I got hit today for the 5th time since I started beekeeping spring 2019.
Last week I received my 4th. I pulled my hive tool off my pocket magnet, and there was a bee perched on it. That one was on the palm side of my forefinger. It hurt for a minute, then itched a little that day with a tiny bump.
But today?! I got stung on the top of that same hand, near my pinkie knuckle. That whole side of my hand is swollen, itchy, and is tender sore.
I have never had a reaction like this before. I was beginning to think I was super bee impervious. Not anynore.
What's the deal?
Mr. Bob, sometimes I react, sometimes I do not. There are reactive parts of the body: hands feet and the face that tend to be more reactive than other parts of the body.
I?ve been stung since a kid by most flying or crawling critters and never amounted to much except for a jelly fish. Why today do I react and not next week has puzzled my doctors. My physician prescribed prednisone in case I do react. I don?t worry about bee stings, the pain is not so bad when I react.
What to watch out for is restricted breathing, then it?s time for the ER visit. Talk to your doctor and I hope your reaction to bee stings vanished.
In 2017, I got stung 6 times by the same hive same time. Five stings were no issue, one sting in the ankle when full ballistic: tremendous pain in the ankle, swollen on both sides, I was unable to walk for about 12 hrs. Why that single sting was so horrific? The only explanation I can come up with is the stinger hit the bone. Also, I was not able to remove the stinger for 45 minutes. The bee stung me thur the sock. Most painful sting I ever experienced except for the jelly fish. In time, all was well and years later, like I said, I might or might not react.
Hey Bob, I tend to think there are different dosages, different relative strengths of poison, and like Van said, different body parts. I few weeks ago me and my brother tried to hive a swarm from his gutter. There were not having it and I probably racked up over 2 dozen stings in an hour before walking away. Still, each one was a small bump, and some didn't make good contact.
Last Sunday I was watching some outdoor feeding and I got hit through thick jogging pants on the inside of the leg. I knew it felt different, the pain really persisted for a few minutes. Later it looked like I had been hit by a paint ball.
I don't know if you really build up a tolerance, but eventually most of the nervousness of "am I going to get stung" goes away and you just kinda rake out the stingers with a fingernail and move on. Some people hit the area with smoke, I usually grab some saliva and rub on it. It seems to help diffuse the scent. If not, they can hit the same spot with amazing accuracy.
Hope your hand is better by morning.
You would do well to check out this topic from 2017 titled: (Experience bee keeper reacts to bee sting). Started by Mr Van along with comments from several others including > little john, sawdstmakr, JackM, bwallace23350, Bush_84, Sledin, eltalia, Hops Brewster, tjc1, Acebird, UrbisAgricola, kathyp, and Dallasbeek. < I hope I did not miss anyone.
An exceptional group of beekeepers in my opinion. Special thanks to "van from Arkansas" for creating the topic.
I find there is a big difference in the intensity of the sting between a self defense sting and an intending to do harm sting.
If I accidentally pinch a bee and she cannot move and stings me. My bad and it hurts a bit with minimal reaction.
If I really do my thing and tick off a hive, they are out to get me. Stapling my socks on and laying sewing seams along my fingers. Those hurt more and may swell a bit.
I can say, at least for me. The more often you get stung the less you react. Am at the point that a sting is not much more than a mosquito bite with zero swelling and a little pimple the next day at the sting site .. if anything at all.
I get stung typically at least 10 times a day on busy days. Casual days I may not get stung at all.
Quote from: TheHoneyPump on June 06, 2020, 03:05:37 AM
I find there is a big difference in the intensity of the sting between a self defense sting and an intending to do harm sting.
If I accidentally pinch a bee and she cannot move and stings me. My bad and it hurts a bit with minimal reaction.
If I really do my thing and tick off a hive, they are out to get me. Stapling my socks on and laying sewing seams along my fingers. Those hurt more and may swell a bit.
I can say, at least for me. The more often you get stung the less you react. Am at the point that a sting is not much more than a mosquito bite with zero swelling and a little pimple the next day at the sting site .. if anything at all.
