Allergy?

[CountryBee]

I captured a wild hive (or some kind of swarm)early spring this year. They stung my on two separate times and I got an allergic reaction and needed an epipen for it.  Is it because they could be wild?  My other bees stung me 4 days ago and nothing, this hive the other day once and I had to go to the emergency room again.  Has anyone ever heard of this before?  They are growing, already 2 deeps tall for winter but if I cannot keep....
Thanks. :)

[Storm]

How bad was the reaction.  Was it super-swelling, or was it anaphylaxis? It is not uncommon for new beeks to experience increasing reactions with repeated stings, but then after a couple hundred stings or so it starts to go away again.  Perhaps the number of stings, amount of venom, depth/placement of stings all had something to do with why this isn't a perfect progression in your case.

I've never heard of different breeds producing different reactions.  Even AHB have essentially the same venom as an Italian or a Carni, for example, it's just that they attack en masse.  A hornet, on the other hand, has a different venom and can sting multiple times, so if you had differing reactions to different species, it would be at least plausible.

Most likely this is the normal progression of reactions, just that you happen to be one of us unfortunate few who have crossed that threshold into moderate to severe reactions.  Take heart in that it may start to go away again after a few years and a few hundred stings.  Until then, keep your epi-pen close, and join the club.  Also, I recommend keeping liquid benadryl in your bee kit.  8 tsp. (about 3 tablespoons) is the normal dose for a minor to moderate allergic reaction (up to and including massive swelling and some hives, but no breathing problems)   If in doubt, always use the pen.  Better safe than dead.  I recommend teaching family and neighbors how to use it, too, just in case.  After a few times getting stabbed with that thing, you may start to hesitate (heck, I know I do).

Just remember, it is entirely possible to be a beek with allergies.  I've been doing it for years.  Don't ditch the hive yet!

[CountryBee]

Just found out 99% it was type of horsefly byte on leg when I was working on honey bees.  The byte is still there and they said that it doesn't look like a bee sting.  In 2 weeks we will be 100% positive, until then I will wear pants and move my hives away from swampy area they are in front of (away from flies).  The sting (byte) looked the same last time, not like a regular bee sting, but more like this horse fly bite that they showed me.  Thank goodness, I have had honey bees for a long time.

[Storm]

So glad to hear the good news, and I'm glad you didn't get rid of the hive prematurely.

[CountryBee]

Me Too! :)

[slacker361]

so did you actually stick yourself with the epipen? or did they give it to you in the hospital? If you did stick yourself what was it like?

[Kathyp]

more info on the epi-pen stuff would be good.  swelling is not a reason for the epi-pen.  trouble breathing is.

not everyone develops increased tolerance to stings.  i have not. i swell up like crazy and with enough stings i start with the sweating, hives, etc.  so far, no breathing problems. 
knowing that i have these reactions, i am careful to suit up and keep benadryl with me.  i don't wait to see what will happen when i get stung, i just take the stuff.

not all stings seem to be equal.  i have been stung through gloves and clothing with minimal reaction.  other time the sting seemed minor, but by the next day i was a puffer. 

i take it they have done allergy testing on you?

[oldenglish]

True allergic reactions will vary. I know somebody who when stung can be unconscious within 30 seconds but she only has any kind of reaction 50% of the time. I am still waiting to see what happens the next time I get stung since I became allergic back in June.

[Storm]

more info on the epi-pen stuff would be good.  swelling is not a reason for the epi-pen.  trouble breathing is.

Theoretically, I agree with you here, Kathy.  Out of an abundance of caution, however, I still advise using the pen if there is any doubt about which way a sting is going.  Personally, I've only had severe breathing problems once, but there were a couple of times before I had the pen that I would have felt more comfortable knowing I had the option.  Liquid benadryl has worked the other times, even with mild breathing problems.  I don't necessarily practice what I preach  :-D.

not everyone develops increased tolerance to stings.  i have not. i swell up like crazy and with enough stings i start with the sweating, hives, etc.  so far, no breathing problems. 
knowing that i have these reactions, i am careful to suit up and keep benadryl with me.  i don't wait to see what will happen when i get stung, i just take the stuff.

Mine, too have never gotten better.  Most improve, some never do.  Sucks to be us, but with proper precautions it doesn't have to keep us out of the apiary.

Slacker:  It's no fun.  It's a larger gauge needle that has to be used with force.  Imagine a tetanus shot a few hours later, and you'll have some idea.  Still, it beats not being able to breathe. 

[CountryBee]

Slacker361- yes, I did use my epipen, no it didn't hurt.  You take it out of its holder, pull the blue top off and slam it against your upper leg and hold for at least ten seconds.  I just didn't want to stop breathing so it felt like a prick and then my wife drove me to the emergency room half hour away.
Talked to doctor last night and am referred to allergy specialist.  Took photo of sting, it actually is a horse fly bite on my calf muscle, it drew blood!  He will test me to be 100% sure in two more weeks and gave me another epipen and benadryl and a steroid for three days.  I can have shots every six months for four years to build up a tolerance he said, I want to do that if he lets me.
Storm- The emergency room said I had anaphylaxis and they gave me shots in both my arms to stop the reaction quickly from my throat.  It swelled up my lips, cheeks, and my feet and hands itched uncontrolably.  When they removed my clothes my whole body was bright red.  They fixed my though, thanks for doctors!  All better now. :)

[slacker361]

after injection did you feel your heart start beating fast and hard,did you start breathing faster after the shot ? any panic feelings?

[CountryBee]

Yes, my heart started beating really, really fast and I felt like I just biked or worked hard.  No panic feelings, my wife was mad I didn't tell her until after I put my stuff away, came back to the house, and gave myself the shot.  I thought my body could fight whatever it was that I was reacting to, I was wrong. :(

[Kathyp]

this is mine from yesterday.  we were extracting a couple of boxes and the thing just flew over and stung me.  guess you need to see both hands to really tell, but the swelling is pretty significant.  up my arm and around to the palm of the hand also.  fortunately, that's as bad as it gets for me (so far) with one or two stings.

[Storm]

That's a familiar sight, Kathy.  Even with Benadryl and topical treatments, I get hot, red swelling and some hives most of the way up my arm.  I feel for you!

[slacker361]

kathy , was that through your glove? what kinda gloves do you use

[CountryBee]

Ouch!

[Kathyp]

no gloves.  we were extracting in the kitchen and 3 or 4 bees had managed to come in on the frames.  this one flew over and stung me with no provocation. the bad thing was that my grandkids were there and we were extracting with them.  i had to bite down all the words that wanted to jump out of my mouth.  :evil:  think i got most of them.....

[CountryBee]

I usually don't wear gloves, when I get stung it looks like misquito bites.  Not swelling like that, that looks painful!  So used to stings unless on face, then it anoys me a bit! :-x  But when I was bit by horsefly on leg when working with bees... different story for me.  That was my confussion with why I was allergic twice but not any other time.  Hands and feet turn red and itch like crazy, lips and cheeks swell up, then neck.  Hope you build up a tollerance for honey bees and not swell so much.

[slacker361]

yeah with that information I think i will do the leaf blower trick when it comes time for me to harvest honey.

[Kathyp]

we did  ;)