Bee Sting/bite q's- Long

In article <[email hidden]>,

Cat Dailey said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from now
on, or is this a one time weirdo thing? I have been stung before and never
had a reaction like this one, but my one sister is terribly allergic. Did I
get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter in question was what
we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

Anyone have any other advice?

I don't have any expertise about allergies. But I do know
that bees only sting once and then die. Wasps, such as yellow
jackets, can sting multiple times with gleeful impunity. And
their stings can be a lot worse than bee stings. I've heard
it described as resembling a strong electrical shock.

The last time I got stung by a wasp, a little topical
application of calamine lotion fixed it right up, with
immediate relief. But I had nowhere near the symptoms
you describe.

I think your best bet is to talk to your family physician
about it.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Powered by FreeBSD
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Cat Dailey said:

Anyway, 91 miles into it, a bee gets up under my helmet and proceeds to
sting me 3 or 4 times at least (one of the guys I rode with today said it
was a "bite" not a sting, because it was a multiple). All I know is, it
hurt A LOT :<

Chances are, since you were stung multiple times, it was a yellowjacket,
not a bee. Felt like an electric shock? Those critters are a RPITA
around here this time of year, and they will only get more aggressive as
their food supply (bugs) grows scarcer.

Quoted message said:

Over the
next 4-5 hours, the whole right side of my face swelled up until my eye
was nearly closed, ala Jonathan Vaughters. I iced all night and took
several benadryl during the evening, which only served to knock me on my
a**. By the next morning, it had migrated across my face and halfway
closed my left eye as well.

Much like the reaction I get to yelowjacket stings. I got one on the
cheek a few years ago and couldn't see out of my left eye for a couple
days since the whole side of my head swelled up.

Quoted message said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from
now on, or is this a one time weirdo thing?

I don't know that I would call it an allergy. You are sensitive to these
things, but that is a common reaction, especially to multiple stings. An
epi-pen is a good idea (I need a new one, myself). This is not, however,
a one-time weirdo thing.

Quoted message said:

Did I get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter
in question was what we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

It's definitely a sting. Yellowjackets are a type of wasp; their nests
tend to be in the ground or in recesses in buildings -- or anything
outside. I usually get stung while mowing the lawn, since they defend
their nests fiercely.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | When you are up to your ass in alligators, it's hard to remember
_`\(,_ | that your initial objective was to drain the swamp. -- LBJ
(_)/ (_) |

Are these "yellowjackets" nastier than regular wasps ?
I've been stung twice, while cycling, by wasps which got caught inside my
t-shirt. Both times I was worried that it could swell or that I could have
trouble riding back home. Both times I was surprised to see that almost
nothing happened except moderate itching. I wonder if a high heart rate
and blood flow could help dilute the venom before it has time to do much
harm ?

Jacques

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

Anyway, 91 miles into it, a bee gets up under my helmet and proceeds to
sting me 3 or 4 times at least (one of the guys I rode with today said

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was a "bite" not a sting, because it was a multiple). All I know is, it
hurt A LOT :<

Chances are, since you were stung multiple times, it was a yellowjacket,
not a bee. Felt like an electric shock? Those critters are a RPITA
around here this time of year, and they will only get more aggressive as
their food supply (bugs) grows scarcer.

Quoted message said:

Over the
next 4-5 hours, the whole right side of my face swelled up until my eye
was nearly closed, ala Jonathan Vaughters. I iced all night and took
several benadryl during the evening, which only served to knock me on my
a**. By the next morning, it had migrated across my face and halfway
closed my left eye as well.

Much like the reaction I get to yelowjacket stings. I got one on the
cheek a few years ago and couldn't see out of my left eye for a couple
days since the whole side of my head swelled up.

Quoted message said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from
now on, or is this a one time weirdo thing?

I don't know that I would call it an allergy. You are sensitive to these
things, but that is a common reaction, especially to multiple stings. An
epi-pen is a good idea (I need a new one, myself). This is not, however,
a one-time weirdo thing.

Quoted message said:

Did I get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter
in question was what we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

It's definitely a sting. Yellowjackets are a type of wasp; their nests
tend to be in the ground or in recesses in buildings -- or anything
outside. I usually get stung while mowing the lawn, since they defend
their nests fiercely.

