Must be stung twice before you become allergic? Where did you come up with that nonsense? I was stung by a honey bee when I was about ten. First sting in my life. Went into shock and nearly died. It was my first sting.
Agis Apiaries: As nonconfrontationally as possible, there was nothing I found wrong in the capsule summary that you found fault with.
Your situation was included in what was stated, in that it was your first sting, but much more commonly, a first exposure sets the stage for an overexuberant reaction to a second exposure.
Might you have grown up in a beekeeping family?
More beekeepers family members develop anaphylactic reactions to beestings because they are exposed to bee venom from their beekeeping family member's clothing, etc. From that exposure, and not from a sting, their bodies immune systems get ready to do an inappropriate battle with any further exposure to bee venom. I believe I recall Michael Palmer recounting his daughter's experience with anaphylaxis after an inadvertent sting she got in his truck when he picked her up from an after-school activity.
For those who wish to learn a bit more, do websearches on the terms 'immediate hypersensitivity reaction' and 'anaphylaxis', which are more specific terms dealing with this sort of reaction than 'allergic', which is a more catch-all phrase that covers many of our immune system reactions to things considered 'non-self'.
Wow, I had no idea how an off-hand comment would start a fire. My doctor and I had discussed all the implications of using epinephrine injectors for a person with my heart condition (3 stents, pacemaker, defibrillator, numerous heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc medications) and she agreed that I understood the difference between local, systemic, and anaphylactic reactions and could be "trusted" with an epi-pen. The insurance company computer, however, balked at the prescription due to condition/drug interactions; certainly some sort of liability issue. So the doc prescribed it for my wife and the insurance covered it without question.
That being said; I think it was a waste of money and time. My family is not allergic to bee stings. We have all been stung numerous times, and my wife has the worst reaction (a little local swelling.) I have no reaction to speak of any more, no swelling or itching, and it seems to ease the stiffness in my fingers to get stung a few times every couple of weeks. My son never has had much of a reaction, he got stung on the lip and it wasn't any bigger than a blemish that evening, and gone the next day. If you or a family member is allergic to bees enough to need an epi-pen around, you need a new hobby or a different job.
Think about this; you are more likely to be involved in a violent crime than associated with a bee-sting anaphylactic reaction; do you carry a gun with you? (I conceal carry, but gave up the epi.)
Sundances medical advice is some of the worst I have ever heard.
If you are having an anaphylactic reaction Primatene Mist or anything else, rubbing dirt in it, sniffing bee butts.... none of that is going to work.
if you have an EpiPen use it if you are having an allergic reaction and cannot get help you will die.
If you're not having an allergic reaction then any of the above non effective treatments are perfectly fine for you.
Signed,
Wilderness First Aid, AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor.
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