Swellings getting worse after stings

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hi...I am new since May...Have had stings in inspections etc as follows:

1 May
1 May
6 June
1 July
1 August (just happened yesterday)

The first two passed by unnoticed. However the '6' event in June caused significant swelling in all areas and since then the 1 in July and now the one yesterday swelled up even more. I had read that getting the odd sting was good for building tolerance but I seem to be getting less so.

So the next part of my question is what suggestions. Obviously I try removing sting as quickly as possible. I rubbed toothpaste which seemed to sooth. Now I am in maddening itch phase because of the swollen skin.

Any suggestion? Oral antihistamines?

Thanks in advance,

JP

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hi...I am new since May...Have had stings in inspections etc as follows:

1 May
1 May
6 June
1 July
1 August (just happened yesterday)

The first two passed by unnoticed. However the '6' event in June caused significant swelling in all areas and since then the 1 in July and now the one yesterday swelled up even more. I had read that getting the odd sting was good for building tolerance but I seem to be getting less so.

So the next part of my question is what suggestions. Obviously I try removing sting as quickly as possible. I rubbed toothpaste which seemed to sooth. Now I am in maddening itch phase because of the swollen skin.

Any suggestion? Oral antihistamines?

Thanks in advance,

JP

You may be in a minority if you can log your stings Don't forget that some stings have more potency than others and pain is the intended effect. The swelling, and itching are normal reaction.
Time to start worrying if other symptoms develop but you can find these discussed in detail via the forum search facility.

 

[oliver90owner]

significant swelling in all areas-

Expand? Not sure what you mean by that phrase.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

"Don't forget that some stings have more potency than others and pain is the intended effect. The swelling, and itching are normal reaction."

No issue with pain and swelling but this swelling is pretty painful and has blown up through my whole forearm. MY question is really how to alleviate it as best I can.

Had a read and hrydrocortisone seems highly recommended. Wondering if other beeks had suggestions for "large normal reactions".

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Sorry...poor grammar...I meant significant swelling in all areas in which I was stung. For example yesterday was on the wrist and my whole arms is up. July was on the tummy and that went up. etc

 

[dexter's shed]

maybe you should also look into how you are handling your bees, I've kept bees for around 3yrs and to date, received four stings, you seem to be getting more in a year

 

[madasafish]

ASDA Hydrocortisone 1% Bite & Sting Relief Cream

http://tinyurl.com/p7jsr6y

works wonders..

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I vote for showing the OP a bit of concern; on the evidence you have presented so far I ask you to please be careful. A large sting event can trigger sensitivity so your progression raises questions. As O90O says, please elaborate on the nature of the systemic reaction. (At least, I assume that's what he was getting at.)

 

[Swarm]

Sounds similar to the reaction I get. Unless you are allergic, you generally do ok with the first but then subsequent stings can be altogether different. I received one between my fingers and another to the back of my wrist earlier this year and the swelling reached my elbow, I couldn't bend my index finger and the skin looked like it would pop. The swelling goes down after a few days and it itches but that's better than the dull throb. Sometimes a new sting causes a reaction at an old sting site, on other occasions stings have caused no reaction worth noting, I think it's a bit of a lottery or how much they 'mean it'.
I would suggest you try to be a bit more sting proof to avoid being stung, if only for the rest of this season. Some take an antihistamine before inspecting, just in case, you could give that a try.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

@Swarm - Great reply, thanks. Will cover up a bit more and see how I go. Am researching Antihistamine. Benedryl seems the favourite. Thanks again.

 

[nantmoel]

I have had a few stings this year and they have caused swelling, I went to the doctors the morning after one on the face, it closed my eye! He gave me Antihistamine and Steroid tablets, he said use the Antihistamine first and if they don't work use the Steroid's. I then took a full belter on my little finger (I think I had trapped the bee between the hive tool and the frame I was holding) by god it hurt, intact made me drop the hive tool. The swelling woke me up in the night same as you I though my finger was going to explode. To be honest the Antihistamine does stop the itching, but it take two days for any swelling with me to start to go down, I find ice helps. I'm hoping I will build an immunity towards them. But do keep an eye on things and I ALWAY carry Antihistamine in my bee keeping box.

 

[Swarm]

I'm not the best when it comes to tablets, and medicines but I'll usually have a Piriton/generic eqivalent and maybe follow up later, or more likely decide the wine was a better idea. Still, the best advice is to try to limit the number of stings you take, there are so many variables and so many other contributary factors like medication, etc (beginning to wonder about food additives and the like) it has to be a sound approach.

 

[dpearce4]

generic is as good as piriton and much cheaper. take a 1 a day in the morning before you go to your bees to give it a chance to work and a few days after until the swelling goes down and you should be fine.

dexters shed please could you be constructive about this. Im better than you doesn't help the OP. Thanks.

 

[chrismcd]

Few more suggestions

I find that the impact of a sting depends on a number of factors.

1) How much venom gets injected.

I try and make sure I have at least one layer of clothing/gloves in the way - it significantly reduces the amount of venom that can be injected.

If you do get a sting stuck into your skin remove it by scraping rather than squeezing - and do it quickly if you can do so safely.

Try not to trap bees between your fingers - or elbows (note to self try harder!)