--

David L. Johnson

Thanks David. I don't think I'd call it an electric shock...it hurt a bit
more than that. In fact, I was surprised at how much it did hurt ;< Do
you have a similar reaction now every time you get stung? And do you wait
to use the epi pen to see if you are having trouble breathing, or do you
just go for it whenever you get stung?

Cat
PS-We have ridden together before, you and I....

Quoted message said:

"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from now
on, or is this a one time weirdo thing? I have been stung before and never
had a reaction like this one, but my one sister is terribly allergic. Did I
get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter in question was what
we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

Anyone have any other advice?

An epi pen is a prescription item. That means you have to at least talk to your
doctor anyway so ask him/her for a professional opinion.
BTW, it was a sting. Neither bees nor wasps bite and even if they did you
wouldn't experience anything remotely resembling like you did. The swelling and
itching we get from insect bites is a reaction to the toxins in the offending
insect's saliva, toxins that are there to prevent clotting while the insect
feeds. Ever heard of a blood sucking bee? <g>

Regards,
Bob Hunt

"Hunrobe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from

now

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

on, or is this a one time weirdo thing? I have been stung before and

never

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

had a reaction like this one, but my one sister is terribly allergic.

Did I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter in question was

what

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

Anyone have any other advice?

An epi pen is a prescription item. That means you have to at least talk to

your

Quoted message said:

doctor anyway so ask him/her for a professional opinion.
BTW, it was a sting. Neither bees nor wasps bite and even if they did you
wouldn't experience anything remotely resembling like you did. The

swelling and

Quoted message said:

itching we get from insect bites is a reaction to the toxins in the

offending

Quoted message said:

insect's saliva, toxins that are there to prevent clotting while the

insect

Quoted message said:

feeds. Ever heard of a blood sucking bee? <g>

Regards,
Bob Hunt

You know, it's funny, but my family doc doesn't seem to be much help with
the sort of off the wall problems I get into on occasion as a cyclist. He's
great with "sickness" but doesn't seem to be as great with stuff one might
encounter as an athlete. If I ask him for a scrip for an epi pen, he'll
give it to me without too much trouble I think. I was hoping to get some
basic info from someone else who might have a bee sting allergy to find out
if it is something I should trouble the doc about. He doesn't have hours
Friday late or over the weekend anyway. If it's an emergency, I go to the
hospital, otherwise I wait until Monday morning when the office is open.

Cat

Cat Dailey said:

"Hunrobe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me from

now

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

on, or is this a one time weirdo thing? I have been stung before and

never

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

had a reaction like this one, but my one sister is terribly allergic.

Did I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter in question was

what

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.

Anyone have any other advice?

An epi pen is a prescription item. That means you have to at least talk to

your

Quoted message said:

doctor anyway so ask him/her for a professional opinion.
BTW, it was a sting. Neither bees nor wasps bite and even if they did you
wouldn't experience anything remotely resembling like you did. The

swelling and

Quoted message said:

itching we get from insect bites is a reaction to the toxins in the

offending

Quoted message said:

insect's saliva, toxins that are there to prevent clotting while the

insect

Quoted message said:

feeds. Ever heard of a blood sucking bee? <g>

Regards,
Bob Hunt

You know, it's funny, but my family doc doesn't seem to be much help with
the sort of off the wall problems I get into on occasion as a cyclist. He's
great with "sickness" but doesn't seem to be as great with stuff one might
encounter as an athlete. If I ask him for a scrip for an epi pen, he'll
give it to me without too much trouble I think. I was hoping to get some
basic info from someone else who might have a bee sting allergy to find out
if it is something I should trouble the doc about. He doesn't have hours
Friday late or over the weekend anyway. If it's an emergency, I go to the
hospital, otherwise I wait until Monday morning when the office is open.

Cat

If your family doc isn't much help, get a referal to a specialist. You
really need to get properly tested and, if necessary, properly educated
and equipped. You may get good advice on the 'net, but it's often hard
to weed out the bad advice. Since a bee-sting can be fatal if you are
truly highly allergic, get proper advice from a physician.

Jeff

"Jeff Williams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

"Hunrobe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

>"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

wrote in part:

>Am I allergic to bees now and do I need to carry an epi pen with me

from

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

now

Quoted message said:

>on, or is this a one time weirdo thing? I have been stung before and

never

Quoted message said:

>had a reaction like this one, but my one sister is terribly allergic.