I get stung typically at least 10 times a day on busy days. Casual days I may not get stung at all.
You may be right. Thinking about it, I can concur with your thoughts on this. Also stings are no stranger to me either lol.
Thanks for the input, all. This morning the hand is still swollen tight, hot, and itchy. I will hope that later stings will be go back to being nothing again. I enjoy working the hives barehanded too much to go back to using gloves.
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A reactive bee sting a few years back,
I got zapped this week in the heel of my hand. It hurt, my whole hand and lower forearm was swollen.
I got stung three times during package install due to just accidentally pinching some bees. No reaction at all from those other than a small bump.
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Years ago an apiary inspector cautioned that itching and breaking out in hives is a sign you could be headed for trouble, especially when the palms of your hands and bottoms of your feet itch.
Quote from: Bob Wilson on June 06, 2020, 08:10:16 AM
Thanks for the input, all. This morning the hand is still swollen tight, hot, and itchy. I will hope that later stings will be go back to being nothing again. I enjoy working the hives barehanded too much to go back to using gloves.
Your reactions sounds exactly the same as mine. I got one in the arm this past Wednesday doing a swarm cutout. This is how my body typically reacts. Decent swelling and itchy redness. From my perspective, this is a perfectly normal reaction by many.
A doctor I spoke with casually a while back said in his opinion, the only "allergic" reactions are those that require medical attention. To him all other stings are normal reactions that vary from person to person. He said many people think they're allergic because of the swelling and redness and tenderness from a sting they received previously...but that's just not true; That was just a natural reaction of the body to him.
My 11 year old daughter received her first sting Wednesday. She's helped me with several inspections and not had a hit until now...It was to the side of her foot on Wednesday night from a lost girl that was on my equipment and found her way to the ground. In the days since, while my arm has been red, swollen, itchy and tender, her's looks nothing more than a mosquito bite and she says it's a little itchy, but doesn't hurt. Ah, I have found my apprentice... ;)
Quote from: JurassicApiary on June 06, 2020, 12:55:53 PM
Your reactions sounds exactly the same as mine. I got one in the arm this past Wednesday doing a swarm cutout. This is how my body typically reacts. Decent swelling and itchy redness. From my perspective, this is a perfectly normal reaction by many.
A doctor I spoke with casually a while back said in his opinion, the only "allergic" reactions are those that require medical attention. To him all other stings are normal reactions that vary from person to person. He said many people think they're allergic because of the swelling and redness and tenderness from a sting they received previously...but that's just not true; That was just a natural reaction of the body to him.
My 11 year old daughter received her first sting Wednesday. She's helped me with several inspections and not had a hit until now...It was to the side of her foot on Wednesday night from a lost girl that was on my equipment and found her way to the ground. In the days since, while my arm has been red, swollen, itchy and tender, her's looks nothing more than a mosquito bite and she says it's a little itchy, but doesn't hurt. Ah, I have found my apprentice... ;)
I have the same situation in my family. I,
the beekeeper, get horrible swelling every time I get stung. Everyone else, barely any swelling, a little itchy. *shakes head and sighs* Typical. :cheesy:
Bob - the more I get stung, the less reaction I have to stings. I try to get stung at least a couple times a month. Usually I can't find the sting site within 2 hrs now.
I've heard that - if you get stung only twice a year (or so), your reactions will get worse over time, to the point of being dangerous. (Allergy increase).
5 stings in a year, your body hasn't had enough to desensitise.
Everyone is right, stings of varying intensity, different reactions. The back of the hand seems to want to swell easy.
5 stings in a day is a good day at the office. if you open 100 hives for the day you have got to upset some one. Stings are mainly on the fingers, I don't wear gloves, though the other day one stung me on the neck, got under my vail, really hurt and I got a small swelling that I could find the little lump 3 days later.
Stings under or beside the finger nail tend to hurt a bit.
Bob,
Five stings in a year, you?re killing me. 😄
Bee sure to pu Hydrocortisone and Benadryl cream on the sting. It helps your body to not react to stings. The thread that Ben mentioned talks about this.
