What an itch!!!!

[MrB]

Cetirizine Dihydrochloride 10mg,

Thanks

 

[Roy S]

What am I thinking? I must be insane

I suppose it has to happen one day, I think I've made it worse in my head and it probably isn't as bad as I've imagined. Funny though it isn't putting me off, maybe bee keepers have a few fear cells missing that the ordinary public have plenty of.

Why do these things get posted before I am due at a hive? All weekend I've been discussing laying workers and collecting swarms, then just before I am due at a hive, it's killed chickens and swollen hands........and daft old me clicks on this stuff lol

Off to the chemist tomorrow to buy aloe vera, calamine cream and I'm going to fill my ice cube tray, already got anti histamine tabs last week

When it finally happens you'll wonder what the fuss was all about I'll bet, when I first started keeping bees I'd never been stung at all, I just ended up building it up and up in my mind until it was way out of proportion. then the day came that one got me. It was sitting on armrest of the car when I got in after inspecting my apiary.....stung me underneath my arm near my armpit, I thought it was a nettle sting or maybe the sharp end of a feather type of thing, nothing excruciating, it was only when I looked I realised it was a sting. removed it...didn't react badly at all....a little lump a bit of itching, like a nettle sting that was it. Fear over and got on with it after that. So try to relax and not let it get out of proportion you'll wonder what the fuss was about

 

[kazmcc]

Thanks Roy I know it won't be as bad as I think it will.....but after running screaming whenever anything buzzed near me for all of my life ( up until about 3 weeks ago ) I suppose there is still a little bit of that fear left somewhere. I am such a wimp, but then again, I've had 3 children so how bad can it be lol. I think it is human nature, and bees do a very good job of instilling that waryness in us, well, most of us. I'm not bothered enough to let it put me off though, just enough to gripe about it for a while until I've seen the girls and I am on a high again. There is always one of these posts just before I am due at the bees lol

 

[YorkshireBees]

I must have been stung several times as a child, my parents have a big garden which was always attractive to bees!
Part of that big garden is now one of my apiaries and my sisters 3 young children play in it with no problems. The youngest got stung 3 times on the face last year because he followed his father, who was feeding one of my hives whilst I was away, and didn't realise the young one had followed him.
I now have 3 apprentice beekeepers fighting for my spare bee-suit, each time I am inspecting the hives!
Stings happen but whatever the reaction it is never that bad and hopefully doesn't last too long.

And the moral of the story is that if a 3yr old can get over his fear after 3 stings to the face, we should not fear the bees!
Hope this helps

 

[kazmcc]

Kids are great aren't they. I think if I had taken up bee keeping when I was younger ( and before I became a parent ) I wouldn't be so worried. You seem to see the danger in everything the older you get, and certainly after having children. I am a stress head anyway, and I understand these posts are from peoples worst experiences....which are few and far between. It's just they seem to pop up just before i am due at a hive, and as I am still a nervous beginner, they stick in my mind, that is until I've got the suit on...then I forget all about it lol. I just need more experience, and now our bees are coming tomorrow, I will get all the experience I need

Still want to help collect a swarm though, so if anyone lives in Manchester and you can handle an inexperienced, eager helper....I'm your girl

 

[Blue Spinnaker]

Kaz I've also had 3 children - believe me if you can do that, you will cope with anything!!

 

[freethorpe bees]

It's quite reassuring to hear these stories. My bees really laid into my leg last week and the blisters are only just going down. I need to inspect the hive again but am really nervous incase the same thing happens. Hearing your stories does help though - I'm not the only one out here!

 

[Heather]

Wear jogger pants over jeans to protect your legs-pretty bee proof & it will get your confidence back

 

[freethorpe bees]

Thanks Heather - I did get some white bee trousers (after the event!) and will wear joggers underneath. I am really nervous about going in again though!

 

[kazmcc]

Thanks Blue, believe me, I feel your pain lol

Thanks too Heather.....good idea, I will certainly use that as when they landed on my leg today, I must admit I was a little worried lol

 

[kazmcc]

Great pic Yorkshire, happy looking little boy

 

[susbees]

Kaz I've also had 3 children - believe me if you can do that, you will cope with anything!!

With five I'm not sure I agree any more . There's a point somewhere between three and insanity where any cry of muuuuummm even when out without children causes you to look to the source.

And Mr Bee was very brave. He didn't cry. Chamomile german (sometimes called blue) essential oil rubbed on three times (or more) a day caused no swelling and no itching in my last arm sting. Still under investigation (although not going to get deliberately stung nosurreee)! However, having no sense of smell it is possible it whiffs a little.

 

[Incatatus]

try vinegar

 

[TBRNoTB]

Hmm, makes this one not worth mentioning !

I'll never wear just shorts under a beesuit again, did it hurt! why do these lessons always have to be painful?

 

[kazmcc]

wow roadster, that is one hell of a blister....,,looks like the little madam got her whole poison sac in there doesn't it lol, hope it isn't too painful for too long

 

[ENZO]

Well, the weekend just gone I had a bee climb up my trouser leg and sting me on the buttock, at least you can scratch your hand vigorously and nobody points, mind you, could have been a lot lot worse

Enzo

 

[kazmcc]

Yikes...that was close Enzo, if she'd have turned left instead of right......well, I shan't go on lol. I'm wondering if someone can help here. When I got back from putting the bees on today I found something sticking out if my arm. I flicked it out ( it didn't look entirely like the pic I have seen of a sting, but it was a point with a bulbous end sticking out ) I didn't look at it too closely, and then couldn't find it after, but there was a clear fluid leaking out from where the point went in. There is no pain or swelling, I didn't even notice it. It still doesn't hurt now, just a red mark about 1mm long and wide. I had an odd metallic taste in my mouth too. Have I been stung? Is it possible to be able to get stung and it not be painful.....what if it was a very young worker who's sting wasn't developed properly yet? Could it be a deformed sting? I have never been stung before, and I am not lucky enough for it to be a proper sting and this just be my reaction. What do you all think?

Karen

 

[steve1958]

Sounds like a Bee sting to me.

 

[Blue Spinnaker]

How is it today?

 

[Black Comb]

They can sting you through your suit.
In the recent hot weather I got stung on the arms a few times because I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt. They seem to know where the skin is close to the surface.

If you get stung scratch it out - afterwards rub some Anthistan cream on.

Looks like the sting couldn't get through or was made by a younger worker who's stings aren't quite as strong (still hurt though)

Suggest you read the sticky on here by Roy S about stings.