Regarding concerns over developing systemic allergic reactions to bee
stings, I have a bit of personal experience.  I'll say up front that
your results may vary.  We all have different finger prints, we all have
different reactions.
 
I have been keeping bees since the mid-seventies and have had my share
of stings.  Usual reaction - pain, minor swelling, itching for a few
days afterwards.  Last summer, after working with the bees I was taking
off my gear and did not notice the bee on my suit who ended up stinging
me in the butt.  First and only time in that location.  About 5 minutes
later I was in distress - heat flashes, sever itching over my entire body,
hive from head to toe.  I ended up in the emergency room, received a shot of
cortozone and a few minutes later I was fine (although quite drousy).  The
doctor gave me a subscription for an Epi-pen, the number for an allergist and
the STRONG suggestion that I find a new hobby.
 
I got the Epi-pen, but wasn't ready to go to the allergist and wasn't
willing to give up my hobby.  Having received hundreds (thousands?) of
stings with negligible reactions, I was quite surprised to have this
severe reaction.  I knew about developing reactions and all that, but
always figured that was for other folks, not me.  Well, I kept the
Epi-pen near at hand but was eager to see how I would react to the next
sting.  It was a few weeks in coming, but when it arrived I had the
usual reaction, nothing more.  I have received many stings since, all
with what is for me the usual reaction - pain, redness, itching, and now
that I think about it, very little if any swelling.
 
I'm certainly NOT advocating a cavalier attitude about bee stings,
especially when one has had a severe reaction.  However, I take exception
with the standard recommendation that a single bad reaction be followed
up with desensitising treatments from a certified, highly qualified
(check them credentials and get second opinions) and probably expensive
allergist, and by all means, get rid of those bees!  There is always the
possibility that the severe reaction was a fluke!  Mine may have been
due to the sensitive area in which I was stung, or it may have been a
reaction in combination with some exotic food I ate the day before, or
it may be the ibuprofin I took that morning, or it may indeed have been
the first sign of a developing severe reaction to bee stings.  I
honestly can't say.  But I certainly am glad I did not sell the farm
(either literally or figuratively).  My advice is to proceed with caution,
but definitely proceed!  I would hate to see such a good man leave
beekeeping.
 
Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!