Stings and reactions thereto.

[capt44]

I take 500mg of Vitamin C each day.
When I do get stung I put a shot of smoke over the area to mask the scent of attack.
I've been stung as high as 100 times below the waist and not swell.
But I did take a Benadryl tablet.

[CBT]

I have read you can try using bases such as urea, ammonia, and baking soda (to neutralize the acidity of the venom)

[Richard M]

I'm just a beginner but i was given the advice to blow a puff of smoke over the sting site as it happens. It seems to stop the multiple stings to the one location.

Yeah, I gave both gloves a really good smoking before I checked the new swarm hive at the weekend and had no dramas but I suspect they're still pretty docile anyway; it's the bas--rd hive that will test the theory.

[Chiefman]

I find if you take the sting out as quickly and a carefully as possible it will minimise the swelling. Use the hive tool st SCRATCH it out if you have to.
if the itching starts, I rub alcohol on the area which seems to neutralize the venom. Works for me

Some Apitherapy practitioners recommend NOT to drink or rub alcohol as it minimises the venom effect...which is what beekeepers want anyway

[Richard M]

I have read you can try using bases such as urea, ammonia, and baking soda (to neutralize the acidity of the venom)

Historically, we've used this stuff http://www.stingose.com.au/product/stingose/

It's just a 20% solution of Aluminium sulphate with a surfactant (detergent) added. Aluminium sulphate is also known as Alum, it has any uses, including as a flocullant in water treatment and in textiles. Also used in styptic pencils for shaving cuts.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7421683

It is REALLY (really) good against stings in the acute stage - I was stung whilst destroying a European Wasp (Vespula germanica - AKA "Yellowjackets" in the US) nest a few years ago, and immediate application of this stuff deadened the normally pain almost straight away (pity my employers didn't provide a bee veil, suit and gloves but this was the 80s).

Not sure how much use it would be for me withe bee-stings because I don't find them all that painful at the time I'm stung, it's a day or two later that they start to bother me, just itchiness & swelling etc.  Would hate to get stung on the lower joint pf my wedding ring finger.

Ah well, I guess the simple answer is not to get stung!!!

[GDRankin]

it's a day or two later that they start to bother me, just itchiness & swelling etc. 

My wife has some nasty "delayed reactions" to bee stings similar to what you have described. She had a couple of areas that turned black and blue and she said itching was enough to drive anyone nuts. So, she's elected to let me do all the bee work myself.

I'm not sure how much taking a couple thousand mg of Vitamin C will help you Richard, but it would be worth a try for sure. It does not cost all that much and it is something that does a body good, bee stings aside. So if you're going to continue to be around bees, it can't hurt to try anyway.

[jayj200]

tell her the femmin itch products works well

and the zapper neutralizes many venom's

[GDRankin]

tell her the femmin itch products works well

and the zapper neutralizes many venom's

:? I'm not too sure about either of those . . . and Google only made it worse.