Bee sting remedies

[WantToBeeLady]

Hello again and Happy Independence Day. I just have a question regarding bee stings and what you all use as remedies.  So far I've only been stung 3 or 4 times. For me it's not really a big deal at first.  I don't really feel the sting when it's happening and I don't even swell up afterwards.  But the sight of the sting is so itchy for at least two days.  I'm sure that each of us have a different way of dealing with this issue and i would be interested in all or any suggestions you all may have. 

Thank you again for sharing your stories and ideas. I love reading them.

[Jen]

Hi BeeLady    Benedril cream works nicely, hydrocortizone cream 2%. I heard that keeping vinegar on it helps and also disguised the sting pheromone. And I heard of rubbing on white toothpaste.
I
Here's a tid bit also. It takes about 15 stings to build up an immunity to the itch and swell. For me and arthritis, I simply let a few stings happen in the beginning of the season then the itching isn't a bother so muchf the rest of the season.

[WantToBeeLady]

I really like the idea of becoming immune.  And I've heard the venom is good for so many things. There's a local beekeeper that says if you apply the venom above the affected joint, in her case it's her knees, it helps with arthritis.  By apply I guess you catch the bee, then place the stinger. Does that sound right??  I knew someone that had MS and her husband placed stingers on her back and it really helped.

I think I'll just take one for the team, like you suggested and get it over with.  And if it helps with any of my aches and pains it will just be a bonus. With the few stings I have had...once that pheromone gets out....Everyone wants in on the party.  There were all kinds of stingers in my suit. So I washed it and hung it to dry.

[Jen]

The smart way to be a self stinger, is to have an epipen somewhere in the house just in case. Always know where it is, and don't move it.

I've been self stinging for 7 years now. I believe I have put off knee surgery for that long. My doc said that the knee joint has a lot of bone there to deteriorate before surgery should be considered, so deal with the discomfort as long as you can.

I use a set of long tweezers and go out to the hive and carefully snag a bee right above her abdomen, I'm ready with my pant leg rolled up. Then, I gently place her bottom up to the skin on the inside of my knee, the stinger is barbed, so the skin will catch the stinger, you'll know when that happens. Then gently pull her away, place her in your and and thank her for helping your pain. Then place her back in the hive so her sisters can take care of her.

Or, there is a way to gather a few bees in a jar. I can give photos on how to do that. However, if you don't mind just getting stings along the way when in your hives, that's good too.

[Bakersdozen]

WTBL, it sounds like you have a mild reaction to stings.  If it is any comfort, I think the more confidence you gain working the hives, the more fluid your movements will be.  That behavior will attract less attention from the bees.
I have a normal reaction of redness, burning, swelling and itchiness for two days.  The best thing I found was a product that Zulu recommended in another post.  It is Baker's Venom Cleanser. http://bradbkr.tripod.com/  It takes any pain away immediately.  Nothing else works for me and I can't take Benadryl because of glaucoma.

[Jen]

Huh.... Cool Baker! Always learning stuff from you 

[CBT]

Yes thanks baker

[WantToBeeLady]

Thanks for the info Baker.  I checked out the link and it sounds like it's perfect.  And one bottle is good for up to 300 stings. Thanks for sharing.

And you are so right about the self confidence factor. I have a weird question...do your bees like music???  When I picked up my nuc at a farmers market they had a small band playing James Taylor and Carole King kind of stuff.  I carried the nuc to my truck and I could have been carrying an empty box.  That's just how quiet they were. Of course by the time I got home (15 minutes) it was a completely different matter. Anyway I just thought I would ask.   

[Jen]

Ha! .. Love .. It! My bees rock out to classic 60's 70's when I'm in the hives. Once in a while ACDC or Guns n Roses comes on and they don't mind a bit 

[riverbee]

bakers thank you, i did not know this about benadryl and glaucoma.

i don't like taking benadryl, it really kicks my backside, but it does work, i take 1/2 a dose.

remedies?  the more stings you take the better for your immune system, but then for some of us that sometimes fails, or something changes in the immune system.  (did for me, i am allergic).

after a sting, make sure you remove the stinger/s/sac. i use a benadryl pen on the sting site; take liquid or gel/tablet benadryl immediately (sooner, the better) and as needed for the itching and also ice it for the first 24 hours or less. everyone is different.

i carry eppys.

[Bakersdozen]

Well, this is what I get for bragging about sting remedies.     I went out last night, early evening, to put some feed on a swarm hive.  I know, I know, it was a little late in the day.   They have always been a little defensive and when I bumped the lid, here they come.  I got stung on the ankle.  I don't think I got the stinger out right away, and I kept working instead of stopping and tending to my wound since I only wanted to put feed on.  I think the Baker's Venom Cleanser was a little too late.  It did stop the pain, but the itching began immediately.  Overall, the swelling is not that bad either.   

[apisbees]

Got to love karma!!!  Jf not love, have an appreciation of it!

[lazy shooter]

My family uses liquid benadryl.  That is per my family doctor's advice.  It does make me sleepy, and I wouldn't advise anyone to take it if you were going to use equipment or drive.  However, I'm like Iddee, in that bees do not leave a mark on me.  I got one bee sting last week and later in the evening my arm itched a bit.  I then remembered the bee sting, but I could not see the sting site. 

My wife uses a product called "sting ease."  (sp)  She thinks it eases the itching and pain. 

lazy

[WantToBeeLady]

Well Baker...sorry about the bad bee day.  However now we all know that we have to use your remedy pretty quickly for it to work.  I no longer wear shorts and a t-shirt under my suit. Now it's long sleeves and long pants.  They were looking for a way in the suit today..but no dice. I can't stay out there too long dressed like that...sweat my buns off.  But anyway...thanks so much for all your advice folks.  Once again you've been very helpful 

[Jen]

Lazy, same with me, I do still get a wheel when I get stung, but not much itching anymore. I like the 'sting ease' as well, in the tube, pop the cap and dab it onto the site. I'm thinking also that it might disguise the sting pheromone too.

For those that use Benedril and get sleepy, why not use Benedril Daytime?