Bee stings. European honey bees generally are not aggressive toward people, but are defensive of their hive (family and food stores). However, the degree of defensiveness of an individual colony can vary greatly from day-to-day and even within the same day, depending on various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, whether it is sunny or overcast, the air temperature, the degree of wind, the amount of time the hive is open for inspection; odors of the human body, breath; color and texture of clothing; the degree of sharp, quick movement around the hive; accidental killing or crushing of bees during hive inspection; whether the colony has a functioning queen; whether the colony is being harassed by skunks, raccoons or opossums at night, being invaded by ants or being robbed by other honey bee colonies or wasps; and other factors unique to a honey bee colony at the time of inspection that currently are not known to or ascertainable by the beekeepers. At some point or another, a beekeeper will be stung as a result of beekeeping activities. Stings always hurt and it is rare that a person will not experience some allergic reaction to a bee sting. Allergic reactions to honey bee stings vary from person to person, and can vary by sting and over time. Most people only have a localized allergic reaction, including one or more of the following: the skin swells and becomes red, hot and painful, and itching also may occur. The severity and duration of such localized allergic reactions vary among individuals and stings, and over time. These reactions may disappear over a few hours or days, but can persist for a week or longer. Some people have a systemic allergic reaction which is far more serious than a localized allergic reaction. A systemic allergic reaction can be evidenced by emergence of itchy bumps (hives), redness and/or swelling of the skin at points distant from the site of the sting(s). A systemic allergic reaction also may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. When the most serious of these reactions occurs – anaphylaxis – the person experiences one or more of the following: wheezing, hoarseness, swelling of the tongue, fainting, difficulty breathing followed by a drop in blood pressure that can lead to shock and death. These types of reactions usually occur within minutes of the sting, but can be delayed for up to 24 or more hours after the sting(s).
Bee stings. European honey bees are generally are not aggressive toward people, but are defensive of their hive (family and food stores). However, the degree of defensiveness of an individual colony can vary greatly from day-to-day and even within the same day, depending on various factors. A person working around bees will be stung as a result of beekeeping activities. Stings always hurt and it is rare that a person will not experience some allergic reaction to a bee sting. Allergic reactions to honey bee stings vary from person to person, and can vary by sting and over time. Most people only have a localized allergic reaction. The severity and duration of such localized allergic reactions vary among individuals and stings, and over time. Some people have a systemic allergic reaction which is far more serious than a localized allergic reaction. A systemic allergic reaction can be evidenced by emergence of itchy bumps (hives), redness and/or swelling of the skin at points distant from the site of the sting(s). A systemic allergic reaction also may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. When the most serious of these reactions occurs – anaphylaxis – the person experiences one or more of the following: wheezing, hoarseness, swelling of the tongue, fainting, difficulty breathing followed by a drop-in blood pressure that can lead to shock and death. These types of reactions usually occur within minutes of the sting, but can be delayed for up to 24 or more hours after the sting(s).
