My beekeeping days may be over

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Not sure if it's been mentioned or is actually relevant. One of the senior members at my association said that every case of severe reaction he had witnessed was where the sting was near the head or neck. He made sure that we had our Veils securely fastened. He wondered if the proximity of the sting to the brain meant that the bee venom was stronger. It just stuck in my memory about it. As I say, there is nothing scientific about it but just an observation by a senior member.

As a medical man, I would suggest that there is less soft tissue over the head and face, hence any swelling will have less space to go into, hence will swell outwards more and appear a " stronger" reaction. I have been stung on the crown of my head once. Hurt like hell, and I do not normally react to stings
 
As a medical man, I would suggest that there is less soft tissue over the head and face, hence any swelling will have less space to go into, hence will swell outwards more and appear a " stronger" reaction. I have been stung on the crown of my head once. Hurt like hell, and I do not normally react to stings

I can understand about the lack of soft tissue on the top of the head but I was stung under the eye and my whole face swelled up, closing one eye for a couple of days. Before, and subsequently, I have been stung many times on other parts of my body with little effect. At my age I have acres of soft tissue on my face and the bee venom managed to cause swelling in all of it. Might I posit the the possibility that it is precisely the opposite and that the more soft tissue there is, the worse the swelling?
 
I have been stung between the eyes in my ear hole and on my hands with no swelling what so ever..the stings i have taken on my legs do not swell they just go a little red and itchy for a day and then vanish.

A lot of people don't realise that they can become sensitized to bee venom even though they have been fine for years
 
I can understand about the lack of soft tissue on the top of the head but I was stung under the eye and my whole face swelled up, closing one eye for a couple of days. Before, and subsequently, I have been stung many times on other parts of my body with little effect. At my age I have acres of soft tissue on my face and the bee venom managed to cause swelling in all of it. Might I posit the the possibility that it is precisely the opposite and that the more soft tissue there is, the worse the swelling?

Think of how pliable the tissue on the face is, so that we can make so many facial expressions, and that " pliability " will lead to increased swelling.
 
Reviving this older thread to add an update.

Still awaiting my referral, prob won’t be until September. Have carried on with the bees but bought a Sentinel suit which has been amazing. Put in some safety measures such as having someone with me. All has been fine.

Today however I had to inspect in poor weather because it couldn’t wait. Bees were a bit grumpy. Last frame, last hive...ZAP! Through the Sentinel glove which is s first.

Hive roof swiftly back on, no reaction, so kit taken to the car. No reaction, so got wife to drive to the main road. No reaction...

Bit of a swelling on my finger but even that has vanished. Took extra antihistamines as instructed by Dr, but I don’t think I needed them.

So still need to be cautious, but there is some hope! Ordered a new extractor to celebrate!

Again - this is my experience but if you have ANY systemic effect you MUST see a specialist
 
Good man well done....I hope the success continues.....if however you need to sell the new extractor i have a friend:willy_nilly:
 
Most painful place to have a sting is at the base of the Pe**is shaft... how on earth the research was carried out beggars belief,,, but is was in America

Daresay the so called beekeeper who claims to have been head floorsweeper in the premier apis laboratories USA can explain?

Dare I ask????
 
Most painful place to have a sting is at the base of the Pe**is shaft... how on earth the research was carried out beggars belief,,, but is was in America

Per normal misinformation from SW counties......Research was British Student...and it was inside of nose.
 
Having been stung in both areas I can safely say both will make you jump. 1 will result in an impressive swelling the other will lead to streaming eyes and sneezing
 
Most painful place to have a sting is at the base of the Pe**is shaft... how on earth the research was carried out beggars belief,,, but is was in America

Daresay the so called beekeeper who claims to have been head floorsweeper in the premier apis laboratories USA can explain?

Dare I ask????

Per normal misinformation from SW counties......Research was British Student...and it was inside of nose.

Amazing how such a little prick can cause so much distress
 
"Amazing how such a little prick can cause so much distress"

off to consult with the wife................
 
Damn and blast.

Indeed those first hits extract such reaction, verbally.
...then my nose started running, I developed hives on both arms and my chest.
Tingling in my face, which swelled a little.

AS kicks in fast, like snakebite quick... severe reactive is something else and can be
trained for, start with the hands and have water plus honey and/or aloeVera at hand.
Of course removing the sac and partial barb within 15seconds helps tremendously.

Without training it will be so you are forever more the slave of the beesuit, and yet
as you have discovered you will still get stung.... so it is pointless continuing in that vein.

Bill
 
Reviving this older thread to add an update.

Still awaiting my referral, prob won’t be until September. Have carried on with the bees but bought a Sentinel suit which has been amazing. Put in some safety measures such as having someone with me. All has been fine.

Today however I had to inspect in poor weather because it couldn’t wait. Bees were a bit grumpy. Last frame, last hive...ZAP! Through the Sentinel glove which is s first.

Hive roof swiftly back on, no reaction, so kit taken to the car. No reaction, so got wife to drive to the main road. No reaction...

Bit of a swelling on my finger but even that has vanished. Took extra antihistamines as instructed by Dr, but I don’t think I needed them.

So still need to be cautious, but there is some hope! Ordered a new extractor to celebrate!

Again - this is my experience but if you have ANY systemic effect you MUST see a specialist
Excellent..
 
Per normal misinformation from SW counties......Research was British Student...and it was inside of nose.

The research was carried out by Michael Smith at Cornell university.
He gave some amazing lectures at the National Honey Show last year (available online) mentioning the research on this subject. He's a very funny guy.
 
I haven't reacted to stings for a while but have avoided being stung for a couple of years. Got one on the wrist yesterday, ouch, good size swelling for a couple of hours! Ok today though so I guess I need a few more stings to build up some resistence again!
E
 
I haven't reacted to stings for a while but have avoided being stung for a couple of years. Got one on the wrist yesterday, ouch, good size swelling for a couple of hours! Ok today though so I guess I need a few more stings to build up some resistence again!
E

Was in your neck of the woods today - went to Ham Wall.
You have a lot of hawthorn in full bloom - your bees must be very happy, even if they sting!
 
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