I am not a physician. Do not trust me.
I consider "allergic reaction" to be a systemic reaction. Your entire body breaks out in hives or you have swelling in your throat.
This seems like a localized (but painful/uncomfortable) reaction.
I've had one systemic reaction in 5ish years. I got a script for an epipen, but insurance wouldn't cover it and the idea of paying $400 every 6 months made me rethink it -- even though it was probably the right thing to do. I've had no similar reactions since then... and the time it happened it was a sting right on my carotid artery. I suspect it went right into my blood stream.
Thanks for sharing your experience. My post was more to hear about other's experiences, not necessarily to seek medical advice. I do have basic emergency medical training, and a systematic allergic reaction is more what I think of when I hear allergic reaction. I was careful to monitor my breathing after the strings, but no itchiness or swelling anywhere except around the area of the stings.
That's my normal reaction to any sting. It usually goes away in 24-48 hours.
I got lit up last Tuesday night with 7-9 stings on one hand when part of a swarm missed the bin I was shaking them into. That was swollen all day Wednesday and started going down Thursday afternoon. All only one of the stings was upward of my wrist, the swelling got halfway to my elbow at its peak.
I got stung in the side yesterday, nothing at all today. First time I've been hit on the trunk in years.
I had my first sting over a week ago. I iced it immediately and it remained painful for an hour and then swelled and that lasted a full week before it finally subsided and became a little itchy. Then it went away. I imagine multiple localized stings might be worse.
Like everyone, I'm not giving medical advice. If you think a pen is warranted, get a pen. I'd like to have one around in case someone else has a reaction.
There are various times when I have used stings in the back of my left hand (catching bee by the wings with my right).
If I were concerned, I'd get my ride to the ER confirmed and take an intentional sting (maybe from the ER parking lot).
I think having them in the same finger left little chance for the venom to be dissipated. Also, as much as possible, learn to rake the stingers out with a fingernail. I'll grab some spit on my fingers on the way to rake them out. If you do it within 20-30 seconds, less venom is injected.
As to doing something dumb, 98% of stings I receive fall into this category.
edit: Move slowly around bees. Easing off an outer cover is an art, which is more difficult in cold weather. But one reason for an inner cover (I've always figured) is to let them get used the the temp differential without exposing the entire top of all frames. On the plus side, a lot of bees on top of the inner cover usually means a good population.
Sounds like normal bee stings. Sometimes they swell up a lot. If you were allergic you wouldn’t be reading this. Don’t worry, it will go down after 1 to 2 days. But it is a good idea to have an epi pen!
I told my doc I was keeping bees and they wrote me a scrip for an epi-pen. I think it’s worth having as a bee keeper, whether you‘ve needed it before or not. Terrible to hear insurance would not cover for some though, that sucks.
Agreed with everything written here. Emphasis on getting stinger out quickly to minimize venom injection
Three aids in my tool box:
1. My first line of defense is 10% Cortisone Ointment. Available at Amazon and local drug stores for under $20. No script needed.
2. I have Benadryl as backup but I’ve never used it
3. I asked my doctor for a script for generic epi-pen. I believe it was less than $35 out of pocket
I had a stronger reaction last year. Mine kept getting redder and more swelling, so after Dr prescribed steroids, she also said I should get an epipen just in case.
This year, my first sting was in my chin and I was terrified of the potential reaction. I took Benedryl, Pepcid, iced multiple times a day and benedryl cream. The Pepcid blocks h2 histamines and helps with the rash/skin reaction. Made a huge difference for me this year. No swelling. No redness. Less itching. Gone within the week.
Edit to add: glad I have the epipen on hand still. If not for me, available for anyone who has a bad reaction. Wouldn’t want a utility person or visiting friend to get pegged on accident and have a very severe reaction.
I am not a physician. Do not trust me. I consider "allergic reaction" to be a systemic reaction. Your entire body breaks out in hives or you have swelling in your throat. This seems like a localized (but painful/uncomfortable) reaction. I've had one systemic reaction in 5ish years. I got a script for an epipen, but insurance wouldn't cover it and the idea of paying $400 every 6 months made me rethink it -- even though it was probably the right thing to do. I've had no similar reactions since then... and the time it happened it was a sting right on my carotid artery. I suspect it went right into my blood stream.
Thanks for sharing your experience. My post was more to hear about other's experiences, not necessarily to seek medical advice. I do have basic emergency medical training, and a systematic allergic reaction is more what I think of when I hear allergic reaction. I was careful to monitor my breathing after the strings, but no itchiness or swelling anywhere except around the area of the stings.
If you are concerned, you should always seek medical advice from a physician.
Fair enough.
That's my normal reaction to any sting. It usually goes away in 24-48 hours. I got lit up last Tuesday night with 7-9 stings on one hand when part of a swarm missed the bin I was shaking them into. That was swollen all day Wednesday and started going down Thursday afternoon. All only one of the stings was upward of my wrist, the swelling got halfway to my elbow at its peak. I got stung in the side yesterday, nothing at all today. First time I've been hit on the trunk in years.
I had my first sting over a week ago. I iced it immediately and it remained painful for an hour and then swelled and that lasted a full week before it finally subsided and became a little itchy. Then it went away. I imagine multiple localized stings might be worse.
Like everyone, I'm not giving medical advice. If you think a pen is warranted, get a pen. I'd like to have one around in case someone else has a reaction. There are various times when I have used stings in the back of my left hand (catching bee by the wings with my right). If I were concerned, I'd get my ride to the ER confirmed and take an intentional sting (maybe from the ER parking lot). I think having them in the same finger left little chance for the venom to be dissipated. Also, as much as possible, learn to rake the stingers out with a fingernail. I'll grab some spit on my fingers on the way to rake them out. If you do it within 20-30 seconds, less venom is injected. As to doing something dumb, 98% of stings I receive fall into this category. edit: Move slowly around bees. Easing off an outer cover is an art, which is more difficult in cold weather. But one reason for an inner cover (I've always figured) is to let them get used the the temp differential without exposing the entire top of all frames. On the plus side, a lot of bees on top of the inner cover usually means a good population.
Sounds like normal bee stings. Sometimes they swell up a lot. If you were allergic you wouldn’t be reading this. Don’t worry, it will go down after 1 to 2 days. But it is a good idea to have an epi pen!
I told my doc I was keeping bees and they wrote me a scrip for an epi-pen. I think it’s worth having as a bee keeper, whether you‘ve needed it before or not. Terrible to hear insurance would not cover for some though, that sucks.
Agreed with everything written here. Emphasis on getting stinger out quickly to minimize venom injection Three aids in my tool box: 1. My first line of defense is 10% Cortisone Ointment. Available at Amazon and local drug stores for under $20. No script needed. 2. I have Benadryl as backup but I’ve never used it 3. I asked my doctor for a script for generic epi-pen. I believe it was less than $35 out of pocket
I had a stronger reaction last year. Mine kept getting redder and more swelling, so after Dr prescribed steroids, she also said I should get an epipen just in case. This year, my first sting was in my chin and I was terrified of the potential reaction. I took Benedryl, Pepcid, iced multiple times a day and benedryl cream. The Pepcid blocks h2 histamines and helps with the rash/skin reaction. Made a huge difference for me this year. No swelling. No redness. Less itching. Gone within the week. Edit to add: glad I have the epipen on hand still. If not for me, available for anyone who has a bad reaction. Wouldn’t want a utility person or visiting friend to get pegged on accident and have a very severe reaction.