Do I need to worry about stings?

evolved · May 10, 2014, 12:32:01 AM

Last year I started my foray into beekeeping. Unfortunately, the package did not last and I lost them. In the process, I was stung a couple of times. No big deal. I had what you'd expect from a honey bee.

This package I got this year is a different story. First 2 stings was 1 in the finger, and 1 on the back of the hand. The finger sting caused no swelling, and very minimal pain. However, my hand swelled and was red.

The next 2 I got were in the forearm, and inside my nose.... My forearm from elbow to wrist was swollen slightly and red. However, the whole right side of my face swelled. So much so, I was unable to open my eye the next day and took a few days to fully return to normal. I also had flu like symptoms the day after. This worried me a bit as I've never had reactions to stings like this. Am I becoming allergic or is this colony of bees especially potent?

sc-bee · May 10, 2014, 12:45:40 AM

Don't think it is the bees.... I think it is you :( The swelling may come and go as you take more stings but the flu-like symptoms, I am not sure of. What exactly do you mean, flu like symptoms. Throbbing, blurred vision, dizziness, fever. chills etc. certainly not a good thing If I get stung in the neck it is usually worse. I tell myself cause closer to that empty cavity in my head.

You hear folks say the more stings you get the less you react. And as a whole this is true but even one sting after hundreds though the years can trigger an episode. Might want to invest in an epi-pen. Also take along some liquid benedryl.

evolved · May 10, 2014, 01:45:41 AM

I felt generally crappy, borderline chills, and sore muscles. Subsided after one day.

I've been stung by various insects since I was a kid. Never had reactions like this. :(

Spear · May 10, 2014, 03:16:28 AM

I don't think you need to worry. Since you were stung inside your nose I would expect you to have a worse reaction than normal as the venom will go right into your blood stream and into your brain - the blood arteries in and around the mouth and nose lead to the brain - that will understandably course some unpleasant results. But if it makes you feel better get an epi-pen just incase.

GSF · May 10, 2014, 07:13:13 AM

I've been stung on the eyebrow twice - no big deal. I got stung on my temple and my eye almost swoll shut. Different bee, different places, different results - I guess.

BeeMaster2 · May 10, 2014, 08:19:32 AM

I have been stung between my eye brows at least 6 times with no reaction other than it hurt for 5 minutes. I have the same reaction when stung just inside my nose. Hurts like crazy, eyes water and then no reaction.
I got stung on the lip, ear, check and in my hair and my face swelled up like a balloon especially around my lip. I made the mistake of not having anyone check to make sure all of the stingers were out. The one in my lip did not scrape off and I did not know it was still in there.
Until you get to the point that you do not react, use Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream on the area. It helps your body to stop reacting as well as reduce the swelling.
Jim

HomeSteadDreamer · May 10, 2014, 11:00:11 AM

Some people become less sensitive over time other become MORE sensitive over time. That amount of swelling may be something to worry about. If your reaction continues to be worse then you'll need to read some more information regarding the possibility of becoming more allergic. You might just have gotten a worse dose this time.

1. I'd definately get an epi-pen. I got mine through our local club. There was a class you take and then you get a note for your doctor to give you a prescirption for an epi-pen.

2. It doesn't sound like you are wearing equipment if they caught you inside the nose. With these kinds of reactions you should probably wear equipment.

3. if you feel your throat tightening or ever feel dizzy enough like you are going to pass out then you should call an ambulance.

4. when you get stung are you removing the stinger right away, because it will continue to pump venom into you after the bee has flown away. You want to remove that as soon as possible to reduce the amount of venom injected.

Intheswamp · May 10, 2014, 12:51:46 PM

Good info already given. Just take note of future reaction to stings.

Keep a bottle of children's liquid benadryl handy....I haven't found adult strength in a liquid. :?

Years (decades) ago I had a friend that was working in a summer program with the county...cleaning ditches on dirt roads. He got into a red wasp nest and one stung him up his nose. I saw him that evening and his entire face was swollen, almost to the point of both eyes being swelled shut...his cheeks were swollen. I rolled on the ground laughing. After maturing over the last four decades from that incident I now see the seriousness of what happened to him. He had a local reaction to the sting but it was still in a spot that could have caused a serious health threat but thankfully it didn't. That is probably what happened to you, also,...a localized reaction that didn't close up your windpipe. BUT...observe going forward how you react to stings. Try to have someone with you the next couple of times that you are in your bees...or at least close by. An epi-pen is never a bad thing to have on hand...but needs to be used with care and knowledge of how/when to use it.

I would think that the "flu like" symptoms were probably caused from sinuses, throat, ear canals, etc.,. possibly swelling and letting pressure build up a bit. Sounds like a natural reaction.

