Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: brit.thebee on May 07, 2007, 06:13:28 pm
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Hi everybody!
I've been having so much fun with all my bees and reading the forum often, which is so very helpful. I've captured 3 wild swarms and two of them have stayed.
However, it seems that I have a higher than normal sensitivity to the bee stings. Didn't know this. I'm not too worried about it. I am a little disappointed that I can't be superhero beekeeper and that I have to wear all my stuff all the time, but I suppose I have no choice.
So here's what happens...major local swelling that lasts over 48 hours, intense burning and itching, creepy-crawly feelings on my arms, swollen tongue, vomiting, and nausea. But that all happened a few hours after the stings occurred, each about two weeks apart: one on the back of my leg and one on my hand.
Since I didn't die, do I really have that much to worry about? Will I start to develop an immunity or are there too many symptoms? I'm sure I sound like a dope, but I want to be careful without overreacting.
By day two my hand looked like a blown up latex glove.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q189/britlg/swoll.jpg)
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It is better to be safe than sorry. I would at least see a doctor. When I first started I would swell but that was the extent of it. The other syptoms sound like they warrant a doctor visit.
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yes, you have something to worry about. from now on, until you see your doc (do that ASAP), pop 50 mg of benadryl when you are stung. if symptoms continue after doing that take more. since your symptoms come up over a period of time, you'll probably need to take more than one dose per sting.
you might want to buy some liquid benadryl. as i recall, it's 25mg per ml. you'll need a good swig of it and then a nap :-)
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The swelling is no big deal the other symtoms listed are. The nausea, vomiting, etc are major concerns. It is possible that you will become more tollerant of the stings the more you get stung, but the opposite could happen.
When I went to pick up my packages of bees I meant a beekeeper who was allergic to bees, yet he still keep the little critters. He just made sure he was wrapped up like a Christmas present everytime he went into his bees.
At the moment I would clasify you as hightly sensitive. Do as Kathyp states, see a doctor and use benadryl when stung.
Go luck and may you be undaunted in beekeeping.
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Allergic reactions do sometimes increase the next time you are stung. Definately see or talk to a doctor. Might want to keep an epi pen on hand.
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Yes, I would also, as the other folks here have advised, see your doctor. I have never used benadryl but a lot of people attest to it's use. Also inquire from your doctor if maybe you should carry an Epi-Pen in case your reactions get stronger and breathing could become difficult with the swollen tongue etc.
Jack
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Go see a doctor, however when you do tell him you intend to continue to work on bees. He can then work on a remedy to help you and your reactions. The doctor will first and foremost tell you to stay away from bees. Makes his job easy. Not all doctors will work on you with an immunity regiment. So you may have to shop a little but it is possible. Also see an allergist and a nutritionist. Because you reaction may be a combination of bee venom and something else.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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yup I would see a doctor, because it sounds like you very allergic, wear all you protecting cloths from now on, when I get stung it is a little swelling and that's it... the doctor will give you epinephrine shots to give to your self and that will stop all the allergic symptoms.... well on most it does!!!
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Well dang. I was kinda holding on to the hope that you would all respond with a "don't be silly" or "you paranoid freak" or "you big crybaby". But I guess I knew it was true. Thanks for the sound advice.
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As one who has been through a year long series of shots to be desensitized for bee stings I agree with the others. Your reaction to the sting or stings warrants seeking medical attention. Your next sting may cause less of a reaction or it cause a much more serious one. In rare cases bee stings can be fatal for someone who is sensitive to the venom.
The only thing I would suggest differently is by pass the MD as most of them know very little about treatment for stinging insect sensitivity. Call your local allergist and explain your situation and see if he will help you become desensitized. You may need to call more than one if they are like the ones in my area. Several of them here didn't even want to skin test me because they didn't want to deal with anaphylactic shook should it occur during treatment. Good luck in getting over your sensativity.....
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one note. your allergist should be an MD. bypass your GPor get a referral from him/her to the allergist.
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Definitely an Epi-Pen. You had a local and systemic reaction...the Benadryl is an excellent suggestion, and your MD may prescribe cortisone orally for you if you get stung again.
You love your little bees, so go to the allergy specialist MD...wear your gear...be safe!
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Sometimes the next sting is much better and sometimes it's worse. Usually they get worse for a while and then get better if you live through it. :)
I'd go to a specialist that does bee desensitization. Any other doctor will just tell you to quit beekeeping.
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I do love my little bees.
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I do love my little bees.
As much as it goes against my male instincts to say this .. just cover up real good .. :'(
..until you know what your dealing with.
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Hi everybody!
I've been having so much fun with all my bees and reading the forum often, which is so very helpful. I've captured 3 wild swarms and two of them have stayed.
