Allergy tests

[TheMasonicHive]

Hello everyone!

I'm really happy to say that I ordered my first packaged bees today and I can hardly wait to get them.

There is one problem however.  I've been stung by various insects and never had a reaction past what a normal human reaction would be to a sting, slight inflamation and swelling, but nothing serious.  My wife is seriously concerned however.

I've handled bees before, and I'm not scared of them.  I really want to be the type of beekeeper to not have to use gloves, but I digress.

To help her trust me with this, I told her I would get an allergy test.

Has anyone gotten one before they got their bees just to be sure?

What did they do and how long did it take to get the results?

What should I do if I find out that I do have an allergy?

Any help on this subject would be very helpful to me!  Thank you!

[bassman1977]

A buddy of mine who helps me on occasion was worried about being allergic to bees since he was never stung before.  At my recommendation, he went to see a specialist in the field.  They did a check up but that was as far as they took it.  The doctor said that there are a lot less people who are allergic to bee stings than you would think.  He would have been more concerned if my buddy had more allergies, but the doctor cleared him without further testing.  His first time out in the bee yard, he got stung and was fine.

Not sure if that helps at all.

[Kathyp]

very few people are allergic. a lot of people think they are  it's like 1% of the population.  tell her also that just because you are not allergic today, doesn't mean you won't be tomorrow.  life is a risk   :-D

[bassman1977]

it's like 1% of the population

That's about right.  I remember he said it was an extremely low percentage of people who are actually allergic.  I think what makes it seem like more is the horror stories that go around when someone who IS allergic, get stung. 

[bassman1977]

While I am thinking of it, my wife, who is allergic to a good number of medications got stung my first year keeping bees.  She was worried about getting stung too but the hives aren't that close to the house so I told her just keep away and she'll be ok.  Well, wouldn't you know that there were a few ladies flying around by the front door and one nailed her right in the cheek.  My first thought was "oh !@#$" as you could imagine.  Nothing happened.  Now she helps out with the bees on occasion too.

[treebee]

I have been thinking alot about this. My two boys have been showing interest in the bees but i don't think they have been stung . Neither my self or the wife are allergic to the sting. I know it is wrong but I am looking forward to there first stings I will be keeping 10-20 hives on the six acres surrounding my house. The only precaution I have is keeping benadril on hand our nearest Hospital is a half hour away.I guess I could load everybody up with some bees in a jar and go sit outside the emergency room and get it over with... maybe I better wait till ice cream season, to bribe/cover the pain.

[sarafina]

I would recommend getting a prescription for an EpiPen from your doctor, just in case.  Never hurts to have one on hand since you don't know who may visit your house.  I keep one in my medicine cabinet and fortunately have never had to use it.

[Wynoochee_newbee_guy]

out of the 6 billion people on this planet only less then 1% are allergic to a honey bee sting thats 60 million people, 300 million people live in the united states its not a whole lot of people, Just sucks if its you!

[dgc1961]

I was stung when I was a little boy and it put me in the hospital.  That was the only time that I received a sting.  When I wanted to get started as a beek, I went to an allergist and had a test done.  I ended up not beling allergice anymore.

The test took about 1 hour.  They kept poking me with needles increasing the amount of venom each time.  Luckily no reactions.

[manfre]

I would recommend getting a prescription for an EpiPen from your doctor, just in case.  Never hurts to have one on hand since you don't know who may visit your house.  I keep one in my medicine cabinet and fortunately have never had to use it.

I second this. I am not allergic, but have an epipen as a just in case for guests.

[Robo]

There is a big difference between allergic and anaphylaxis.   Many people who claim to be allergic take the normal swelling and redness that we are use to as "being allergic"  and  some presume the next time it will be anaphylaxis.    I also think the type of bee plays a big affect.  I believe wasps/hornets have a higher rate than honeybees.

I have had discussions with Amber Rose,  our guest tomorrow night on the podcast, and bee venom therapy expert, who has stung over 10,000 people and has never had anyone suffer anaphylaxis.   That doesn't mean it doesn't happen,  and she takes all the precautions when stinging someone for the first time (or anyone, even beekeepers, who haven't been stung in the last 2 weeks),  but it does demonstrate how rare it can be.

[Natalie]

Its so true, I cannot tell you how many people tell me they are allergic to bee stings.
Its like 75 percent of the people I meet and talk about bees to tell me they are allergic.
When I say they probably aren't allergic in the sense that its deadly but they swell up and get redness and itching they assure me that they are definitely allergic.
Its pretty annoying. I get very swollen and itchy too but I don't go around telling people I am allergic to bee stings, it seems to me that is what is suppose to happen when you get stung. Its sort of the point isn't it?
I agree, if you are that far from a hospital ou need to have an epi pen on hand. You may never need to use it but its good to have it on hand.

[KD4MOJ]

Well time for the allergy test my Dr's sez (and I know better). My 3rd visit to her in 6 months from those blasted guinea wasp stings. Funny thing this past Sunday it happened in the bee yard. The wasp were in the boxwoods behind my hives and while moving boxes around, I plowed into the boxwoods and you can guess what happened next. They (the guineas) were in attack mode before I could get away, 3 sings to the right cheek and one puffed up face. Airway was not involved thank goodness since I got the Benadryl in me pretty fast.

So a good ole shot of Solu-Medrol, a weeks worth of Prednisone, a new Epi Pen prescription and an upcoming meet-n-greet with the Allergist to see what else I am allergic too!

By the grace of God, I'm not allergic to honey bee stings! YAHOO for that! 

I second this. I am not allergic, but have an epipen as a just in case for guests.

  Keep in mind, epinephrine is a drug (for which you have  a prescription) and I would only use it on someone else if it meant life or death (airway obstruction etc & EMS response time considered). Someone allergic to sulfites can die from an EpiPen injection.

  Just my 2¢! Didn't mean to get on the ole soap box! Worked 15 years in the EMS field and I've seen the results of true anaphylactic reactions and also the results of misused medications.


...DOUG
KD4MOJ

P.S. And I do ride a Sportbike (with helmet)!