Jim Altmiller
I got stung two days ago on the inside of the left arm pulling weeds near the hive. I wasn't sure I got stung (no pain). But I found the stinger and removed it. In five to ten minutes I felt some pain and it began to swell. In an hour it just itched and by night fall it was gone. I use to weed in front of the hives up north and never had an issue. So yesterday I took a peek in the hive to see if something looked wrong. They were as calm as a cucumber. However one single bee was hell bent to get me. You know when it is happening. I could not see the bee but I could certainly hear it. Usually I go in a dark garage and they fly towards the light of an open door. I could not get the bee off me mainly because I could not see it. but eventually it took off. I am telling you all this because this is unusual for me. It is my experience that if a bee is out to get you it has to die because it won't give up until it stings.
Reactions to bee stings vary from next to nothing to anaphylactic shock. Typically the reaction diminishes the more you get stung but there is always a chance that a reaction becomes severe on the next sting. It is your immune system that causes the reaction. Your chemistry is always changing.
A tip to be rid of that odd insanely mad bee. Walk away from the hive area, 10-15 yards. Do not swat. Start to clap you hands with fingers wide and flat about 8 inch in front of your face. 1 seconds or so between claps. That bee will soon be flying in and around your clapping hands. Keep clapping, and now that you can see her it will not take long for you to mash her with a clap. The clapping is too quick for her to take hold of, your hands will not be stung.
Quote from: TheHoneyPump on June 07, 2020, 12:35:48 PM
A tip to be rid of that odd insanely mad bee. Walk away from the hive area, 10-15 yards. Do not swat. Start to clap you hands with fingers wide and flat about 8 inch in front of your face. 1 seconds or so between claps. That bee will soon be flying in and around your clapping hands. Keep clapping, and now that you can see her it will not take long for you to mash her with a clap. The clapping is too quick for her to take hold of, your hands will not be stung.
It seems that early spring is when I noticed this one pesky bee y'all are talking about. It seems once the flow is on that disappears, or it has for me, in all three of my small apiaries. I appreciate the tip Mr HP, another good one.
Indeed, there?s always that one bee that takes it personal and is on a vendetta for something I must have done during the last inspection! ;)
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I tell my granddaughters it is because they are thinking evil thoughts.
HoneyPump. I am amused by your "Clap on! Clap off!" pesky bee procedure. I actually WILL try it next time one starts hounding me.
Jim. I laughed at your amazement about my 5 little stings. I am sure that you experienced beeks are rolling your eyes at me. Of course maybe it is just a testament to my super beekeeping skills.... or not. :smile:
Two days later, the swelling is almost completely gone. However, bee venom doesn't seem to effect my arthritus at all.
So what is the verdict? Is it better to be stung sometimes to build up resistance or not? I am adding a poll for my own curiosity.
Bob,
When I don?t get stung for long periods, usually during the winter, I often get a reaction. As long as I get stung regularly, I don?t have any reaction.
If your spouse does your laundry and your gloves or suit has bee sting on it, they can develop severe reactions later on. They breathe in the bee venom dust.
If they get stung directly on a regular basis, this will stop them from developing a severe reaction.
Jim Altmiller
Bob, I agree with the no effect on arthritis, number of stings I get I should be arthritis free.
May be I have low dose bees.
Get stung lots. Daily. It is the only rightful manly man beekeeper thing to do.
In the ear ear canal, the middle of a closed eye lid, or the membrane layer over the cartilage one half knuckle deep into the nose are my personal favourite places to man-up from time to time.
Quote from: TheHoneyPump on June 08, 2020, 08:16:13 PM
Get stung lots. Daily. It is the only rightful manly man beekeeper thing to do.
In the ear ear canal, the middle of a closed eye lid, or the inner membrane layer over the cartilage on the tip of the nose are my personal favourite places to man-up.
I haven't had the experience of the ear canal yet. I don't look forward either lol. My only real concern is the eyeball itself as you told us of that situation a while back. Woo Wee
Quote from: TheHoneyPump on June 08, 2020, 08:16:13 PM
Get stung lots. Daily. It is the only rightful manly man beekeeper thing to do.