However, it seems that I have a higher than normal sensitivity to the bee stings. Didn't know this. I'm not too worried about it. I am a little disappointed that I can't be superhero beekeeper and that I have to wear all my stuff all the time, but I suppose I have no choice.
So here's what happens...major local swelling that lasts over 48 hours, intense burning and itching, creepy-crawly feelings on my arms, swollen tongue, vomiting, and nausea. But that all happened a few hours after the stings occurred, each about two weeks apart: one on the back of my leg and one on my hand.
Since I didn't die, do I really have that much to worry about? Will I start to develop an immunity or are there too many symptoms? I'm sure I sound like a dope, but I want to be careful without overreacting.
By day two my hand looked like a blown up latex glove.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q189/britlg/swoll.jpg)
That swelling your seeing can happen in your throat and restrict your breathing.
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The swelling at the sight of the sting is not unusual. The burning and itching at the sight of the sting isn't that unusual. The swollen toungue, vomiting and nausea are unusual. Unless you are also pregnant. Now if this was one or two stings this would be an extreme reaction. If you have gotten stung around 100 times this might be normal reaction.
Now if you have been getting stung a few times everyday, eventually you will reach what apitherapist call a threshold point and start experencing flu like symptoms for about 48 hours. This will pass but it is also a sign for some that they have built up a certain tolerance. People with allergies do not tend to build up a tolerance. Because the allergic reaction is caused by the body's reaction to the item it see as invasive. Instead they tend to become more sensitive to it (as I understand it). That is why you need to work with a allergist(MD)on a treatment regiment to retrain your immune system.
Now I have been stung in the throat. It didn't close my airway but it did put me down on the couch for almost an hour. Most stings don't bother me beyond some swelling and itching. Unless they get me someplace sensitive like my underarm or neck.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Well dang. I was kinda holding on to the hope that you would all respond with a "don't be silly" or "you paranoid freak" or "you big crybaby". But I guess I knew it was true. Thanks for the sound advice.
OH Alright. Don't be silly you big crybaby paranoid freak. Go see the Doctor.
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I'm not overly sensitive, but my Brother is, so I guess its possible its in my family.
Do you need a prescription for an epi pen? It might not be a bad idea to keep one around just in case.
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OH Alright. Don't be silly you big crybaby paranoid freak. Go see the Doctor.
Thanks for that!
You do need a prescription for an epi pen. And yes I'm allergic. But not the immediate oh no she's gonna die extremely allergic. So the delayed reaction, according to the dr, means I don't really need the shot on hand. If I get stung more than 4 or 5 times it could be pretty threatening. I did get another prescription that falls somewhere between benadryl and the epi pen to take if I get a sting.
But the best thing is to stay covered anytime I'm working with my girls. So no more naked outdoor time for me.
Thanks for your responses.
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after reading your posts i was feeling good that i had not been stung in a long time. i just checked the hives and picked up a hitchhiker on the bare back of my leg. as i went through the fence the sucker nailed me good! i swell up big. between the black berries i have been clearing and this sting, i am wasting a lot of time and money on fake baking. i'll never be able to wear shorts in public :-)
pride meter is back to 0.....
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It gives them character.
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You do need a prescription for an epi pen.
yes you have to have a prescription for epi-pin
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I guess getting stung is part of the fun I got it on the lip yesterday .Looked like I had a chew in half of the can and I dont even chew.
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It gives them character.
like wrinkles and varicose veins? nice try...no sale....it's getting ugly :-D
ya, it's part of the fun. it gives me a chance to give my old military vocabulary a good workout.
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So no more naked outdoor time for me.
Thanks for your responses.
This is TwT's Beesuit. I recommend you use something else.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/barrydigman/beesuit3.jpg)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Cardboard... It's all the rage these days.
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Let me tell you about some STINGS. Early this spring, I decided to open my hive. For some unknown reason I decided to wear a pair of lite weight brown cotton gloves. As soon as I pulled the first frame out, those girls covered both hands and ate me up. I could not get away and get those gloves off fast enough! I suffered over 12 bites per hand. They were swolen and sore for several days. My girls DO NOT like brown cotton gloves. I won't even wear then for yard work! Steve
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I'm glad nobody photoshopped my face into that cardboard outfit.
Here's the latest greatest: now I am getting a scrip for an epi pen that I'll have to take with me everywhere in case I get stung because chances are the more I get stung the worse the symptoms will be. I think it's ridiculous, but I guess better safe than sorry blah blah blah. OK I know it's not ridiculous, I'm just super bummed and ticked that I have to be allergic.
Can't afford an allergist or a nutritionist right now, but when either the beekeeping business or the music business picks up and takes off, it's all what's up doc for me. Ha!
