I'm not sure where the disagreement is, unless you are suggesting that a
prolonged swelling is a sign of allergy.
 
In that case, I beg to differ.  The question of what constitutes an
allergic reaction is subject to some misunderstanding.  Even doctors
(GP's) are somewhat unknowledgeable about it.  We have a local GP who
considers everyone (as far as I can tell) to be allergic to bees because
they react by swelling.
 
Swelling is a normal reaction to a venom injection, not an allergic reaction.
 
I'm really concerned about the disinformation going the rounds.  If
everyone believes that a swelling is an allergy, we're not going to be
able to hire any help.
 
I personally am truly allergic to bees, as are many beekeepers.  However
I am, however, to a great extent immune to the stings.
 
We will be digging up some old research that was sponsored by the Alberta
Beekeepers and The Canadian Honey Council shortly and trying to get it out
to the doctors and the public again.  Very few doctors (including
allergists) apparently know how simple it usually is to cure allergy
to bee stings.  There is too much to know these days!
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                 ARS  VE6CFK
Rural Route One, Swalwell,  Alberta  Canada  T0M 1Y0
Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588      Email: [log in to unmask]
 
On Fri, 14 Oct 1994, Mark Alexander wrote:
 
> Sorry to disagree, I mostly get stung on the hands and/or wrist,
> mostly bees getting into my gloves. Sometimes there is no reaction,
> except for a mark where the skin was punctured, no allergic reaction.
> Othertimes one sting on the hand can cause swelling that continues
> for many hours. The last time this happened my arm was swollen upto
> the elbow after 6 hours when I went to the doctor and had a steriod
> (not an asteriod as I stated previously) shot.
 
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                 ARS  VE6CFK
Rural Route One, Swalwell,  Alberta  Canada  T0M 1Y0
Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588      Email: [log in to unmask]