ADVERSE REACTIONS !

Most people react in some way to a bee sting, and as a result many people regard themselves as 'allergic to bee stings'. However, US estimates show that the number of people with some form of allergy to insect stings is only 1-2%. The percentage of total deaths due to bee venom allergies is 0.0008%, or less than 1 in 12 million.

The initial reaction to a bee sting is local redness, swelling, pain and itchiness. However this is not an indication of bee venom allergy, since the medical definition of a stinging insect allergy is sting-induced systemic reactions by the body that occurs somewhere other than the local area of the sting. Pain and redness is a 'normal reaction'.
A larger local reaction can occur in the area of the sting in a radius of 3 inches (10cm) or more, increasing in size over several days, and creating massive swelling. This type of larger local reaction is also not life-threatening, unless the sting and swelling occurs nearby the airway.

Bee Venom allergy can create a systemic allergic reaction that affects the circulatory and respiratory systems!

Reactions include shock, unconsciousness, fainting, difficulty breathing and massive swelling of the throat! Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, an urge to use the toilet, general weakness, itchy palms, soles, eyes and throat. Relaxation and reassurance of the patient should be encouraged in order to prevent panic. Panic can make the condition worse, breathing troubles may follow, and left unchecked could lead to cardiovascular failure and death!

When breathing problems occur, immediate medical attention is required! Intra-muscular injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) is the recognized treatment to alleviate the symptoms of allergy (Barach 1984).

ATTENTION!

A person generally does NOT suffer an allergic reaction on their FIRST exposure to insect venom. The first sting causes the body to produce an allergy-causing antibody (IgE). When the person receives a SECOND sting later in time, the venom causes an IgE induced reaction!

Research has shown that there is no link between sufferers of bee venom allergy and sufferers of other allergies such as asthma, hay fever and food allergies. (Settipane 1972, Lockey 1988).

Bee Venom is also incorporated in ointments, inhalations and tablets (Sharma and Singh, 1983) Commercial creams are manufactured that include bee venom, forapin and apicosan in Germany, apvene in France and immenin in Austria (Krell 1993). The ointments are used in topical applications on inflamed and sore joints.