Sting reaction

NeilTheCop · December 14, 2016, 04:56:08 PM

Been beekeeping for a few years now and have picked up the normal number of stings, always had the same reaction, pain, slight swelling at the site which became a red area about 2" across and itched like crazy. A few hours and it was gone, except for the itching.
A few days a go I was in my yard when a bee got caught in my beard and I took a sting to the cheek. Because of the location I asked the wife to pull the stinger out for me. I, of course didn't make the scraping procedure clear and she grabbed the tweezers and pulled it out, with the associated injection of the full venom load from the sac.
Nothing new happened at first but a few hours later I began to get a throbbing in the ears, increased heart-rate and swelling in the face. Over a few more hours I started to break out in a rash and ended up covered in it, like I had chickenpox all over. Had me worried a bit so I took a couple of anti histamine, which knocked me out. 6 hours later it had all gone, except for the itching at the site of the sting!
My concern is what is likely to happen the next time I get stung.
Anyone had a similar adverse reaction out of the blue?

Psparr · December 14, 2016, 06:12:17 PM

I've taken a few in the chin which have hurt more than other areas, but nothing like your describing. But your still here, so that's good.

splitrock · December 14, 2016, 08:53:00 PM

I'd say proceed with some caution till you can learn more. That would sure get my attention!

Milo · December 15, 2016, 07:56:07 AM

I had a similar reaction as a teenager.

I had been stung many times on the feet running barefoot through cape weed as a kid and never had much of a reaction but once when I was swimming I got stung on the inside of my forearm about two inches from my elbow. My arm blew up and I broke out in red pocks all over my chest. Took an antihistamine and was fine.

I have been stung a few times since then and never had more than an itchy welt but I still have a scar inside my arm where I was stung. It looks like the scars on my dear old mums arm (only smaller) from her vaccines back in the fifties.

Hops Brewster · December 15, 2016, 10:43:57 AM

Early this summer I took 3 stings on my left hand and wrist in just a few seconds. I wasn't able to get all 3 out quickly, it took a couple minutes to get the 3rd one on my wrist out, and my hand and forearm swelled up to the elbow for 2 days, even with antihistamine. I couldn't even put on my wristwatch.
Fast forward a few weeks, I took another sting in just about the same place on the wrist. I was able to scrape the sting out in a jiffy. This time just a little swelling that was gone the next day with some itching.

Each sting is different in location, depth of penetration, amount of venom injected, etc. etc., so reactions will vary. Don't worry yourself now. Learn the symptoms of anaphylaxis, just in case. Keep the benedryl handy and don't wear any rings or watches while in the hives. Don't sweat it. Stings happen.

Dallasbeek · December 15, 2016, 01:17:01 PM

Ditto on the advice about rings and watches. I've been stung several times right next to my shiny watch. (I guess I'm a slow learner.) They seem to be attracted to and maybe offended by shiny things.

Michael Bush · December 15, 2016, 01:30:45 PM

If you are rearing a ring and get stung anywhere on that hand, I would take the ring off while you can... I haven't worn a ring for forty years...

PhilK · December 15, 2016, 06:28:39 PM

Quote from: Hops Brewster on December 15, 2016, 10:43:57 AM
Learn the symptoms of anaphylaxis, just in case.

Like increased heart rate, and skin reactions away from the sting site?

I can't believe nobody has said this yet but I would go and see a doctor and tell him what happened. Don't listen to a bunch of people on the internet who say "you'll probably be fine". Yes, you probably will be fine, but what if you're not? Get medical advice, and (not sure what the go is in the US) get an EpiPen if the doctor thinks it is needed.

JackM · December 16, 2016, 10:34:21 AM

Quote from: PhilK on December 15, 2016, 06:28:39 PM
Quote from: Hops Brewster on December 15, 2016, 10:43:57 AM
Learn the symptoms of anaphylaxis, just in case.
Like increased heart rate, and skin reactions away from the sting site?

I can't believe nobody has said this yet but I would go and see a doctor and tell him what happened. Don't listen to a bunch of people on the internet who say "you'll probably be fine". Yes, you probably will be fine, but what if you're not? Get medical advice, and (not sure what the go is in the US) get an EpiPen if the doctor thinks it is needed.

BEST ADVICE SO FAR. You have displayed the initial signs and symptoms of anaphalyxis and you should have the ability to administer Epinephrine. Epi Pen is a rip off you can get it in less expensive ways. DO NOT take another sting until you have seen a doctor about this.

NeilTheCop · December 16, 2016, 05:33:34 PM

Unfortunately from past experience I have absolutely no faith in doctors.
I'll let you all know what happens next sting, but don't worry I'm old and have the attitude that we are all going to die of something, so it may as well be something you like doing, and I like beekeeping and drinking

BeeMaster2 · December 16, 2016, 11:29:56 PM

I am a firm beleaver that we are here for a reason and when our time is up the good lord will take us home. I have had a few situations where I did not think I would see tomorrow. Enjoy your life while you are here. If you do not have a bucket list, make one and live it.
Jim

BeeMaster2 · December 16, 2016, 11:34:55 PM

By the way, having an observation hive was something I always wanted from the time I saw one in the Styers Apple Market in Pennsylvania when I was about 10 years old.
Check.

Jim

JackM · December 17, 2016, 10:51:05 AM

Quote from: NeilTheCop on December 16, 2016, 05:33:34 PM
Unfortunately from past experience I have absolutely no faith in doctors.
I'll let you all know what happens next sting, but don't worry I'm old and have the attitude that we are all going to die of something, so it may as well be something you like doing, and I like beekeeping and drinking

Well good, I am a retired EMT Paramedic, not a doctor and you need to somehow be able to deliver 0.3 mg of ephnephrine subcutaneously in the event of anaphalyxis. To get the medication, you need to doc to write a script.....Strangling in your own fluids is not a fun way to die.

bwallace23350 · December 18, 2016, 03:17:39 PM

Scary sounds like it could lead to anaphylaxis. Go see a doc and get some epi pens. It is better to be safe than sorry.

bwallace23350 · December 18, 2016, 03:19:27 PM

I got myself two epi pens. Not because I am afraid of death, as a devout Christian I know heaven will be a better place, but because I have a small child and want to raise him. There is always something worth living for so do yoursefl a favor and talk to a medical professional.

Beeboy01 · December 19, 2016, 11:22:08 PM

I carry benadril caplets and will pop one open and slip it under my tongue if I get a reaction to a sting.

bwallace23350 · December 20, 2016, 11:02:33 PM

Will that stop a serious reaction?

BeeMaster2 · December 21, 2016, 06:35:54 AM

Only long enough to get to a hospital. When the dose wears off the severe reaction returns. That is why when I went to the hospital, they kept me in the hospital for 24 hours.
Jim

bwallace23350 · December 24, 2016, 09:37:54 AM

Good to know. Thanks

KeyLargoBees · December 29, 2016, 09:00:05 AM

Good on ya Neil. Do what feels right. Face and neck stings are always more dicey than hand and wrist stings. I got popped on the lip a few weeks back and the reaction was so over the top i considered the ER but swelling was gone in an hour and since then I have taken numerous stings to the hands with the same reaction as always.