A friend of mine was recently relieved to be told by her doctor (a new
doctor) that she was NOT "allergic" to bees, that it was simply a topical
reaction to the venom.  She had been wanting to keep bees for twenty years,
but had been stopped by her doctor telling her she had an "allergic" reaction
to stings.  Finally having ranchland for a bee yard, she asked her doctor
if carrying a bee-sting kit would allow her to keep bees.  After some questions
on the original diagnosis of "allergic" (which dated back to her family
doctor when she was a teenager), he told her she wasn't allergic at all.
She just about jumped for joy!
 
I recall reading somewhere, once, that bee venom is very close to rattlesnake
venom, in its components.  Anyone else encounter this?  Does it have any
basis?  (Ever hear anyone say they're allergic to rattlesnakes? ;-) )
 
Jane B.  [[log in to unmask]]