Allergic to propolis?

[homer]

Has anyone ever heard of being allergic to bee propolis?  I'm almost 100% sure that I'm allergic to it.  I've been getting really itchy rashes on the inside of my wrists, the inside of my elbows and on my forehead.  I was baffled as to what it could be... then while extracting last weekend I must've ended up with a little (dime size) dab of propolis on the inside of my wrist and the next day it was swollen and itchy.  I figure the propolis on my golves explains everything as I wipe my forehead through my veil when I sweat, and pulling gloves on and off would explain the rashes on my arms.

Anyway... just wondering if anyone has ever heard of this before.  On that note... I'm sure my bee suit could use a good cleaning, but I'm afraid that it will make a mess of our washing machine.  Should I just take it to the laundromat and make a mess of thiers :D  Is there any good way to clean your gloves?

[Kathyp]

i toss all mine in the washer.  gentle cycle, line dry.  i treat my leather gloves with saddle conditioner just before they are dry.  you could bucket wash them if you are worried about your washer.  DON'T use fabric softer, or anything that smells nice and flowery  :-).  seems like a no brainer, but if you are in the habit of doing it, it's easy to forget!

[Scadsobees]

I soak my gloves (canvas, really holey) in mineral spirits for a bit, then scrub with hot soapy water.  That is once a year or less, though.  I don't use them so much anymore.

I tried to wash them in the wash machine with our unmentionables with bleach, but all of our unmentionables ended up with yellow spots  :shock:.  I don't want to have to explain that one to a paramedic if I'm in an accident!! :-D

[Vibe]

  I don't want to have to explain that one to a paramedic if I'm in an accident!! :-D

I've never understood this worry. If you are in an accident...you will have fresher "spots" that will be completely self explanatory. First you say it...then you do it. :D

[sc-bee]

Article in Bee Culture this month about allergies to bee venom. Mentions you could increase your families susceptibility to allergies by wearing clothing around them with dried bee venom on them. 

[Vibe]

What did they propose as a common counteractant to venom and propolis?