Allergy versus sensitive versus anaphalyxis

[JackM]

I see a lot of comments on here about "well I am not allergic" or "I am allergic to wasps" and so on.  What really sticks out to me is that none seem to grasp the concept of what the heck the body is saying/responding to the event.  I am a former college educated paramedic, my wife is an RN, I have allergy issues with my body, and have researched about allergies to try to assist myself with mine.

First off, there is a huge misconception that when you get stung the first time and don't have a reaction that one is not allergic.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  It is extremely rare, if not impossible to have an allergic reaction to any given allergen without having had at least one exposure before.

I will try in my best way to explain this very complicated event within the body.  The first exposure to an allergen will elicit little reaction that is visible, but the body sees this poison that it must respond to by creating antibodies and antigens, I will just use the term antibodies so as not to confuse.  So the next time 6 weeks later when there is an exposure, the body now has antibodies to 'fight' the invader.  As they do this they release histamines which in small amounts cause local reactions, itching, and may or may not cancel the effects of the poison.  The key is they release these histamines which are what causes the reaction.  If one is allergic to something, the response to the poison/allergen is in actuality an over-reaction to the invader and releasing way too much histamine, thus causing a severe reaction.  Histamines, in large doses, cause your body to do way bad stuff in a very short period of time.

So the second time or third time one gets stung and they get a huge spot locally red, swollen, hot, itchy, maybe weeping at the sting site, well that is a sensitivity to something, but if it does not go systemic and involve the cardiovascular or respiratory system it is still a manageable occurance.  It probably will not get much worse.

Then you get folks that get stung all the time and it doesn't bother them at all.  This is where the allergens come into play.  Small doses frequently of an allergen will teach the body that it is nothing to fear and not react at all.  That is what an allergist does for his patients. 

Drugs for stings and not basting are cortisone based ointments at the site as soon as possible to stabilize the cells in the area.  Benadryl is just one drug that fights histamines (anti-histamine), Allegra is another with less sleepy side effects, but benadryl is better.  Essentially any antihistamine drug is okay.  Just one type, not multiples unless doctor says so, taken as soon as possible after a sting will lessen the response.

I tried to explain a very complicated medical process in lay terms here in a way that I hope is applicable.  I will end with, consult an allergist if you are at all in doubt about being allergic to anything, they can really be worth the $$

[Vance G]

Why this just can't be true!  At least every other person I talk to insists that they are allergic to bee stings!  Thanks for the explanation, but you are preaching to the choir.  Now explain why a dozen stings to the back of my hands has no effect lasting over seconds (pain) and one to the underside of my nose or chin can raise a golf ball size swelling but that not every time??

[BjornBee]

We have a page on our website that might be helpful:
http://www.bjornapiaries.com/beereactionsallergies.html

[JackM]

Vance, I am not that educated, but facial stuff swells more than hands because it is more 'central' to the torso.
Thanks Bjorn, more good info for the lay person.

[jataylor]

To JackM  > Thanks for the info.  good insight.

[David McLeod]

Soft tissue swells more as there is more room to swell.