Utah Beekeeper Dies From Stings

[njfl]

That's good info Dimmsdale.  Thanks!

[sc-bee]

According to one allergist, Beekeepers and there family should get at least one sting a month to keep from developing severe allergic reactions.
Jim

Jim, you remind me of something I have heard but never have I known anyone to confirm it. Anyway- if a beekeeper has someone in the family that is allergic, they can sometimes have a reaction just from handling clothing. equipment etc that has been exposed to bee venom. Ex. Washing a bee suit or jacket that has an amount of venom (for lack of a better word) built up on the outside of it over time.

Anyone ever heard of this? And yes I guess the OP is taking the thread off tracK??? But just curious?

[brooklynbees]

Spoke to my internist yesterday during a routine exam and showed him my latest sting on my pinky finger. Caught the girl between my fingers while working a frame and she stung me. Was wearing polyproplene gloves and managed to get the stinger out by pullng on the glove, but the finer still swelled up. Doc said a few stings periodically is better than being stung every once in a while - apparently the more you're stung, the better your resistance is to the venom.

Anyways, its a darn shame what happened to that young lady and to her family, and especially her 6-year old daughter. To lose your mother so young is horrible. I pray the good Lord will keep them safe.

[Kathyp]

apparently the more you're stung, the better your resistance is to the venom.

for many people this is true, but not all.  there are beekeepers who have been stung all their lives and suddenly develop a reaction.  same can happen with anything, not just stings.

it's worth remembering that a bad reaction can happen to anyone, anytime, even with one sting.  better to be prepared and never need it...

[BeeMaster2]

According to one allergist, Beekeepers and there family should get at least one sting a month to keep from developing severe allergic reactions.
Jim

Jim, you remind me of something I have heard but never have I known anyone to confirm it. Anyway- if a beekeeper has someone in the family that is allergic, they can sometimes have a reaction just from handling clothing. equipment etc that has been exposed to bee venom. Ex. Washing a bee suit or jacket that has an amount of venom (for lack of a better word) built up on the outside of it over time.

Anyone ever heard of this? And yes I guess the OP is taking the thread off tracK??? But just curious?

I read about this about a week or two, I think it was a thread here on Beemaster.
Jim
Auto correct sure can  mess up a sentence.

[Course Bee]

According to our allergist anyone can have a severe reaction, even if they haven't reacted before, although it is a lot less likely if you've been stung in the past and not had a reaction. Everyone's body reacts differently. Some will become more sensitive with each exposure and others will build tolerance with each exposure.

Some allergens are different as well. For instance, environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, or mold tend to decrease when exposure is increased over time (allergy injections, they start with slight amounts and increase slowly), while most food allergies increase (become more severe) with each exposure. So if you have food allergies you try to not have any exposure and if you have environmental allergies you try to increase exposure over time.

I'm not sure where venom fits exactly however for me I seem to be reacting less severely with each exposure. I am trying to limit exposure to one or two stings at the most and only occasional exposure.

Very sad loss.

[10framer]

After reading this, I decided to get bite the bullet and get a couple epipens to keep around for emergencies.  I downloaded the coupon that homesteader posted.  THANKS SO MUCH!   Unfortunately, I couldn't use it with my government insurance, however with insurance, the 2 pack only cost me $15.00.  I had held off buying them because I heard they were so expensive.  If you have insurance, why not get a couple!  My doc wrote me the script no questions asked.  Peace of mind is a good thing!

don't forget that they have a relatively short shelf life (1 year maybe?).  i know it's almost time for me to get new ones.

[jayj200]

I'm one of those Beekeepers that usually does not ware any protection. Like 10framer, the heat and humidity and a suit will kill you down here. One of the reasons that I got into beekeeping was to get stung to correct a problem that I had had with my shoulder. My second year with only 2 hives, I did not get stung and the problem came back. The following year with 12 hives, the shoulder problem was gone again.
According to one allergist, Beekeepers and there family should get at least one sting a month to keep from developing severe allergic reactions.
Jim

but no more than one or two.

the itch is un********able

[divemaster1963]

I got the coupon and called my cardiologist and he call a script in for me . no cost at all to me . the pens have a shelf life of 9months. The coupon is good for unlimited quantities of refills till Dec 31st.. I'm picking a pack a month up till Dec. Both the adult and Jr. Dose. Just in case of a accidental contact by visitors. We have the good sumaritian law here so I am protected plus the apiaries are posted .

John

P.S. the pharmacy said that the shilf life if keep cool and out of the direct light that it would last up to 18 months just keep a I on the color of the drug.

[Kathyp]

P.S. the pharmacy said that the shilf life if keep cool and out of the direct light that it would last up to 18 months just keep a I on the color of the drug.

thanks, was going to post that.  also, if all you have is some expired stuff and you need it, use it.  even if it's not as strong as new, it's better than nothing.  it doesn't magically turn into poison  ;-)

[BlueBee]

I got attacked by a Rottweiler last fall and went to urgent care to get some stitches and a tetanus shot.  It's been about 10 years since my last tetanus shot and doctors visit.  So after getting stitched up, I asked the doc about getting some epipens.  He said why?  I said because I'm a bee keeper.  He laughed and said I should look for a different career!  We beeks don't get any respect. :laugh:

Anyways he tells me that in Michigan it is illegal for an unlicensed person to give another person a shot and hence he wouldn't and couldn't legally prescribe any for me.  So I asked him what was the procedure in Michigan if somebody gets stung and has an allergic reaction.  He said, get them to the ER as fast as possible; that was all we can legally do.  He said the law as absolutely stupid in this regards, but it is what it is.  I won't ruffle any feathers by mentioning again what party has total power in Lansing right now.  :shock: 

[10framer]

blue, i seriously doubt that law was written recently if it exists at all.  who gives diabetic children insulin shots?  you wouldn't be trolling with that one would you?

[BlueBee]

Nope, just reporting what the doc told me.  Good question about the insulin though.  I don't know.  

Technically lots of things can only be performed by folks licensed by the state.  And I'm sure those laws have been on the books for a LONG time.  However that's no excuse for not correcting them IMO.

[RHBee]

Nope, just reporting what the doc told me.  Good question about the insulin though.  I don't know.  

Technically lots of things can only be performed by folks licensed by the state.  And I'm sure those laws have been on the books for a LONG time.  However that's no excuse for not correcting them IMO.

Maybe you should change your political affiliation and get involved. LOL. I know that ain't gonna happen.  :-D

[beesNme]

i am sorry to hear about your loss

[D Coates]

Nope, just reporting what the doc told me.  

The doc mentioned nothing about politics or who's in charge in Lansing.  That was purely your spin, not actual reporting.  It adds nothing to the conversation.