Anaphylactic shock

[Poly Hive]

I suspect the odds of AS are about the same as being hit by lightning on a golf course.

Are the courses empty? We all know there is a possibility and many a time I have scraped out a nasty sting and vaguely wondered if it was to be the "one" but you know? I still keep bees.

We are an odd lot us humans.

PH

 

[Madge]

... However I repeat that all bee keepers should be familiar with the necessary first aid practices. Many I speak to are not!
Dr Ex

I wouldn't know what to do! I long ago learned how to resuscitate somebody with a heart attack - but I can't rely on that to help somebody else, and that's probably not what's needed. So, who can help with advice about first aid for beekeepers? Perhaps our associations should arrange for training sessions in the 'necessary' first aid practices.

 

[Poly Hive]

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/#anaphylaxis

The problem here is time.

About the best reaction time I can hope for here is 20 minutes at best and more likely 30 and for the heather sites at least another 20 on top. I imagine many others are in the same situation or worse.

So. Given the medics are unwilling to hand out the infamous Eppi pens where does this leave us? Seems to me it's up the proverbial minus paddle.

PH

 

[Finman]

. So, who can help with advice about first aid for beekeepers? .

My beekeeper friend is very allergic to venom. He has always snake bite package with him, when he handles hives. And he is ready to drive to hospital if he feels so.

And how to prevent stings.... Keep only calm queens. Nothing native and local.

 

[B+.]

And he is ready to drive to hospital if he feels so.

And how to prevent stings.... Keep only calm queens. Nothing native and local.

He wouldn't be able to drive.
If you need an epipen, it's a medical emergency. Don't even think of driving!

 

[For want of a better word]

My beekeeper friend is very allergic to venom. He has always snake bite package with him, when he handles hives. And he is ready to drive to hospital if he feels so****.

And how to prevent stings.... Keep only calm queens. Nothing native and local.

OK .. Maybee in the Frozen Tundra.... believe whichever farie tale you want to............ if in shock, casualty can hardly stand... let alone drive a car!!!


Adrenaline is a treatment for shock.... to increase blood pressure.
Gives time for the medics to get to the casualty.... not a panacea for the odd little swelling.

Advice we have been given is ... following a sting reaction..... 2 prescribed antihistamine... if casualty goes into shock... use one Eppipen..... dial 999 say anaphylaxis give postcode/ address..... emergency call handler will stay on the phone until ambulance arrives... will advise if no improvement to give 2nd Eppipen.
Paramedics will give intravenous steroids/ fluids............... and stabilise casualty until delivered to A&E

This is for someone who has already been diagnosed with the allergy..

Best advice is not to get stung... even the calmest bees can sting!

I wonder if DrX could put together a locked stikkie that can be cut and pasted into every post that says " I can get an Eppipen... on line"!!


Mytten da

 

[Brian Bush]

Nobody thinks it will it will ever happen .... until it does.

Yes It does. We have had 3 association members suffer AS it the past 4 years. One only survived because her husband was at home and not left for his golf.
AS is no laughing matter. I have had it twice in my life in reaction to drugs. As a child I had a reaction to a strain of tetanus injection, fortunately no longer in use and 10 years ago I took an annadin tablet containing aspirin and codeine and suffered. Fortunately bee stings have not had unusual reactions with me to date. We should all be wary and take whatever precautions possible.
On warning signs we have to be careful. Signs saying danger or caution are to be discouraged. It is better to say honey bees at work or protective clothing should be worn.

 

[For want of a better word]

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water.... more people killed by these than honey bees!

Mytten da

 

[Poly Hive]

Indeed it is not funny our Treasurer has had to give up after a couple of very nasty incidents.

However it still begs the question what can the individual do? We cannot here rely on professional help arriving in time. Nor seemingly can we get the pens ourselves so I repeat..........up creek...

PH

 

[drex]

I suggest that anybody interested has a look at
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/what...MIxvPV1t_62AIVYbftCh3nEQ6SEAAYASAAEgKCfvD_BwE.

The important thing is that the reaction affects more than " one body system". I.e. Is a systemic reaction rather than a local reaction. For example swelling and redness in the site of the sting is a local reaction. A sting on the face can produce swelling of the whole of the face but this is still a local reaction.

The site gives good sound advice. For bee keepers, the first thing to do is to put a cover over the open hive, just a crown board will do. Then remove yourself from the vicinity of the bees - this will protect any " rescuers" .

Note that anxiety and panic can mimic several of the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a medical condition. Definitive diagnosis should be made by a trained medic. Epipens are prescription only medication. I always have antihistamine tablets ( non prescription) in the pocket of my bee suit, to give any visitors who may be stung and who are worried. One or two tablets allowed to dissolve under the tongue. As to which to buy, ask a professional - your local pharmacist

 

[madasafish]

Although of course AS is very serious I was told by a professor in the field that bee AND wasp stings only accounted for an average of 4 deaths in the U.K. per year and only about 40 in the US?

He also said that the problem with Epipens is that they have an 18 moth use by date so the prescription would have to be ongoing.

My A&E doctor friend said £300 each as well..so no longer stocked by A&E in any quantity.. (she also mentioned a six month shelf life??)

 

[Hivemaker.]

My A&E doctor friend said £300 each as well..so no longer stocked by A&E in any quantity

They could buy them online for about £45 and save a lot of money.

 

[drex]

From my copy of MIMS ( the prescribers bible) in 2012 an epipen cost just under £27. The she,f life is short, I think 18 months would be pushing it. No A&E would use epipens going for straight injection of adrenalin , the active constituent (40p).
Epipens are auto injectors designed for use by a non trained person.
Adrenalin is a potent drug and not to be used lightly, with multiple adverse effects, even precipitating a heart attack, irregular heart beats and even death.
In 40 years of medicine I have had to use adrenaline ( in combination with other drugs) to treat anaphylactic shock, only once. Even being trained with many years of experience under my belt it was a hairy experience.
LEAVE IT TO THOSE TRAINED.
I will post no more on this topic.

 

[MartinL]

My A&E doctor friend said £300 each as well..so no longer stocked by A&E

Sound more like some disgruntled pinko-medic talking through their bottom again?

Anaphylaxis is a medical condition. Definitive diagnosis should be made by a trained medic. Epipens are prescription only medication.

Years ago now, I asked a pharmacist friend if I could et one for my first aid kit.
The answer was a definite NO F.... WAY! Closely followed by a thorough explanation of why.
So I accepted her qualified advice.

During 12 years in the forces we had access to Morphine, Atropine, Diazepam
& other nasties but Never Epinephrine!

If you drive into town and check out the dingy corners you'll find people selling all sorts of controlled drugs but why would anyone but a fool want to?
It's the same with an Epipen.

Maybe it's because I don't follow the ACTORS on HR or Casualty but I accept Advice when it comes from a qualified expert.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My A&E doctor friend said £300 each as well

They could buy them online for about £45 and save a lot of money.

Or just not make a cosy little PFI deal with Carillion in the first place.
Apparently it also costs £300.00 to change a light bulb in many hoispitals as they have to get Carillion or Virgin in to do it

 

[Poly Hive]

Many thanks for your input Drex.

Just a shame about the cheap shots above.

Someone have a word please.

PH