Could you share the situation that you were in when you took the nose sting? Without a veil I will go around my hives and do things from *behind* as long as I don't expose any frames. If I expose any frames inside the hive I will be wearing a veil. I just don't want to risk an eye sting. Having and having had some loved ones with serious vision problems I've found that eyesight is a very, very precious thing that I want to protect. A bee sting to the eyeball is not a good thing.

Ed

OldMech · May 10, 2014, 09:04:45 PM

The only time I experienced flu like symptoms was after being stung in excess of 40 times.. I was fine the rest of the afternoon, but woke up about 3 AM and threw up, sweaty and then chills until I threw up.. went back to bed and felt fine the next morning.
Why so many stings? Don't even go there... Dad always said if your going to be dumb you have to be tuff.

Dallasbeek · May 10, 2014, 09:18:13 PM

I recently had a sting on the left side of my forehead, about where my hairline used to start, and the left side of my face was swollen for 3 or 4 days. My wife, a former registered nurse, thinks a sting over or near the trigeminal nerve (3-branhed nerve the runs from about the ear to the cheek and forehead areas) could be the cause of the unusual reaction. Some have mentioned those areas in this string. Any neurologist beekeepers out there?

I wouldn't over-react, since we all experience varied reactions to stings. I was stung last year directly over the carotid artery and it didn't even swell, then the sting on the forehead this year and my left eye was swollen shut. In another string, we discussed the variable potency of the bee venom. I think when bees are really PO'd, they give us a bigger shot. i'd definitely call 911 if I had reactions like sc-bee mentioned.

Gary

Blacksheep · May 10, 2014, 10:32:39 PM

HI well I now have 3 hives and the other day I had checked them and walked away about 40 foot and removed my jacket and viel,Wham!!2 got me at the same time 1 on the forhead and other in the eye close to the tear gland.That one caused a problem!Had to go to Eye Doctor next day.I t is still swollen some but getting better.I wear glasses and he got under the glass and I slapped the glasses off and bruised my nose..Ain't bee keeping fun?????

evolved · May 10, 2014, 11:16:31 PM

Thanks all. I did not experience any dizziness or throat swelling so I wasn't nearly as concerned as my fiance. She kept bugging me about going to the doc. (Which I did not)

I try removing stingers asap. I had to walk to the house to see what was going on with my nose sting. I thought it was on the outside, but a mirror proved otherwise. It was the weirdest pain. It was like allergies X 1000. Searing sensation, extremely watery eyes, and an intense swelling and itching feeling. I found this article while researching how seriously I should have taken the event:

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/bee-stings-painful-nose-scientist-article-1.1747427

Quote from: Intheswamp on May 10, 2014, 12:51:46 PM
Could you share the situation that you were in when you took the nose sting? Without a veil I will go around my hives and do things from *behind* as long as I don't expose any frames. If I expose any frames inside the hive I will be wearing a veil. I just don't want to risk an eye sting. Having and having had some loved ones with serious vision problems I've found that eyesight is a very, very precious thing that I want to protect. A bee sting to the eyeball is not a good thing.

Ed

Basically, I had just pulled a few empty top bars out and was looking into the hive. I should have known better. It was overcast and while I have very limited experience, most sources online say avoid cloudy/rainy days, but I figured I'd only be in there a minute while changing out the sugar water. They didn't waste a second. Usually I can see them getting agitated, but this time it was immediate. No warning at all. I can't say I'll wear a veil from here on out but since that day, I sure have. :-D

sc-bee · May 10, 2014, 11:41:29 PM

Most likely not a problem. As I said above I have taken a couple in the neck possibly on a route to that dead muscle upstairs that did worry me. Err on the safe side and have the liquid benedryl with you. There was an old time beek in a bee club I was in that took a couple stings in the throat and woke up in the hospital. Over his 30+ years he had been stung hundreds of times. He figures it was the location. He forgot to zip his veil.

Not trying to be pessimistic just cautious. As said above monitor you reactions to stings for a while which will most likely get better :th_thumbsupup:

Bush_84 · May 11, 2014, 12:54:56 AM

Liquid Benadryl is advertised as children's but there is no real difference between children and adults. You just need more. Take enough liquid to get to 50 mg and it's the same thing.

When it comes to allergic reactions there's anaphylaxis and there's everything else. Anaphylaxis will cause you to feel lightheaded, short of breath, swelling in throat, diffuse rash. I don't care how much swelling you get around a sting, without systemic symptoms you aren't allergic.