So for now it's just the new and improved "Cautious Brit"
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So no more naked outdoor time for me.
Thanks for your responses.
This is TwT's Beesuit. I recommend you use something else.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/barrydigman/beesuit3.jpg)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
I think I might shorten it, I need to show more leg ;) :)
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So no more naked outdoor time for me.
Thanks for your responses.
This is TwT's Beesuit. I recommend you use something else.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/barrydigman/beesuit3.jpg)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
That is freakin hilarious!!! Where the heck did you find that! lol
Sean
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Can't afford an allergist or a nutritionist right now, but when either the beekeeping business or the music business picks up and takes off, it's all what's up doc for me. Ha!
Emergency rooms cost a lot more.
Tell you sister she better start writing some top 40 hits.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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If you give up going naked outdoors your'e gonna disappoint the neighbors.
Dave
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Brit.TheBee,
I just have to say that you are one brave lady. With spunk. Not many would continue after your experience. I wish you the best and most enjoyable beekeeping, and pray that you always own gentle bees.
Mike
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Thanks! The last swarm I caught --the ones that got me-- seem to be pretty aggressive, and I'm finally getting that Africanized bees are not an urban legend. So I'm collecting any dead ones I see around the hive to mail to TAMU. Apparently they do free testing.
I don't really want to get rid of them because they are really hard-working. It might be that I just need to get a new queen for them.
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If you do have a hot hive or an AHB hive. You should requeen it. After a couple of weeks things will calm down.
The trick is finding the queen.
Recommended reading material:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrequeeninghot.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrequeeninghot.htm)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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So here's what happens...major local swelling that lasts over 48 hours, intense burning and itching, creepy-crawly feelings on my arms, swollen tongue, vomiting, and nausea. But that all happened a few hours after the stings occurred, each about two weeks apart: one on the back of my leg and one on my hand.
Burning,itching and swelling at the sting site is normal.
If all that happens from a sting to the hand or leg, I would be worried.
Head stings are the worst you can get. I have the same problem as you, but no tongue swelling or vomiting or nausea. I get an itching rash all over my legs and arms. Did not have a problem the first 2 years. Avoid getting stung at all costs.
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So here's what happens...major local swelling that lasts over 48 hours, intense burning and itching, creepy-crawly feelings on my arms, swollen tongue, vomiting, and nausea. But that all happened a few hours after the stings occurred, each about two weeks apart: one on the back of my leg and one on my hand.
Burning,itching and swelling at the sting site is normal.
If all that happens from a sting to the hand or leg, I would be worried.
Head stings are the worst you can get. I have the same problem as you, but no tongue swelling or vomiting or nausea. I get an itching rash all over my legs and arms. Did not have a problem the first 2 years. Avoid getting stung at all costs.
On the day in installed my packages, I was stung 15 times. Back, Neck, legs and stomach. (they got inside the back of my jacket/veil. There was a bit of it in the back not pulled down far enough. I also neglected to put rubber bands around the pant cuffs)
I had so much bee venom in me, I couldn't sleep that night until three am... lol
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If you do have a hot hive or an AHB hive. You should requeen it. After a couple of weeks things will calm down.
The trick is finding the queen.
Getting a little frustrated with myself and starting feel like a ding dong (self-censored, thank you very much) because I can't find my queen.
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That might be why they are hot. Look for eggs, that will tell you a little more.
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If you do have a hot hive or an AHB hive. You should requeen it. After a couple of weeks things will calm down.
The trick is finding the queen.
Getting a little frustrated with myself and starting feel like a ding dong (self-censored, thank you very much) because I can't find my queen.
Don't get frustrated. I have hives I can't find the queen in either.
However Michael has solution for you. part 2 of your reading assignment.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenspotting.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenspotting.htm)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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That might be why they are hot. Look for eggs, that will tell you a little more.
No I mean I can't find ANY of my queens. But I'm gonna do some more homework.
Thanks for the assignments.
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hey brit, I went to your web site, nice site but what the hell is a BOOM BOOM BA????? ;)
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hey brit, I went to your web site, nice site but what the hell is a BOOM BOOM BA????? ;)
Now your just showing your age.. Obviously it is a.. errr.. you know.. that thing you do.. with a flower and a .. yer like it makes a wonderful love, dude, in your dreams and all that.. you can get them at that special shop.. you know, nudge nudge, know what I mean? :)
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As if my site didn't do it this is just gonna show what a HUGE dork I am. It's the music from the radio show Coast to Coast AM. You know...Goerge Nory, Art Bell. My sister and I do most of our driving at night just so we can listen to that radio show. It's also that flower thing.