Allergy question.

[MMJ100]

Dear Beeks,

I have been keeping bees in my 3,000 sq meter garden for 3 years.

At the start of the year had 5 hives - I have now got 8 colonies. I am not a good beekeeper and should, I am sure, have prevented the swarming that lead to the increase in my number of colonies. However I captured each of the 3 new swarms and hived them, without getting stung. I have never been stung when carrying out normal bee keeping activities, except once when I took my glove off to take a photo.

This is not the issue but to set the scene.

I have been stung badly three times. Other stings through my suit or otherwise seem to have had no reaction. However these three times I have had a seriously increased reaction each time. My symptoms have included (a) swelling lips when bitten on foot, and (b) a swollen face and lips as well as hives/welts on my neck and chest when stung on the eyelid. All these 3 stings occurred when I was close to but not in front of the hive entrance, i.e. when I was gardening or moving something to the area. For example the last sting was when a bee got between my eye and my glasses. On that occasion, I was about 2 meters beside and behind the hive entrance and, at the time, hive activity was quite normal. I believe I got stung by a returning bee that bumped into me by accident.

As a result of this sting on my lower eyelid, and of the symptoms (swollen lips, welts, as mentioned above), which were much worse than my reaction to the previous stings, I went to the Doctor to get an allergy test. I already have an anapen. The result has come up as a serious allergy (18.20 KAU/L). (am in France so this may be a french measurement)

I have read many threads on this and other forums and copious articles, most deal with reactions or bad reactions to stings. Many Beeks seem to say be strong you will get used to it. I find myself believing the medical articles and my chemist who say that as I am highly allergic that it will not get better but each sting could produce a worse reaction until fatality. I also feel that it is going to be a case of confidence. They say that the bees smell fear?? I have not gone near the hives since my last sting, so my bees are being sadly neglected.

In a nutshell, I do not want to give up my bees (though I know that 8 hives is too many), but according to everything I have read and all the medical opinion I should seriously consider this.

I would appreciate what advise the forum would give me. I also set out the detail in order to share my experiences.

Thank you in advance for your helpful comments

Michael

 

[pipewrench36]

I feel it would be a great shame to give up a hobby you enjoy, (especially bee keeping). I have a beek friend who is in the same situation as you and she has embarked on a desensitising programme through the NHS. I don't know if they have a similar set up in France, but it is worth investigating. Good luck.

 

[oliver90owner]

Michael,

I'm not 'medical' by any means, but it seems like it is time to give up beekeeping

Unless you are using other drugs (ibuprofen per eg) which may exacerbate the problem.

Your bees may not be as good temperered as they were in earlier previous generations.

I have this problem at the moment - they investigate me and will sting if I remain in the area. There is no problem other than when alarmed by my close presence, but they will be moved to an out apiary soonest, and replaced by some of my more docile bees.

Last year these same colonies did not sting me at all throughout the whole season, but they are changing temperament slowly. One colony was moved away at the start of the season for this reason.

I, too, often swell up when stung - but locally and not in remote parts of my anatomy as you!

You are bound to get stings occasionally, even if only by accidental reasons.

You will not be a beekeeper if the reaction turns out to be fatal.

Not a decision I would like to take but in some cases it is better to 'bite the bullet' than risk 'biting the dust'.

Regards, RAB

 

[Noustie]

Wise words

 

[louiseww]

Dear Beeks,

I have been keeping bees in my 3,000 sq meter garden for 3 years.

At the start of the year had 5 hives - I have now got 8 colonies. I am not a good beekeeper and should, I am sure, have prevented the swarming that lead to the increase in my number of colonies. However I captured each of the 3 new swarms and hived them, without getting stung. I have never been stung when carrying out normal bee keeping activities, except once when I took my glove off to take a photo.

This is not the issue but to set the scene.

I have been stung badly three times. Other stings through my suit or otherwise seem to have had no reaction. However these three times I have had a seriously increased reaction each time. My symptoms have included (a) swelling lips when bitten on foot, and (b) a swollen face and lips as well as hives/welts on my neck and chest when stung on the eyelid. All these 3 stings occurred when I was close to but not in front of the hive entrance, i.e. when I was gardening or moving something to the area. For example the last sting was when a bee got between my eye and my glasses. On that occasion, I was about 2 meters beside and behind the hive entrance and, at the time, hive activity was quite normal. I believe I got stung by a returning bee that bumped into me by accident.

As a result of this sting on my lower eyelid, and of the symptoms (swollen lips, welts, as mentioned above), which were much worse than my reaction to the previous stings, I went to the Doctor to get an allergy test. I already have an anapen. The result has come up as a serious allergy (18.20 KAU/L). (am in France so this may be a french measurement)

I have read many threads on this and other forums and copious articles, most deal with reactions or bad reactions to stings. Many Beeks seem to say be strong you will get used to it. I find myself believing the medical articles and my chemist who say that as I am highly allergic that it will not get better but each sting could produce a worse reaction until fatality. I also feel that it is going to be a case of confidence. They say that the bees smell fear?? I have not gone near the hives since my last sting, so my bees are being sadly neglected.

In a nutshell, I do not want to give up my bees (though I know that 8 hives is too many), but according to everything I have read and all the medical opinion I should seriously consider this.

I would appreciate what advise the forum would give me. I also set out the detail in order to share my experiences.

