In a message dated 7/15/00 4:55:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Concerning the idea that beekeepers who have quit and not been stung in
many
 years are at greater risk than if they hadn't been beekeepers in the first
 place, I cannot say whether or not this is true.  I would tend to think that
it
 isn't, but I am far from an expert in this area, particularly since this is
the
 first time I have heard this theory.  I would think that one would return to
a
 level of localized reaction that they experienced before beginning beekeeping
 and developing a tolerance to venom, but I can't imagine why you would have a
 worse response because you were once tolerant.  Anyone on the list have any
 input? >>

Hello Wendy and  Friends again,
I have started keeping bees again after a lapse of 20 years.  I use the bees
for apitherapy.  I started my treatments with one sting, which had a fair
reaction, which I would call normal (swelling and itching).  I followed up
with 2 stings the next day, then 4 stings the following day.  I used this
progression cautiously in order to avert a possible serious reaction.  I had
my full immunity back in 7 days.  I have worked up to 15 or 20 stings per
session.

My bee keeping/apitherapy partner (never previously exposed to bee stings)
took about 6 weeks to develop his local reaction immunity.  When I speak of
immunity, I am saying that the area surrounding the beestings does not swell
much at all and there is no residual itching afterwards, on either of us.  We
leave the stings in for at least 30 minutes, to get the maximum dosage.

We have had some periods of time where we have not been able to get our
stings for two or three weeks and then we will have a slightly greater
reaction.  I believe we are evidencing a loss of immunity with the passage of
time.  If we get our stings every week, there is almost no discernible
reaction.

Bob Bassett