Reprint from Bee Venom:
Exploring the Healing Power by Mihály Simics
Apitronic Publishing,
Calgary, AB., Canada, 1994, ISBN -9697654-0-1
Bee venom has many different effects on the human body.
This is based on the total effect of the bee venom. The person who is not
hypersensitive to bee stings can tolerate one to five stings at a time. This is
followed by minimal local symptoms accompanied by swelling, redness and
itchiness of the skin. Initially, the symptoms are little painful but later
change to a pleasant and warm sensation. Fifty to one hundred stings can cause
a cramp, temporary shortness of breath, the skin turns blue or rapid pulse and
symptoms of temporary paralysis follow. Two hundred or more bee stings can
cause paralysis of the respiratory system. Some people can tolerate more than
1,000 stings. In one case it was noted that an unfortunate individual received
2,243 stings and stayed alive. Many adults have received a thousand stings and
survived. A rough estimate would be that the LD50 on adult humans is about
1,000 to 1,100 stings. On the other hand we know from reports that 100 to 300
bee stings have had a fatal effect on some unlucky individuals. Sometimes to a
person who is hypersensitive to bee venom only one sting can cause a serious or
fatal reaction.
Bee Sting Allergy
Bee venom, in certain
cases, can have very strong toxic effects on humans. Approximately 0.5% to 2%
of the population is hypersensitive to insect stings, but often we read reports
in newspapers of 4% to 5% as well. These differences come from the various
methods used in population studies and what we define hypersensitivity to be.
However, the 1% to 2% hypersensitivity ration is accepted by the medical
profession. In practice it is very unlikely that the hypersensitive person will
get an insect sting, but it can accidentally happen. Unfortunately, during the
first sting they are usually unaware of their hypersensitivity. If this happens
the victim can have allergic reactions which can result in an anaphylactic
shock. This means that the body loses its ability to protect itself from the
penetrated foreign material. The blood pressure of the body decreases; rashes
appear on the skin; paleness, a rapid pulse, chills, cold skin can follow. In
more serious cases there is a shortness of breath, tightness of the heart,
faintness and eventually death can occur. It is very important to remove the
stinger as early as possible. It is best to remove it with a pair of tweezers,
but if this is not at hand it can be done by scraping it with a fingernail or a
tip of a knife. Never squeeze the venom sac of the stinger, because the venom
will enter the wound. After it is removed, lay the victim down on their back
and elevate their feet. If an antihistamine or cortisone product is available,
immediately administer it to the victim.
An individual who is aware that he
or she is hypersensitive to bee stings should carry an insect sting treatment
kit, i.e. Anakit or Epipen. In an emergency or life-threatening situation it
can save a person's life. (These kits are available through pharmacies.)
Administer the medication by following the directions of the manufacturer very
carefully. It is important to contact a physician and get medical attention as
soon as possible. The physician will further determine what kind of treatment
the victim requires. If someone does not know whether they are hypersensitive
or not to bee stings they should get an allergy test done. The physician will
do a very simple skin test or a Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST).
The skin
test is completed by the following method: the physician doing the allergy test
slightly scratches or pricks the surface of the skin with a needle which is
dipped into bee venom dissolved in a saline solution. The test solution is
available in different strengths which can then determine the level of
hypersensitivity. Depending on the reaction of the skin the physician will
recommend the appropriate treatment required. This will build up the immune
system of the body to protect it from further bee stings.
Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST)
A blood
sample is taken from the patient and is tested in a laboratory to determine the
presence and levels of IgE antibodies to bee venom. The duration of the
treatment determines the levels of the individual's hypersensitivity. The
physician injects a small quantity of highly diluted solution of bee venom into
the epidermis of the skin and a blister is then formed. This method is repeated
by increasing the number of blisters on the surface of the skin and
concentration of diluted venom solution. The patient will receive the
equivalent of one or two stings of venom without getting any hypersensitive
reactions. Very often this kind of treatment can give protection from other
insect stings such as; wasp, yellow jacket or hornet.
Elderly people can be
more sensitive to bee or insect stings. It is especially suggested that
beekeepers who are otherwise accustomed to bee stings during the beekeeping
operation take this into consideration. The British Medical Journal (292:378,
1986) reported on two cases which can be of interest to beekeepers who are
taking nonsteriod anti-inflammatory drugs. According to this report beekeepers
who were previously not hypersensitive to bee or wasp stings took
anti-inflammatory drugs and became hypersensitive. In one of the cases the
patient had to be hospitalized. After the patient discontinued taking the
drugs, the immune system recovered and only the usual local reactions occurred
from the bee and wasp stings. Beekeepers should think before they begin any
kind of treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs that contain ibuprofen,
naproxen, fenoprofen, sulindac, piroxicam, ketoprofen, tolmetin or suprofent.
Suggested Reading
Simics, M.: First Aid for Bee and
Wasp Stings. Apitronic Publishing, Calgary, AB., Canada, 1995, ISBN
-9697654-1-X, pp. 80.
See Books and Booklets: Product Code:
BK017
Copyright © 2002-2005 Mihály
Simics. All Rights Reserved.
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Road, Richmond, B.C., Canada, V7A 2Z1, Ph./Fax (604) 271-9414
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