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Bee question

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mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 07 1:04 pm Post subject: Bee question
Probably for the more experienced beekeepers. The old chap wsa planting onion sets the other day, not too far from our hives, when he was stung. He's never had a problem before, but his arm blew up like a balloon. Should we worry? He's been taking Piriton, and it's gone down a lot, but I'm worried that he might react even more severely next time.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 07 2:58 pm Post subject:
Its really hard to say, some people get better each time, some get worse. Might be worth him always keeping an antihistamine to hand, as taking one quick does seem to help a lot. Might be worth chatting to the doc about having an epipen prescribed too, just in case.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 07 4:17 pm Post subject:
Ah: epipen: that was the word for which I was searching. I was only worried because he's never reacted before, where as this was quite dramatic. Visions of having to get rid of the bees! And then one little sweetie stung me on the head today...

James

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2866
Location: York

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 07 3:00 pm Post subject:

I have very bad reactions to bee stings- all my glands swell really badly (believe me, you find glands you never knew you had�). I can control it slightly via high doses of anti-histamine administered quickly. Its a shame, becuase I'd love to keep bees but I cant risk it.
I asked a doctor about the possibility of an epi-pen and he warned against it. He said If you have one (and you declare it..) insurers regard you as a very high risk, your life insurance rockets through the roof, and many co�s will refuse to insure you all together. So unless it is REALLY important, you may consider continuing with rapidly administered anti-histamine. Hope he�s better�I bet he was like a bear with a sore head. Hope your OK too.

It might be the time of year. Or something your washing/ wearing (when I was young, I found that I couldnt use timotay shampoo- I'd be stung regularly). Instead of getting rid, you can get specially bred dosile queens.

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 07 3:46 pm Post subject:

mochyn wrote:

And then one little sweetie stung me on the head today...

there is supposed to be bad weather on the way for the next 24 hours - maybe they're just worried.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 07 5:06 pm Post subject:

Northern_Lad wrote:

mochyn wrote:

And then one little sweetie stung me on the head today...

there is supposed to be bad weather on the way for the next 24 hours - maybe they're just worried.

I think that was it. They really hate weather. Any weather. And I was wearing black and probably a bit sweaty! I don't think there was any beekeeping rule I didn't break!

For now, I suppose we'll make sure we have a lot of Piriton in the cupboard.

James: he was a bit miserable, and my head still feels like there's a dired pea under the scalp!

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 07 5:19 pm Post subject:
I always take piriton, and ibruprofen, then slap on some antihistemine for good measure. I find the pain killer helps for a couple of days, and stops me needing to itch so much, where as the piriton helps the sting go down.

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