emergency: a report of a new variant of Munchausen's syndrome.

We report of the case of a young woman with three hospitalizations and six emergency room visits for treatment of bronchospasm and angioedema first thought to be the result of Hymenoptera venom allergic reactions. Because several features of her illness were not consistent with the usual course of Hymenoptera anaphylaxis and because of a known history of anaphylactic-type reactions following aspirin ingestion, a presumptive diagnosis of factitious anaphylaxis was considered, the medical staff was alerted to evaluate this possibility, and the diagnosis was established. Serologic testing supported the diagnosis. This variant of Munchausen's syndrome is a third type described as an allergic emergency. The others are peanut anaphylaxis and self-induced laryngeal stridor.