Anaphylactic shock

[Karol]

Yes, and about 10,000 per year (world wide) killed by lighting.

And these people where not flying kites trying to get struck, unlike us beekeeprs who are flying the kite.

Get it in perspective people!

Relative risk just like any form of statistics can be interpreted in any number of ways. Assuming that the UK has 1% of the global population that would suggest that 100 people die each year in the UK from lightning strikes which just doesn't happen.

Our daily lives are full of risk whether that's walking down stairs, eating hard boiled sweets or crossing the road. The sensible thing is being aware and taking reasonable precautions so that one can continue to safely enjoy ones' pass time.

Regards,

Karol

 

[susbees]

Get it in perspective people!

Quite....there are at least 70 listed causes of Kounis syndrome due to an allergic reaction to assorted drugs and foodstuffs from shellfish to grass.

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Our daily lives are full of risk l

And then take statistics to the MAX, and you have the Darwin Awards


http://www.darwinawards.com/

 

[Karol]

Quite....there are at least 70 listed causes of Kounis syndrome due to an allergic reaction to assorted drugs and foodstuffs from shellfish to grass.

There is one significant difference here though. Hymenoptera venom has evolved to exploit mammalian biology and therefore the allergenic toxins are just that - toxins which have evolved to cause the effect. Foodstuffs and environmental challenges are 'accidental'.

To draw an analogy in microbiological terms, it's a bit like the difference between stepping out into the road and getting accidentally run over and having a car chase you down to run you over.

Anyway, I don't see how being made aware is anything but good if it means that people have the option to take what steps they feel they need to to stay safe.

Regards,

Karol

 

[louiseww]

Granted. I suggested Piriton instead of Chlorpheniramine 4mg because it's easier to remember. Also, it's important to understand that there are only two antihistamines out of the dozen or so which are on the market which are licensed for use in anaphylaxis, i.e. Chlorpheniramine and Promethazine. I think there is a danger that if people ask for a generic 'antihistamine' they might get the wrong one which is why I think it is important to be specific in this instance.

Hope this helps.

My allergy specialists (of which there have been many) have told me I can take between 8 and 12 mg (up to 3 tablets) of this if I have a severe reaction - the usual reaction is sleep afterwards, but that's not a bad thing after an severe allergic reaction. I have also been given it by injection in hospital after a severe reaction.

 

[Karol]

My allergy specialists (of which there have been many) have told me I can take between 8 and 12 mg (up to 3 tablets) of this if I have a severe reaction - the usual reaction is sleep afterwards, but that's not a bad thing after an severe allergic reaction. I have also been given it by injection in hospital after a severe reaction.

Another tip which might be useful is to chew the chlorpheniramine tablets before swallowing. They may taste foul but at least the chlorpheniramine will work more quickly.

Chlorpheniramine is available as a liquid but it's far less convenient.

Regards,

Karol

 

[MartinL]

Can I also add, using 112 on a mobile phone will allow the services to trace your phones location.

As will 999

 

[MartinL]

Yes, and about 10,000 per year (world wide) killed by lighting.

And these people where not flying kites trying to get struck, unlike us beekeeprs who are flying the kite.

Get it in perspective people!

N.B.
Only a fool would fly a kite in a thunderstorm.
Keeping bees when allergic to them? Likewise!

 

[MartinL]

I am also tired of this topic reappearing !
John Wilkinson

Aren't we all!!!

 

[Karol]

Just out of interest (and following up on a recently published medical paper) has anyone experienced pain, discomfort or tightness of the chest or pain or discomfort in the left arm or a head ache (described as a crown of pain around the head) following a bee sting (possibly up to 10 - 14 days after the sting)?

Regards,

Karol

 

[chris600uk]

epi pen to have one just in case or not.

I'm confused by all this.

I see carrying an epi-pen as a bit like putting on your seatbelt - or wearing a life jacket.
You never know when you're going to need it, and it does no harm while it's unused.

Are you all saying that it makes good sense to have an epi pen or not?

 

[oliver90owner]

I'm confused by all this.

It's simple really.

If one has a strong allergic reaction to a beesting or beestings it would be prudent to carry an epipen for use if required.

You don't take your seatbelt with you when you need a lifejacket. Horses for courses and all that, so what is the point of carrying an epipen if you don't need it?

 

[chris600uk]

epi pen to have one just in case or not.

I would have said that, unless you've had an allergic reaction already you don't know whether you need an epi pen or not until you are having a reaction, and you have no way of knowing in advance if it is likely to be fatal or not.


I appreciate that in the main, any reactions are likely to be mild to moderate and either don't need treatment or would respond to antihistamine's.

But.....I can see that there are enough stories about people who have died of Anaphylactic Shock after a bee sting who had no reason to suspect they were allergic,to suggest that having an epi pen would at the very least be prudent.

That's why I find all the responses so confusing.
I'd have thought it was obvious.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

 

[itma]

I see carrying an epi-pen as a bit like putting on your seatbelt - or wearing a life jacket.

I would have said that, unless you've had an allergic reaction already you don't know whether you need an epi pen or not until you are having a reaction, and you have no way of knowing in advance if it is likely to be fatal or not.

...I can see that there are enough stories about people who have died of Anaphylactic Shock after a bee sting who had no reason to suspect they were allergic,to suggest that having an epi pen would at the very least be prudent.

That's why I find all the responses so confusing.
I'd have thought it was obvious.

Maybe I'm missing something here.

Chris, welcome to the forum.
I do hope that you have other interests beyond this subject!

You may be missing the info that using an epipen on a random member of the population is not, itself, without risk.
Of death.

This is powerful prescription medicine - for those that need it.
It is not for general issue on a "just in case" basis, like a raincoat, or as you suggest, a lifejacket.

If you suspect that you could be (or worry that you might be) at risk of severe reaction, convince your Doctor to put you down for an allergy (RAST) test.
ADDED - Contrary to your assertion, there IS a way of telling whether you are at risk of a severe reaction.
If you should happen to show up as reacting severely, he'll likely want to check you over before prescribing an epipen.
Although a desensitisation course might well seem a better option - you'd be able to go out, say to the shops, without checking that you had your epipen in your pocket - which gets to be a bit of a pain after a while.

 

[Hivemaker.]

But.....I can see that there are enough stories about people who have died of Anaphylactic Shock after a bee sting who had no reason to suspect they were allergic,to suggest that having an epi pen would at the very least be prudent.

Would this be only for beekeepers,or just about or everyone on the planet do you rekon?

 

[Poly Hive]

I had an odd reaction to a sting last year and approached my GP re an Eppi pen and was point blank told no.

She thought they were more dangerous than the sting. Ho hum...

However to be fair it was the first time I had had an odd reaction from just one from thousands of stings so I (hope) she took that into account.

PH

 

[chris600uk]

Chris, welcome to the forum.
I do hope that you have other interests beyond this subject!

Thank you, and yes, this is only incidental.

You may be missing the info that using an epipen on a random member of the population is not, itself, without risk.

No
Anyway, thanks for all your answers.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I had an odd reaction to a sting last year and approached my GP re an Eppi pen and was point blank told no.

Did I read somewhere on here that Ibuprofen can cause a bad reaction to a sting?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Did I read somewhere on here that Ibuprofen can cause a bad reaction to a sting?

Yes.

 

[victor meldrew]

Did I read somewhere on here that Ibuprofen can cause a bad reaction to a sting?

PH should change his GP
VM