2) Some skin is more sensitive.

I get stung through marigold gloves into my hands frequently. The effect is less than that of a nettle sting - but enough to make me try and improve my technique.

If I get stung on the 'inside' of my forearm, I know that it will be swollen for days. I am told that if you get stung on the face it is spectacular - so take extra care to do up your face protection.

3) Try different sting treatments.

I take an antihistamine tablet if I reckon I have been stung somewhere sensitive. I find Afterbit very good if put onto the sting site within about 10 minutes. Antihistamine creams seem barely homeopathic in my experience, but WaspEze spray is good.

4) You seem to be getting stung a lot

As someone else has commented, you seem to be getting stung more than is enjoyable - I would really not be keen to be stung on the 'tummy'. Can I suggest a full overall suit?

Also, are you minimising the risk of 'alerting' your bees while working on them? Do you take care to keep down-sun and down-wind, use judicious amounts of smoke and water sprays etc. to keep them distracted and unaware of your presence?

I used to work with an expert and was always amazed by how long it took for the bees to realise that they were being inspected!

 

[BeeJayBee]

generic is as good as piriton and much cheaper. take a 1 a day in the morning before you go to your bees to give it a chance to work and a few days after until the swelling goes down and you should be fine.

I tend to take antihistamine (the generic, non-drowsy, ones from Superdrug) before inspecting, or before going to collect a swarm, as a precaution. It does take the edge off a sting. I've also found, this year, that 'After Bite' works.

"Don't forget that some stings have more potency than others and pain is the intended effect. The swelling, and itching are normal reaction."

No issue with pain and swelling but this swelling is pretty painful and has blown up through my whole forearm. MY question is really how to alleviate it as best I can.

Had a read and hrydrocortisone seems highly recommended. Wondering if other beeks had suggestions for "large normal reactions".

If I get stung on my fingers they swell up quite alarmingly. It made me realise how potentially dangerous rings might be, so had mine resized. If I get stung on the wrist then my whole forearm swells, it isn't nice but I know it's normal for me. Treatment, for me, if I get stung on the fingers or wrist is to take more antihistamine and use an icepack as well as doing my best to keep the arm above head height, which can reduce the swelling.

You're in your first year of beekeeping and have only been stung 5 times. It isn't unusual, and I don't think it's at all bad. As you get more experienced with handling bees you're likely to be stung less often.

Adding to what others have already said, it is worth checking that what you're wearing is giving adequate protection whilst at the same time not getting in the way, or causing you to squash bees.

Make sure your gloves aren't too big. ... I know some very experienced beekeepers who always wear long gloves with the extra bit of fabric that covers the wrists as well as sleeve protectors. I can imagine this would be quite warm, but all those layers mean a sting is unlikely to reach the skin.

Make sure your outer clothing is adequate and loose-fitting. ... I know some experienced beekeepers who double up with clothing - wearing an old veil-less suit beneath a newer smock. They wear a belt round the smock to make absolutely sure no bees can move upwards.

Try to remember to wash clothing or gloves if you're stung, the pheromones can linger and aggravate bees during the next inspection.

 

[madasafish]

You're in your first year of beekeeping and have only been stung 5 times. It isn't unusual, and I don't think it's at all bad. As you get more experienced with handling bees you're likely to be stung less often.

.

I wish!

 

[PaulCarroll]

I think all the advice given is valid and based on painful experience. Like most responders I too have been stung due to either my own lack of attention or through lack of proper preparation. I now always wear a long sleeved shirt or short beekeeping jacket under my bee suit and also thicker trousers such as tracksuit bottoms under my suit. Both are designed to add layered protection for arms, legs and body as I once got stung on the belly as I bent to pick up and replace a super not noticing the bee in a crease of the suit on my stomach. Once I had trapped her against my belly she stung me through my suit and the light T shirt I was wearing below. Having also had a bee inside my veil ( an unpleasant feeling given ears and eyes are so vulnerable) due to failing to zip up tightly, I now always get my wife to check the zips for me before I begin inspections. I think some will rubbish the next suggestion, but I always try to time my inspections to coincide with my wife being present as not only can she help and is another pair of eyes in the process, but she is another person present in case of an untoward illness or incident whilst carrying out manipulation so with my colonies. I do not anticipate never being stung but I do all I can to ensure I limit the risk and whilst overdressing on a really warm day can be a pain it certainly reduces stings getting through to the skin with the subsequent discomforts described.

 

[Swarm]

I wouldn't dream of rubbishing that last bit of advice Paul, having assistance can help considerably with clumsiness and those times you wish you had three hands and above all, help if something goes wrong.

As for stings to the stomach, one of just two stings last year and she flew up my T shirt, one of a few that came home with the crop. That would register as almost zero on the reaction scale.
Ankles and shins, now that's pain!

 

[Rock_Chick]

Also a point with noting is any bacteria on the skin will cause swelling as well as the sting as it gets pushed under the skin with the sting.

 

[James.maddison]

I seem to be one of the people who swell up quite a lot after being stung. My concern is what if I got stung on my throat or mouth it would restrict my breathing. My wife is nagging me to get rid of the bees as she is a bit of a worrier. Anyone had any experience of being stung in these areas?

I really don't want to get rid of my bees!