newcountrygirl Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 On monday we had a small swarm which were were unable to catch. On working with the hive hubby got stung on his head. He's been stung loads of times and never had a problem. Yesterday there was a much larger swarm which we managed to retrieve from the very top of a neighbours chestnut tree about 30 feet up. He got stung twice - once on his little finger and once on his middle finger. When he got up this morning he had a severe headache and his head was swollen. Both his eyes were swollen nearly shut and his middle finger was three times its size and purple! I took him to the doctors where he was given strong antihistamine and an Epipen - with instructions that he should keep it in his bee suit. If stung and any swelling or tingling appears other than at the site of the sting he must inject the Epipen and proceed straight to hospital. So strange that after years he has suddenly developed an adverse reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Ouch! I've heard of it happening when someone who's used to being stung has had a long gap in between stings. It sounds as if it was a cumulative effect, a bit worrying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 What a worry! I have read about that happening but not come across it. Is he still keen to continue keeping bees? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Yes he is still hoping to keep them. We will just have to see what happens. He's always been fine in the past when he got a sting. It's not as if it was a long time ago since the last one - so I don't understand why it suddenly was so different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 It happened to my OH as well - being OK and then one time he reacted with a severe allergic reaction and was hospitalised. I think its reasonably common to happen like this. The doctor in the hospital said there is no way of knowing whether next time he was stung he'd be OK or if it would be worse; so we have taken the decision to move the bees out of the garden and my OH is extraordinarily careful when out in the fresh air now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 If it was up to me that is what i would do too Daphne. My hubby has other ailments and we dont really need anything else to worry about - but he's a MAN what can i say - we will just have to see what happens. If he gets a another bad reaction i think he will let them go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Would it be timely to get a RAST done? Stings on heads normally produce an exaggerated reaction anyway and the reaction in his fingers sound more like cellulitis than allergy. Anaphylaxis, as you know, occurs immediately after the assault and that is what the epi is for. I have a beekeeping friend who had desensitising treatment and she is fine now. Might be worth exploring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 My hubby had a similar reaction from a wasp sting, stung on the little toe. Ended up in hospital. He too has done desensitization treatment which has worked, although I think being stung by several wasps may still be a risk! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
