Hello Allen & All,

Allen raises some valid points. Especially about medications & stings. MD's
have warned beekeepers about certain meds causing reactions from bee stings.

>And, although it is rare, people like us, who are apparently quite tolerant
of bee stings can suddently present with a life-threatening reaction, with
no warning.

I am going to add my 2 cents worth based on a lifetime of beekeeping and
working side by side with the largest beekeepers the world has ever seen
(and most likely ever will).

Low dose  is the problem. I have NEVER heard of a person getting the number
of stings a *working daily* commercial beekeeper gets having a serious
reaction (150-200 per year).

Those doing apitherapy will quickly tell you one single sting from a
honeybee left in for fifteen minutes is better for apitherapy than five of
the shots (bee venom) the Doctor gives.

I am sold on the notion bee stings help to prevent arthritis. Arthritis runs
in my family . My mother had crippling rheumatoid. My father walked with
help of a cane due to arthritis! Both suffered from arthritis pain in the
last years of their lives. Not me!

 My family is totally amazed at family reunions at my lack of any signs of
arthritis! They rub my knuckles in disbelief. My MD has tried to give me a
script for arthritis. I told him I have NOT GOT arthritis. To prove to him I
took an arthritis test which came back negative.

I used to wear protective clothing to prevent stings. After learning from
Charles Mraz. I went in a different direction. I get about twice the stings
a year required for full immunity to stings.

I was in the bee yards today with help pulling supers. Help in full English
style suit, gloves , boots and duck tape in places. Hot and no stings.

I am in a white T shirt with bare arms, loose fitting pants with open legs
and penny loafers. I do wear a bug baffler (thin loose netting over head
used for night fishing and camping).

The help tries to tell when I get a sting. Today they could not tell so aske
d. I said around 10. I really enjoyed today despite the bees were starting
to rob a bit towards the end of the day which increases stinging.

For this post I  looked and found 9 little red spots where the stinger went
in. I believe I got stung twice on top of the head through the netting. When
the bees are upset I get a few side of face and neck stings.No swelling or
pain of any kind. I feel great!

It is my opinion the beekeeper has to make a choice. Either like Aaron and
every helper I have ever had to avoid all stings.
OR
To choose to maintain full immunity by getting 150-200 stings a year . If
arthritis is in your future (like was in mine) perhaps the stings might be
worth consideration?

In between is dangerous ground in my opinion. Many may not agree which does
not bother me! I firmly believe *low dose*  is the problem when you hear of
beekeeper and beekeeper family reactions.

I carry an epipen not for me but for my help! I have used epinephrine once
to save a part time beekeeper going in anaphylaxis.

Also those which do get anaphylaxis from a bee sting will tell you they do
NOT WAIT for symptoms to give the shot. They give  as soon after being stung
as possible.

Interesting subject and covered many times on BEE-L.

Bob

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