Information about Bee Venom Therapy and Bee
Venom Allergy
History of Bee Venom Therapy
Bee venom therapy
has been practiced for more than twelve centuries and is part of
clinical therapeutic treatments in Eastern Europe and Asia. Bee venom
therapy also plays an important role in Chinese Acupuncture.
Traditionally bee venom therapy involves applying bees directly
to the patient's affected area, and building up a number of stings
over time, to achieve maximum therapeutic results for arthritis and
possibly multiple sclerosis (MS).
In
1928, Ketschy developed bee venom injections. The bee venom
injections would eliminate the painful stinging process by live bees.
More recently, bee venom therapy has increased in Western Society
as an alternative to the use of synthetic drugs in the treatment
of arthritis, other rheumatoid inflammations, multiple
sclerosis and migraines.
What
is Bee Venom?
Bee Venom is a water-soluble blend of proteins (enzymes
and peptides) containing over 18 components of
pharmacological activities. The major allergic components are the
enzymes. The major bioactive substances are the peptides. Melittin and
Apamin found in bee venom have been shown to stimulate the pituitary
gland in humans and animals, releasing a hormone that causes the
adrenal gland to produce cortisol, one of the body's major
anti-inflammatory agents. MCD peptide found in bee venom has been shown
to produce an anti-inflammatory effect in animals 100 times
stronger than the common anti-inflammatory drug hydro-cortisone! The
effect is in addition to the cortisol effect. Also, bee venom is not
accompanied by the typical side effects normally associated to
cortisone.
Bee
Venom Allergy
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).
People with bee venom allergy are therefore not allowed to start a bee
venom therapy.
ATTENTION!
A person generally does NOT suffer an allergic reaction on their
FIRST exposure to bee 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 bee 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).
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