Dave Green writes:
>
> I'm surprised no one has proposed the best solution - throw them away!
Yup, that *is* the best way.
But I do wish there was an easier way to get used to the stings. I
started without gloves and swelled up quite a lot the first few times I
got stung. Now I react very little and once I'm stung I get
philosophical. Unfortunately that doesn't stop me feeling aprehensive
when I start and 'jumping' every time I feel a bee on the back of my
hand (I didn't used to when I started). The jump is my problem and I'm
working on it slowly -- must try harder.
I always try to work the bees as though I'm not wearing gloves and I'm
rarely stung as a consequence. BTW, I count stings into clothing as
'hits' even if I personally don't feel them. Most of my stings are when
a bee gets caught in the folds of the glove's cuff, which wouldn't be
there to trap them if I weren't wearing them!
> On second thought, don't throw the gloves away, put them in the toolbox.
Good for weeding out stinging nettles!
> Maybe I'm a bee venom junkie. If I don't work the bees for a while, my
> knuckles swell and get stiff with arthritis. So I welcome, at least, the
> first couple stings to get limbered up. And I like to keep the swelling
> down, as that inflamation is what destroys the joints.
I hear various friend-of-a-friend stories about this. You seem
convinced that bee venom does indeed help control arthitis. Any others
on the list convinced?
Regards,
--
Gordon Scott [log in to unmask] 100332,3310 on CompuServe
Newsletter [log in to unmask] ditto
Beekeeper, Kendo Sandan, sometime sailor.
Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 5HP, UK
PS -- whilst this is still in my 'out tray'. True to my promise
to myself, the gloves were off today. One sting (back of a
little pinky) about 10 seconds after opening the first box, then
nothing. Very fews 'jumps' too -- I'm definitely getting my
confidence back. Thanks for your nice gentle encouragement ;-)
Right, now to continue with that spider phobia of mine.
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