Did I

Quoted message said:

>get stung or bitten? I am pretty sure that the critter in question was

what

Quoted message said:

>we call a "yellow jacket" here in PA.
>
>Anyone have any other advice?

An epi pen is a prescription item. That means you have to at least talk

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

your

Quoted message said:

doctor anyway so ask him/her for a professional opinion.
BTW, it was a sting. Neither bees nor wasps bite and even if they did

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wouldn't experience anything remotely resembling like you did. The

swelling and

Quoted message said:

itching we get from insect bites is a reaction to the toxins in the

offending

Quoted message said:

insect's saliva, toxins that are there to prevent clotting while the

insect

Quoted message said:

feeds. Ever heard of a blood sucking bee? <g>

Regards,
Bob Hunt

You know, it's funny, but my family doc doesn't seem to be much help

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the sort of off the wall problems I get into on occasion as a cyclist.

He's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

great with "sickness" but doesn't seem to be as great with stuff one

might

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

encounter as an athlete. If I ask him for a scrip for an epi pen, he'll
give it to me without too much trouble I think. I was hoping to get

some

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

basic info from someone else who might have a bee sting allergy to find

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

if it is something I should trouble the doc about. He doesn't have

hours

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Friday late or over the weekend anyway. If it's an emergency, I go to

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hospital, otherwise I wait until Monday morning when the office is open.

Cat

If your family doc isn't much help, get a referal to a specialist. You
really need to get properly tested and, if necessary, properly educated
and equipped. You may get good advice on the 'net, but it's often hard
to weed out the bad advice. Since a bee-sting can be fatal if you are
truly highly allergic, get proper advice from a physician.

Jeff

twice what Jeff said. definitelt get advice from an allergist or specialist
if your dr doesnt help! taking the benadryl may have saved your life.
anaphylactic shock is a very serious matter.
i got stung by a yellow-jacket (one of those small ground dwelling,
meat-eating black & yellow ones) yesterday right behind the ear. it felt
like someone drove a nail into my skull!
-alan

Quoted message said:

"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

You know, it's funny, but my family doc doesn't seem to be much help with
the sort of off the wall problems I get into on occasion as a cyclist. He's
great with "sickness" but doesn't seem to be as great with stuff one might
encounter as an athlete. If I ask him for a scrip for an epi pen, he'll
give it to me without too much trouble I think. I was hoping to get some
basic info from someone else who might have a bee sting allergy to find out
if it is something I should trouble the doc about. He doesn't have hours
Friday late or over the weekend anyway. If it's an emergency, I go to the
hospital, otherwise I wait until Monday morning when the office is open.

Cat

The adults most often stung by bees and wasps aren't "athletes" but folks like
utility company repairmen, roofers, and landscapers so if your doctor has any
patients like them (or children) he is likely familiar with the problem.
Here's a little basic info from one who has a very severe reaction to bee
stings. Reactions vary from person to person but are generally classified as
mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.
Mild is what most people get- a little pain, some redness and swelling that
lasts from a few hours to a day or two. Ice and over the counter antihistamines
help.
Moderate- more and longer lasting swelling. Itching.
Severe- pretty much what you described except the swelling develops almost
immediately. Medical attention advised.
Very severe- Immediate swelling that rapidly spreads far past the sting site.
Heart arrhythmia. Difficulty breathing. Requires immediate medical attention.
If untreated can be fatal.

Only the last two require an epi pen.
If your swelling is subsiding now it's okay to wait until Monday to consult a
physician.

Does that help?

Regards,
Bob Hunt

"Hunrobe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Cat Dailey" [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

You know, it's funny, but my family doc doesn't seem to be much help with
the sort of off the wall problems I get into on occasion as a cyclist.

He's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

great with "sickness" but doesn't seem to be as great with stuff one

might

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

encounter as an athlete. If I ask him for a scrip for an epi pen, he'll
give it to me without too much trouble I think. I was hoping to get some
basic info from someone else who might have a bee sting allergy to find

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

if it is something I should trouble the doc about. He doesn't have

hours

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Friday late or over the weekend anyway. If it's an emergency, I go to

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hospital, otherwise I wait until Monday morning when the office is open.