Intheswamp · May 11, 2014, 01:55:08 AM

Quote from: evolved on May 10, 2014, 11:16:31 PM
Quote from: Intheswamp on May 10, 2014, 12:51:46 PM
Could you share the situation that you were in when you took the nose sting? Without a veil I will go
Ed

Basically, I had just pulled a few empty top bars out and was looking into the hive. I should have known better. It was overcast and while I have very limited experience, most sources online say avoid cloudy/rainy days, but I figured I'd only be in there a minute while changing out the sugar water. They didn't waste a second. Usually I can see them getting agitated, but this time it was immediate. No warning at all. I can't say I'll wear a veil from here on out but since that day, I sure have. :-D

Ok, so you didn't have a veil on while going into the hive?

Ed

Intheswamp · May 11, 2014, 01:57:21 AM

Quote from: Blacksheep on May 10, 2014, 10:32:39 PM
HI well I now have 3 hives and the other day I had checked them and walked away about 40 foot and removed my jacket and viel,Wham!!2 got me at the same time 1 on the forhead and other in the eye close to the tear gland.That one caused a problem!Had to go to Eye Doctor next day.I t is still swollen some but getting better.I wear glasses and he got under the glass and I slapped the glasses off and bruised my nose..Ain't bee keeping fun?????

Count your blessings...that was close!!!! I'm glad it's getting better!!!

Ed

evolved · May 15, 2014, 01:59:17 PM

Quote from: Intheswamp on May 11, 2014, 01:55:08 AM
Quote from: evolved on May 10, 2014, 11:16:31 PM
Quote from: Intheswamp on May 10, 2014, 12:51:46 PM
Could you share the situation that you were in when you took the nose sting? Without a veil I will go
Ed

Basically, I had just pulled a few empty top bars out and was looking into the hive. I should have known better. It was overcast and while I have very limited experience, most sources online say avoid cloudy/rainy days, but I figured I'd only be in there a minute while changing out the sugar water. They didn't waste a second. Usually I can see them getting agitated, but this time it was immediate. No warning at all. I can't say I'll wear a veil from here on out but since that day, I sure have. :-D

Ok, so you didn't have a veil on while going into the hive?

Ed

Correct. Nothing on, besides tshirt, shorts, and shoes.

Intheswamp · May 15, 2014, 07:15:49 PM

Ok. I'm comfortable around bees, but not that comfortable. :) I will at a minimum have a veil on if I open a hive. ;)

Ed

BeeMaster2 · May 15, 2014, 10:34:12 PM

Quote from: HomeSteadDreamer on May 10, 2014, 11:00:11 AM
Some people become less sensitive over time other become MORE sensitive over time. That amount of swelling may be something to worry about. If your reaction continues to be worse then you'll need to read some more information regarding the possibility of becoming more allergic. You might just have gotten a worse dose this time.

1. I'd definitely get an epi-pen. I got mine through our local club. There was a class you take and then you get a note for your doctor to give you a prescription for an epi-pen.

2. It doesn't sound like you are wearing equipment if they caught you inside the nose. With these kinds of reactions you should probably wear equipment.

3. if you feel your throat tightening or ever feel dizzy enough like you are going to pass out then you should call an ambulance.

4. when you get stung are you removing the stinger right away, because it will continue to pump venom into you after the bee has flown away. You want to remove that as soon as possible to reduce the amount of venom injected.

1. I have an epi pen. I got it due to a severe reaction to Gasex.
2. I use protection based on weather conditions, time of day and sometimes based on hive temperament.
3. Been there done that but the first thing that I did was take 2 Benadryl, then woke up my wife. When the ambulance arrived, because I had taken the Benadryl they let my wife take me to the hospital. I still ended up staying in the hospital for the night.
4. I prefer to have someone around to back me up and remove stings that I cannot see but does not always happen.
Jim

Kevin Bentley · May 30, 2014, 08:09:38 AM

Yep. Should be concerned and follow the other folks advice here. Just yesterday afternoon I got KA-WHAMMIED while starting a cut-out job. I had a jacket on and had really just gotten started when I "remembered" to flip on the veil. Welllll, unbeknownst to me, I had a hybrid ninja/kamikaze bee visitor sitting on the veil that I rudely flipped up and over my head. Inside the LEFT NOSTRIL the she-devil went and out of the veil I came. It felt like a (CUSS WORD) Tasmanian thunderstorm inside my nose that delivered a watery, debilitating everything. I hot-footed it to the truck, removed the (CUSS WORD)stinger, popped a Benadryl, chugged some water, wrung out my head, and thankfully finished the job. Hurt like a "CUSS WORD!"! So, yes, you should be concerned, but really only if you have systemic and not localized reactionary symptoms.