First Sting...

[GJUK]

... And I did not die, so I am on to a winner.
However I seems to have come out in a rash around my neck 5 minutes or so after the event.

I was told how to deal with a sting, I did not act upon this advice; panic set in trying not to drop the frame I was holding and I rubbed on the sting area.

I'll get in to the docs to be tested, damn it hurt though

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Wait til half your face swells up and eye shuts hehe
Take a couple o piriton and make sure there is someone around in case of anaphylaxis

 

[BeeJayBee]

I was told how to deal with a sting, I did not act upon this advice; panic set in trying not to drop the frame I was holding and I rubbed on the sting area.

I think what you did was perfectly normal! It's easy to talk about how deal with a sting when you're sitting in a room with a load of other people, but in an apiary on your own it's a different matter.

Good idea to carry some antihistamine with you for next time. Pop a tablet under your tongue, it helps them work more quickly.

 

[Cussword]

I think what you did was perfectly normal! It's easy to talk about how deal with a sting when you're sitting in a room with a load of other people, but in an apiary on your own it's a different matter.

Good idea to carry some antihistamine with you for next time. Pop a tablet under your tongue, it helps them work more quickly.

I always have ceterezine with me. Oh, and SWMBO.

 

[madasafish]

Asda sell a 1% hydocortisone sting cream. http://tinyurl.com/zfgl3ec

I give it to beginners# on their first stings.. It's very effective if used immediately.

# and Mrs Madasafish who has been stung 3 times in a week by my bees after zero stings in the previous five years. Not amused. Hive re-queened.

 

[BernardBlack]

Got stung earlier for the first. Quite sore. No signs of anything abnormal yet.

Someone mentioned taking a Piriton. I happened to take an anti-histamine tablet earlier today (before sting) for my hayfever (a 24 hour tablet). If one of these were already in my system, would that help if I did then get stung? Or would I need to take something extra when stung?

 

[snelgrove]

Got stung earlier for the first. Quite sore. No signs of anything abnormal yet.

Someone mentioned taking a Piriton. I happened to take an anti-histamine tablet earlier today (before sting) for my hayfever (a 24 hour tablet). If one of these were already in my system, would that help if I did then get stung? Or would I need to take something extra when stung?

I wuld imagine the antihistamine in your system would mask any true effects of the sting. Normally it isn't necessary to take anything when stung, unless there is a sensitivity to bee venom.

 

[BernardBlack]

Stung 2 days ago. Really itchy now. Anything handy I could put on it?

 

[Karsal]

Stung 2 days ago. Really itchy now. Anything handy I could put on it?

Anthisan Cream does alleviate the soreness and itching a little

 

[Poly Hive]

On one level I have to laugh.

If you go to sea you expect to get wet and salty, if your milk cows you will have to deal with a lot of cow poo and sometimes down your neck and if you keep bees you WILL get stung, it goes with the territory.

I take antihistamines for hay fever and always have in the season.

Stings can and do differ and your first few do need watching for odd reactions. Yes they hurt, and always will sorry to say.

So if you are going to keep bees and get stung would it not be just sensible to peruse the isles in Boots or your local chemist and possibly have a chat with the pharmacist so you have something handy to use on the sting site?

Surely it is common sense that somewhat rare thing, to have a tube in your bee box???

PH

 

[alldigging]

Stung 2 days ago. Really itchy now. Anything handy I could put on it?

I read a very hot damp cloth helps remove the itching.

 

[kighill]

Stung 2 days ago. Really itchy now. Anything handy I could put on it?

Try a little toothpaste.

 

[birdsandbees]

Word of advise to.. well, anyone, keep an eye on making sure you don't have any holes in your hood/veil and make sure you zip up properly, multiple stings to your neck and head isn't much fun

Won't make that mistake again!

 

[pargyle]

Many people (including me) find that stings on hands and arms tend be be less intensive the more stings you get. They always prick a bit when they first sting you and they can swell up a bit and then they itch ... when you first experience them the effects can last a couple of days but I now measure the effects on my hands an arms in hours.

The worst - by far and away - is a sting anywhere near your eyes, mouth or nose as these (even with me) cause swelling that really is quite unpleasant and can be very tender - and last a couple of days - promoting lots of mirth from those people you associate with - I've heard all the elephant man and quasi modo jokes !

I take hay fever tablets on a daily basis for my hay fever and this may help - I keep a tube of antihistamine cream in my bee box and the sooner you get that on the better if you do get stung. But the best things is (as you know) to scrape the sting off ASAP with your hive tool so the least amount of venom gets into your body.

Lastly, I am also very aware that a long term beekeeper I know, after many years of not being remotely bothered by bee stings, suffered a very serious reaction to a single bee sting last season and an ambulance had to be called and a shot of adrenalin administered. Not full blown anyphylaxis but the equivalent of a serious asthma attack.

He has now been prescribed an epipen to carry with him but it was a wake up call for all the beekeepers around him that considered themselves NOT to be affected by bee stings. It's always wise to let someone know where you are going to be with the bees and when you expect to be back if you are on your own and a mobile phone is a good addiition to your beekeeping kit.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Lastly, I am also very aware that a long term beekeeper I know, after many years of not being remotely bothered by bee stings, suffered a very serious reaction to a single bee sting last season and an ambulance had to be called and a shot of adrenalin administered. Not full blown anyphylaxis but the equivalent of a serious asthma attack.

He has now been prescribed an epipen to carry with him but it was a wake up call for all the beekeepers around him that considered themselves NOT to be affected by bee stings. It's always wise to let someone know where you are going to be with the bees and when you expect to be back if you are on your own and a mobile phone is a good addiition to your beekeeping kit.

That's a handy reminder, and having the phone in the inside pocket isn't a good idea if you need to get at it in a hurry!

 

[MartinL]

...I seems to have come out in a rash around my neck 5 minutes or so after the event.
. . . , damn it hurt though

Where were you stung?

Isn't your neck supposed to be inside your suit????

Investigate root cause & prevent recurrence, Simples!

 

[nantmoel]

I put E45 'Itch Relief' cream on mine - stops the itching.

 

[Angularity]

Where were you stung?

Isn't your neck supposed to be inside your suit????

Investigate root cause & prevent recurrence, Simples!

My forehead was inside my suit when was I stung. Unfortunately, so was the bee that stung me. Messed up the zips under my chin and left a little hole. Maybe I need to have a mirror in the shed.

 

[JWF]

I use a rolled up doing off a kitchen scourer under the Velcro flap, just to make sure that a gap isn't present.

Once bitten twice shy!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Yorkshire Beehives (sadly the firm is no more) used to have an excellent website with a lot of information about beekeeping. It had the immortal line YOU WILL GET STUNG! It also made mention of guard bees as SAS trained Ninja assassins.
Fair warning to prospective beekeepers