Cat

The adults most often stung by bees and wasps aren't "athletes" but folks

like

Quoted message said:

utility company repairmen, roofers, and landscapers so if your doctor has

any

Quoted message said:

patients like them (or children) he is likely familiar with the problem.
Here's a little basic info from one who has a very severe reaction to bee
stings. Reactions vary from person to person but are generally classified

as

Quoted message said:

mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.
Mild is what most people get- a little pain, some redness and swelling

that

Quoted message said:

lasts from a few hours to a day or two. Ice and over the counter

antihistamines

Quoted message said:

help.
Moderate- more and longer lasting swelling. Itching.
Severe- pretty much what you described except the swelling develops almost
immediately. Medical attention advised.
Very severe- Immediate swelling that rapidly spreads far past the sting

site.

Quoted message said:

Heart arrhythmia. Difficulty breathing. Requires immediate medical

attention.

Quoted message said:

If untreated can be fatal.

Only the last two require an epi pen.
If your swelling is subsiding now it's okay to wait until Monday to

consult a

Quoted message said:

physician.

Does that help?

Thanks, that helps a lot. The swelling is subsiding. I looked quite a bit
better this morning and much better this evening. I do have quite a
headache still, though. Now I only look like Richard Nixon, not Nixon after
a bar fight! I will speak to my doc tomorrow and inquire about an epi pen,
although I am not sure if I am supposed to use it whenever I get stung, or
just when I start to have a severe reaction. I am not sure if I will always
have such a reaction. I guess my doc should be able to answer all of those
questions.

Thanks!
Cat

Quoted message said:

"Jacques Moser" [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Are these "yellowjackets" nastier than regular wasps ?

There are many species of wasp. "Yellowjackets" is simply a term used by us
non-entymologists for some of them. They are much more aggressive than "mud
daubers" or "black hornets", two more generic terms that cover several species
of wasp.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Are these "yellowjackets" nastier than regular wasps ?

There are many species of wasp. "Yellowjackets" is simply a term used by

us

Quoted message said:

non-entymologists for some of them. They are much more aggressive than

"mud

Quoted message said:

daubers" or "black hornets", two more generic terms that cover several

species

Quoted message said:

of wasp.

I like it. If you read this newsgroup long enough, you can learn all sorts
of things. It's fun.

Not to turn this into a helmet thread but my silly foam hat with the big
holes caught another "yellow jacket" on today's ride. Those big holes sure
are good at catching bugs. And the yellow jacket crawled around on my bald
head long enough for me to finally take off the helmet and ask him to move
on.

Alfred Ryder said:

Not to turn this into a helmet thread but my silly foam hat with the big
holes caught another "yellow jacket" on today's ride. Those big holes sure
are good at catching bugs. And the yellow jacket crawled around on my bald
head long enough for me to finally take off the helmet and ask him to move
on.

You don't need the vents. Wear a baseball cap with a visor under the helmet
and see how much better it works.

The cooling you get from keeping yourself in the shade is much better than
cooling from the vents. You have lots of exposed skin area for sweating already.

AND, primary motivation, no bugs.
--
Ron Hardin
[email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Cat Dailey said:

Thanks David. I don't think I'd call it an electric shock...it hurt a bit
more than that. In fact, I was surprised at how much it did hurt ;< Do
you have a similar reaction now every time you get stung?

Yeah, pretty much.

Quoted message said:

And do you wait
to use the epi pen to see if you are having trouble breathing, or do you
just go for it whenever you get stung?

My pen went out-of-date before I  felt the need to use it. Usually the
immediate reaction is controllable, and after several hours you would have
the chance to take Benedryl or whatever, which is usually enough.

I worry most about multiple stings, which is when you'd really need it.

Quoted message said:

Cat
PS-We have ridden together before, you and I....

I thought so. Since I moved up to Bethlehem we probably will be less
likely to run into each other as often, but maybe someday soon. Good luck
with the sting.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "What am I on? I'm on my bike, six hours a day, busting my ass.
_`\(,_ | What are you on?" --Lance Armstrong
(_)/ (_) |

Jacques Moser said:

Are these "yellowjackets" nastier than regular wasps ?
I've been stung twice, while cycling, by wasps which got caught inside my
t-shirt. Both times I was worried that it could swell or that I could have
trouble riding back home.