In the ear ear canal, the middle of a closed eye lid, or the membrane layer over the cartilage one half knuckle deep into the nose are my personal favourite places to man-up from time to time.
YIKES! If that's the price of entry, I'm not sure I want to be a man that bad! :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:
(Your a better man than me HP). :cool:
I really like this simple head veil. It has elastic bands that go under your arms to keep it more firmly pressed to the body and help prevent intrusion. I don?t mind stings to my arms and most of my body, but I prefer not on my head or neck!
As the rest of me is uninhibited with a jacket or anything I have full mobility and stay much cooler. I use this regularly for my inspections.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200609/7b0af7979e0cee6b8d26b3af3c621b1e.jpg)
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Quote from: JurassicApiary on June 08, 2020, 09:03:26 PM
I really like this simple head veil. It has elastic bands that go under your arms to keep it more firmly pressed to the body and help prevent intrusion. I don?t mind stings to my arms and most of my body, but I prefer not on my head or neck!
As the rest of me is uninhibited with a jacket or anything I have full mobility and stay much cooler. I use this regularly for my inspections.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200609/7b0af7979e0cee6b8d26b3af3c621b1e.jpg)
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I have a veil similar to that Jurassic. I paid $45.00 for it, thinking I would be getting a better quality veil, wrong. There is a design flaw in that the back of the neck is to short. Even when strapped down and looking down it exposes the bottom of the neck. If not for that flaw, I would have loved it. Yours looks more like Kamon Reynolds than mine. Mine has the divider or jointer of the screen in only one place, the back of the veil which I like.
Some facts about bee stings. Our bodies possess a special white blood cell called a memory cell or M cell. As you probably already figured from the name, this M cell has a single function: to memorize and create an anecdote to a single issue such as the toxin of a honeybee. The M cell also remembers different types of flu and bacteria also, but lets stick to bees. A given M cell only recognizes its specific target such a bee venom. These M cells live for about 10 years and circulate throughout the blood system: looking, waiting for venom to show up in which the M cell quickly administers the antibody that neutralize the venom.
Each time a person gets stung, more M cells are created. Eventually, with beeks that get stung enough as ID or Jim, myself, to name a few, a bee sting is if little concern as there may be thousands of M cells through the body that will quickly neutralize the venom.
So what can go wrong, sounds like the more stings, the better. Well, here is where it gets tricky. Bee venom causes the production of histamines at the sting site. Histamines cause redness and swelling, any allergy sufferer can explain in detail. However the histamines attract white blood cells, a chemical iPhone call of 911, calling all white blood cells. Quickly white blood cells are attracted to the venom area, both M cells and other white blood cells that are just plain destroyers of everything in the immediate area. These cells are called compliment cells because they help white blood cells overcome terrors such as virus, loads of bacteria, whatever. Complement is deadly!!! Complement destroys everything, I mean everything: human cells, virus, bacteria, mold, yeast... I see complement as artillery that is called in on its own location as a last ditch defense as if we are about to be overrun by the enemy. Complement cell is like a tiny microscopic machine gun firing in all directions, killing everything close by. Actually is quite fascinating.
Immunology is complicated, just understand our body can resist just about every invading organism on the planet. Occasionally our immune system overreacts. Autoimmune diseases: our immune system attacking our own cells, are terrible, unpredictable, pure horror it is.
Hope I made this clear, I avoided all the latin, medical terms.
[quote author=van from Arkansas>
the histamines attract white blood cells, a chemical iPhone call of 911, calling all white blood cells. Quickly white blood cells are attracted to the venom area, both M cells and other white blood cells that are just plain destroyers of everything in the immediate area.
[/quote]
Thanks for such a detailed explanation to the mechanics of our immune response to a sting, Van. Given the section on histamines being a driving force of the body?s reaction as mentioned above, is it therefore better to take an antihistamine such as Benadryl to try to deter our body from sending in the full onslaught of white cells and the like? Would this have any affect if done repeatedly in ?training? our immune system not to overreact? Or is it moot and just for comfort and our body is going to do what it?s going to do anyway?
