So this is the story.
I've been beekeeping for about 18 months now, I've received the requisite few stings that everyone gets. Over the last few months my reaction to stings has been getting more and more severe, I received one sting on Saturday, on my finger, that resulted in swelling past my elbow, my worst ever reaction, though things have been heading this direction with past stings. I couldn't use my hand, wrist or elbow properly, in the end it responded to a strong anti-histamine and steroid, and painkillers so I could sleep for two nights. I still have residual aches and pains in my hand, with the last of the swelling. We are talking really huge swelling, I've never seen anything like it.
At this point I'm looking at getting rid of the hive. I love beekeeping, I love the honey, the process, most things about it, but it is simply not worth it if I'm going to be stung and react like this.
I use normal clothes for protection, with gloves. Mostly this works, but obviously I still get the occaisional sting. Are there clothes available that are completely, utterly sting proof?
Any other thoughts? Even with better protective clothing I'd still be nervous. Anyone been through anything similar?
Cheers