Venom and allergies.

[AliciaH]

Stinging can go the other way, too.  Some of you may remember I posted last year that I got stung in the neck and had a systemic reaction.  It sounds a lot like Badger's.  The next time I got stung (a month after that, then once earlier this season) no reaction at all, not even local.  That part was nice and I'm hoping to keep that resistance for awhile!

Jack, I hear you though.  It could have gone the other way, too.  I do carry an epi pen just in case things change.  I'm usually in my apiary by myself and sometimes I forget to take my phone.  Best to be safe and have one!

[Kathyp]

MTWI, i got some advice once that i have found to be useful.  i don't have allergic reactions but i have large, nasty reactions.  i was advised to take Loratadine before i got in a situation where i was likely to be stung.  removals, etc.  

on those occasions where i have been stung after taking it, and then have taken benadryl after, my reactions have been much less.  it has the advantage of not putting you to sleep,  so i can be away from home and not worry about swigging benadryl until i get home.

[Jonat]

Does anyone know if there is a  break-down for bee venom with strength, regions or bee types (Italian, Russian etc..)  Is all bee venom the same??  I'm no expert but snake venom varies with the different types of snakes..... they all have the different chemical mixes??

As far as I know, there is not much difference between stings from different breeds of bees - they are all the same species, some breeds are known as being more aggressive, but that can also be as much a matter of the hive as the breed. When talking about snake venoms, there are big differences because the water moccasin, rattlesnake, and cobra are different species.