After Desensitisation

[SimonGuy]

Hi, I developed extreme allergy to bee stings and following 2 analphylaxis events was fortunately put onto a Desensitising program which has just finished its 3 year program. I am quite interested to restart the beekeeping again but unsure about the wisdom in this.

Does anyone else have a similar experience or wisdom about such a return to beekeeping. I'd be grateful for any views. Thanks so much.

 

[Anduril]

https://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21905&highlight=Desensitisation
Dpearce4 is still beekeeping.

 

[Beefriendly]

Friend of mine went through this...then kept Italian bees for their gentleness, was fine for several years...then passed out after a sting and gave up beekeeping. Living was more important.
People all react differently, the only way forward is to do it and see what happens.

 

[SimonGuy]

Great thanks that's relay helpful to know. No matter how you prepare. a sting or two is inevitable.

 

[Beefriendly]

Should have mentioned he had taken the occasional sting before with no problem, but then one just tipped him over the edge again.
good luck.

 

[dpearce4]

I now react less that if stung by nettles or bitten by mozzies.

I'm now using washing up gloves now where as last year I was using full leather. I'm getting stung most weeks but then I have 40 colonies and some of them have behaviour issues that need dealing with.

If all things go well and I get the guts up I will go gloveless next year. But still carry epi pens and will always do so and also still carry out all the precautions I can to make it as safe as possible as you never know.

 

[Swarm]

If all things go well and I get the guts up I will go gloveless next year. But still carry epi pens and will always do so and also still carry out all the precautions I can to make it as safe as possible as you never know.

I have to ask, why?

 

[madasafish]

Lady in our Association had similar course of treatment. Finished two years ago.
Been happily beekeeping since then with "normal" protection - she kept keeping during course with extra protection.
She has no apparent issues at all.

>DPearce. Gloveless is fine but I put on gloves after 4-5 stings as despite Avon Skin So Soft after that number of stings they then become overwhelming - smell of stings attracts others as you know...

 

[thenovice]

Ask your doctor who was involved in the desensitization program? My gut feeling tells me it is probably best if you get stung regularly to keep your immune system trained? again, ask your doctor.

 

[dpearce4]

I have to ask, why?

Ask why? what?

the Epi Pens is due to still being allergic even though desensitised so there is still a small risk of major reaction.

gloveless as I feel it will give me the feel I really want with the bees, I hate the fact that even the best fitting gloves can get pulled down the fingers and end up with a bit getting stuck under the frames and that annoying the bees and me.