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BF, I have not had issues with this particular veil exposing the back of my neck, thankfully! That said, I can see how the elastic ring around the neck could ride up under certain circumstances, however the bands that go under your arms do a pretty good job securing it in place where you set it. The inside of the hat also has a draw string to secure under your chin, if desired.
The front half is fine screen and at the white seams it switches to an even more breathable mesh. I have no complaints so far. It?s never presses against my nose/face due to the wide brim.
Here?s a few pics from the back and side profile for inspection.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200609/74b5b82450058e66e950e2818bba5db6.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200609/5f85229bbd58eb3f852ffcbe325af317.jpg)
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Does anyone experience mild tenderness in their thyroid glands (similar to when you?re sick)? My last two stings this month both resulted in this. I don?t recall it occurring before. It doesn?t surprise me too much after reading Van?s explanation about immune response since the thyroid is a critical component, I?m just curious if anyone else has experienced this?
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Thanks Matthew, Your veil is good design, I will send a picture of mine tomorrow and you will see what my gripe is with it. (My only gripe may I add). But a well justified gripe. lol
:grin:
.
Jurassic. Where did you buy that veil in your pictures. I have a round veil that pulls down the front with wrap around string, but it exposes the back of the neck when wearing a tshirt, ie with out a collar on the shirt.
Quote from: Bob Wilson on June 09, 2020, 02:09:15 AM
Jurassic. Where did you buy that veil in your pictures. I have a round veil that pulls down the front with wrap around string, but it exposes the back of the neck when wearing a tshirt, ie with out a collar on the shirt.
You just described my veil in my reply 27 Bob. Where did you get yours?
JurassicApiary (Mathew), this is the veil that I was telling you about yesterday. I would love it if it had been properly constructed. In my opinion it is not. Here you will see the front view as the bill is held level just as it would be in use. I forgot to add, it also has an adjustable sizer that does not work. I had to use my wife?s sewing kit to make it fit snugly Lol. I will send a picture of the side view shortly.
Phillip
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Great post as always, Van.
Jurassic, that shirt is hilarious! :cheesy:
Here you will see the side view. Again the bill is level just as it is and should be in use. No wonder the Lower neck is exposed when looking down, even when the string is properly secured as instructed. As I said earlier, had it not been for this flaw, I would have loved it. Bummer lol
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Looking closely, it would seem the design is a good one, I think the problem is the lack of quality control there in the factory where assembled. It seems the face screen is sewn in upside down, flip flopped if you will? If so, no telling how many was improperly constructed, assembled and distributed all over the world. This is just my opinion. I do not have facts to back this up as I have not seen the patent blueprints.
Quote from: The15thMember on June 09, 2020, 12:03:37 PM
Great post as always, Van.
Jurassic, that shirt is hilarious! :cheesy:
Haha, thanks 15th.
Quote from: Ben Framed on June 09, 2020, 12:04:57 PM
Here you will see the side view. Again the bill is level just as it is and should be in use. No wonder the Lower neck is exposed when looking down, even when the string is properly secured as instructed. As I said earlier, had it not been for this flaw, I would have loved it. Bummer lol
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Indeed, BF, wow, you can definitely see that the neck ring is not even all the way around. No wonder you're neck is exposed!
Quote from: Bob Wilson on June 09, 2020, 02:09:15 AM
Jurrassic, Where did you buy that veil in your pictures. I have a round veil that pulls down the front with wrap around string, but it exposes the back of the neck when wearing a tshirt, ie with out a collar on the shirt.
Bob, it was an Amazon find here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NDWFZJK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(The "Made in China" is not on the hat...it was for their picture only.) Instead, the band actually says "Hunter Bee" and is stitched to the hat, but I'm sure it could be removed.