No, yellowjackets are different from most wasps. They are more
aggressive, and their sting is more likely to cause trouble. Their stings
are more like hornets than, say, paper wasps.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a
_`\(,_ | conclusion. -- George Bernard Shaw
(_)/ (_) |

Quoted message said:

Mild is what most people get- a little pain, some redness and swelling

that

Quoted message said:

lasts from a few hours to a day or two. Ice and over the counter

antihistamines

Quoted message said:

help.
Moderate- more and longer lasting swelling. Itching.
Severe- pretty much what you described except the swelling develops almost
immediately. Medical attention advised.
Very severe- Immediate swelling that rapidly spreads far past the sting

site.

Quoted message said:

Heart arrhythmia. Difficulty breathing. Requires immediate medical

attention.

Quoted message said:

If untreated can be fatal.

So what does that mean for a guy like me who, when stung by a yellow jacket,
experiences a fair amount of pain initially, but the real fun doesn't start
for about a day, when the swelling can get rather monstrous? The first
time, my arm eventually swelled up to look like a football (and I've got
*very* spindly arms!). It was interesting... after the first day, the
swelling would move up the arm a bit further, until it reached its max five
days after the accident. Took another two days to subside. I did
eventually go to the Doctor, who called it a "severe toxic reaction" but
*not* allergic (and there were certainly no scary symptoms, aside from the
monstrous amount of swelling).

I much prefer getting stung by a bee. No big deal, hurts for a bit,
localized bump, but nothing at all like with a yellow jacket.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Well, bees sting only once - as to remove their sting, they leave part of theur
anatomy attached - they die. So if it's multiple stings, it isn't a bee. Could
be a wasp?

I have a bad allergic reaction to bites/stings - similar to what you described.
I am told by my doc I do not need an epi-pen as my breathing isn't affected.
Personally I'm none too happy about his attitude, as my reaction to
bites/stings is getting worse the older I get.

Go to your doc - explain what happened and the reaction of your body. With the
best will in the world, I don't tink too many of us on the NG are medical
experts, and as such, any advice should be treated as such. Get yourself to a
doc :-)

Cheers, helen s

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Quoted message said:

Ever heard of a blood sucking bee? <g>

I'm sure there's a movie to be made...

Cheers, helen s

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Quoted message said:

Well, bees sting only once - as to remove their sting, they leave part of
theur
anatomy attached - they die. So if it's multiple stings, it isn't a bee.
Could
be a wasp?

Well, that isn't strictly true. Like wasps there are many species of bees.
The species that most people think of as a "bee" is Apis melliflora or the
comman honey bee. The honey bee has a barbed stinger so she loses the stinger
on stinging and dies shortly after. It is always a "she" because stingers are
modified ovipositors (egg depositing devices) so males of wasps, ants and bees
do not sting ever.

Wasps can sting repeatedly but the effect depends on whether they injected most
of their venom in their first shot or not and I guess that depends on how badly
they want to get you. I know rattlesnakes often do "mock bites" where they
bite without erecting their fangs as a way of just hopefully scaring you off so
you leave him alone and they do not risk the loss of venom or the breakage of
their fragile fangs.

There are many other bee species (probably tens of thousands world wide) like
sweat bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees and so on. None of the bees is
particularly aggressive though except for the "killer bees" which are just a
variant of the honey bee with some african genes in it that makes them more
exciteable and aggressive. They don't pack anymore wallop.

There are piles of wasps, agains tens of thousands of species. Most wasps are
completely harmless. Wasps use their stings for 2 reasons: to kill prey
(usually insects) or for nest defense. Wasps that sting for nest defense are
the only wasps that would sting people. People generally get stung fooling
with their nests or ending up disturbing the wasp while it is out foraging for
food. Some common stinging wasps are things like yellow jackets (which don't
have that formible a sting in my opinion), bald faced hornets (far more
formible then yellow jackets), paper wasps (milder then yellow jackets & bald
faced hornets), velvet ants (a wasp and not an ant and the large species have
stings that are worse then a honey bee, bald faced hornet, yellow jacket, and
paper wasp combined or so I have heard, a common name is mule killer).

Wasps, ants and bees have pretty complex venoms which can be a acids, poisonous
enzymes, peptides or a mixture. Generally the reaction is a histamine reaction
so taking antihistamines on being stung especially if you have anything worse
then a localized pain and swelling is a good idea. As mentioned, in extreme
cases, people have difficulty breathing and their air way (trachea) can swell
shut causing death by suffocation (which I would bet is unpleasant to put it
mildly). In those cases a shot of epinephrine is the treatment.