Thank you in advance for your helpful comments

Michael

As someone who carries an epipen herself and is allergic to wasp stings and endless other things but so far not bees - I have every sympathy.
You know that you should be taking this seriously - have you ever had to use the epipen? It is not a pleasant experience and sometimes only lasts for about half an hour, so you need to be near a hospital. Anaphylactic shock can kill.
On the positive side there are ways to avoid being stung when beekeeping, but bees in the garden that attack there is no avoidance.
I always wear two or three pairs of nitrile gloves and always wear other clothes under my beek gear because they can sting through many of the suits etc.
If this happened to me I am afraid I would give up as your life is far more important unless you can move the bees to an apiary and get a partner to help each time you attend them - with lots of extra layers of clothes.
Best
Louise

 

[MMJ100]

Pipewrench, Thank you I am looking into desensitising and also somewhere to park the bees with a friend etc
Oliver, hi hi thank you too for your wise words and amusing words am not ready to bite the dust !! I know you are right but want to do my best for something i have loved doing and also for my bees - So a good home may be the answer.
Louis, No I have not actually used epipen and i am mostly alone here and not too close to a hospital. this is an important issues too.
Will be seeing my doctor in the next day or so

Michael

 

[Moggs]

Michael. A difficult decision and I do hope that you can find a way through, while still tending your bees. It is perhaps better to follow medical advice especialy regarding your diagnosis and outlook that the reactions may not get easier. However, is there a possibility of handing the direct care of your bees to a 'stand-in' beekeeper? You could then observe and avoid the direct 'line of fire' while having somebody to keep an eye on you too.

 

[drstitson]

According to our local immunology specialist desensitisation for bee sting allergy is the most successful they offer - >90% success rate.

of course all beeks having the treatment get told to stop keeping bees too BUT none follow the advice.

 

[milkermel]

of course all beeks having the treatment get told to stop keeping bees too BUT none follow the advice.

will give the reputation that all beeks are stubborn bunch of watsits!!

You say you are looking to re site them, could you also have a bee buddy?? someone willing to do the work with you to allow you to not be quite so hands on? maybe even someone who has done course but doesnt have the meens to start up yet?

Personally I would have jumped at that sort of chance a few years back rather than doing the deep end thing the way I did

 

[Dishmop]

If this happened to me I am afraid I would give up as your life is far more important unless you can move the bees to an apiary and get a partner to help each time you attend them - with lots of extra layers of clothes.
Best
Louise

expanding on the above a bit..... for somebody who has a problem with stings it might be sensible to have somebody with you anyway...........even 100 metres from the nearest person could be fatal... your epipen is in your trouser pocket and you have zipped your suit up over the top......cant get your gloves off... etc etc.
One of the first posts I read on this forum last year was from somebody who had not had much of a problem before,, but had been stung (on legs, ankle??) and collaped in his garden...spent time on hospital etc...

 

[Headnavigator]

As an aside to this - someone on this forum suggested that if you are only mildly reactive it is worth taking a Piriton or similar half an hour before doing inspections etc. I'd just like to thank them because I would never have thought of doing so, and now I can garden after beek activities without getting the usual painful hives/red bumps all over my arms from nettles, cleavers, juniper etc. that used to be a necessary but unpleasant part of my gardening life.

 

[Worldsend]

My grandad had to give up beekeeping as symptoms started to get worse each time he was stung -last time resulting in temporary blindness.

I wear loads of layers ,take tablets and still get localised reaction when on occasion one of the little dears sting me

 

[AndreaW]

will give the reputation that all beeks are stubborn bunch of watsits!!

You say you are looking to re site them, could you also have a bee buddy?? someone willing to do the work with you to allow you to not be quite so hands on? maybe even someone who has done course but doesnt have the meens to start up yet?

Personally I would have jumped at that sort of chance a few years back rather than doing the deep end thing the way I did

That is what I am currently doing - only just started my practical course but am looking after/learning a local man's hives because he is allergic to bee stings. It can be done - however that doesn't solve the problem of the bees stinging you when out in the garden

 

[MMJ100]

Milkermel,
You and the others have been wonderful and thank you all, I value your support.
You will never guess what happened tonight. My friend and beekeeper in my village came around for a little scotch ( the French love scotch) to discuss my problem.
He has offered to take my hives to his "field" where he has a few hives. We can go there together and learn from and help each other. So I will not have them in my garden and I will always have some one with me. We decided that we would both benefit from this arrangement and my french will improve as well.
This is not the end of the story but it is a step in the right direction. I will still need to go through the medical thingy. But to night with all of your good comments and my friend Guy I feel that my bees and I may still have a life together.
Am feeling somewhat emotional - forgive me, some comments have indicated how stubborn beeks can be - perhaps I am showing these signs hi hi
Thank you and tell you how it goes later

thanks Michael

 

[Poly Hive]

Well done and bon voyage....both you and the bees....

PH

 

[susbees]

Good luck indeed Michael....and hope you can sort desensitization. The French health system leaves ours far behind....

 

[freethorpe bees]

The French health system leaves ours far behind....

it certainly does!

Good luck to you Michael, tis nice to hear of a happy ending

 

[MMJ100]

A little update.
My friend and I moved all my hives. It was a big job for us.
They are now in lovely wild lavender country above Grasse.
I had no stinging problems having exercised extreme care.

We will together go to see thme next week and i will be seeing the doctor
Thank you ervetybody
Michael

 

[isc26]

Be very cautious, the beekeeper who lived next to my parents had been getting increasingly sensitive to stings but carried on.

Had an epipen on hand to prevent severe reaction. To cut a sad story short he never made it to his car with the pen in.

 

[Chris Luck]

The French health system leaves ours far behind....

Maybe a bit of thread drift but if you paid in the UK what we pay in France in Health care contributions the NHS would be light years ahead of France AND incidentally the Health service in France has incredible debts, plus it shouldn't be forgotten that a private top up insurance is required here to cover 30% of most doctors visits, hospitalisation etc except for the most serious life threatening illnesses.

If it was me Michael, (and I'm very stubborn and foolhardy), I would quit with those reactions but if you can 'keep' your bees with someone else it's a good compromise.

Good luck,
Chris