However, this one below looks to be exactly the same style and would be cheaper for most of you. I bought the other one above because it shipped free to me here in Hawaii as it is prime. This one below ships free to the lower 48 but they wanted almost $25 S&H to Hawaii so it was cheaper for me to buy the one above for $29 and get a bonus pair of gloves (which are a bit thin btw).
https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Beekeeping-Bee-Maintenance-Goodland/dp/B01ERPFP5I/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=sunflower+beekeeper+hat&qid=1591717387&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-5
Stings for me can have a variety of effects, depending on where I get hit. Facial stings hurt like blunt force trauma for several hours, but rarely cause extreme swelling. Getting hit in the wrist will swell my entire forearm. An injection to the back of my hand will swell the fingers and hand to the point of limited mobility for a couple of days.
Unlike some folks here, I have only taken about 6 stings over the course of 3 years. Only one since I started going gloveless. I can't speak to building up resistance.
I have the same one as JurassicApiary. I like it a lot. Mine leaves the back of my neck exposed a bit but once it?s pulled down in the back it?s covered. It makes me feel better to adjust it, but then what difference does it make if my shoulder blades aren?t covered. I?m in shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops.
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This is what I use 90% of the time.
https://www.bugshirt.com/products/original/
When I know things are going to get knarly then the goto are the coveralls, gauntlets and old trusty Alexander style veil.
Nice veils and bug shirts.
I bought an alexadrian veil, which came folded, even though it is round, and it has taken me a long time to work out the bends in the mesh. I should probably try to heat it, then let it cool straight.
Quote from: Bob Wilson on June 05, 2020, 10:25:21 PM
I got hit today for the 5th time since I started beekeeping spring 2019.
Last week I received my 4th. I pulled my hive tool off my pocket magnet, and there was a bee perched on it. That one was on the palm side of my forefinger. It hurt for a minute, then itched a little that day with a tiny bump.
But today?! I got stung on the top of that same hand, near my pinkie knuckle. That whole side of my hand is swollen, itchy, and is tender sore.
I have never had a reaction like this before. I was beginning to think I was super bee impervious. Not anynore.
What's the deal?
Bob,
Many years ago I worked with Amber Rose doing BVT. She had a protocol that patients needed to follow before she would start treatment. It was no alcohol within the last 24 hours and taking 4000 mg of vitamin C a day. I don't remember the exact reasoning, but something to do with your body needs the vitamin C to produce whatever it needs to react to the venom. She claimed when you body didn't have enough vitamin C, that is when anaphylaxis occurs. At the time, she had stung over 10,000 people and never had an anaphylaxis incident. Since then I have always taken vitamin C during bee season and have noticed much less issues with stings. Ya they still hurt like hell for about 30 seconds on certain areas of my body, but then the pain is gone and within a few hours I don't even remember where the sting happened.
Your mileage mat vary, but might be worth a try.
Quote from: Robo on June 14, 2020, 10:47:39 AM
Bob,
Many years ago I worked with Amber Rose doing BVT. She had a protocol that patients needed to follow before she would start treatment. It was no alcohol within the last 24 hours and taking 4000 mg of vitamin C a day. I don't remember the exact reasoning, but something to do with your body needs the vitamin C to produce whatever it needs to react to the venom. She claimed when you body didn't have enough vitamin C, that is when anaphylaxis occurs. At the time, she had stung over 10,000 people and never had an anaphylaxis incident. Since then I have always taken vitamin C during bee season and have noticed much less issues with stings. Ya they still hurt like hell for about 30 seconds on certain areas of my body, but then the pain is gone and within a few hours I don't even remember where the sting happened.
Your mileage mat vary, but might be worth a try.
Thanks for sharing, Robo. I'm going to give this a try.
Rob,
That is good info. I eat a lot of fruit everyday and this may help with my body not reacting to bee stings.
Jim Altmiller
Exactly the opposite for me and my wife. She lives on fruit and I can take it or leave it. She has extreme reactions and I have nearly none. Not saying vitamin C doesn't help but it is not the complete answer.
Just found out this evening that the complete answer to "that bee" who won't get away from your face...is the clapping method.
Best. Defense. Ever. Thanks, HP.