someone asked what reactions were to stings... so here is what happened to me (NOTE: i had been stung many times in the past with no reaction more severe than some local swelling and itching. and then...)
i was stung by about 6 bees in a matter of a couple minutes (goofed opening the hive, another topic!). my son and i retreated to the local diner to have lunch and regroup. during lunch - about 15 minutes later - i felt flush and my ENTIRE body itched. even the bottoms of my feet seemed to itch. in another 10 minutes, i could feel some swelling in my face (i had been stung in the arms and legs) and the feeling of prickly heat began to replace the flushed feeling. my son remarked "you are not looking so good dad" - and about that time i noticed my entire back was covered in hives. (this is the first and only time i have had hives in my life). we paid the bill and drove home - another 5 minutes. by the time we got there my face was very swollen - my lips were hard to recognize! i still had no trouble breathing, but was getting seriously worried. so off the to the ER we went. they knew i was on the way (sis is a nurse there) and they had the Benedryl and epi ready. once the drugs started flowing in through the IV, i could feel things reversing course. in 45 minutes to an hour, i was ready to go.
so... i did not pass out, fall over, stop breathing, or anything that extreme, but it was spooky enough. now the epi pen and Benedryl tabs are in the truck, i wear a full suit for the first time, and i keep working the bees.
charles