Human Health

Basic Assessment: describe the possible effects of stings on humans and be able to recommend first aid treatments.

Stings Anaphylaxis Effect on nature Sugar

Here, I discuss our relationship with bees. First, how they are good for us, then the dark side: stings, death from sugar and anaphylaxis.

Why get involved with bees?

Most beekers do it because it’s fun and they like honey. It is so much fun that an occasional sting doesn’t matter. Stings through gloves are usually no worse than a rose-thorn prick. An occasional sting is painful, but after shouting a few expletives, the worst of the pain has abated. After several stings, your body often becomes accustomed to them so that no swelling or redness occurs.

Nature assumes a new significance when you keep bees. Violets flower in the shade, and are an early source of nutritious pollen and nectar.Its flowers can be used to decorate salads If I wasn’t a beekeeper I would never have looked that up. People with Violets growing in their lawn are blessed whereas those that poison it, enjoy an ecological disaster.

1. Beekeeping offers a rare opportunity to witness the marvels of nature up close. Bees are fascinating because of their intricate social structure and behaviour.

2. A honey crop can be like growing giant vegetables.

3. To earn a living, There are professional beekeepers, but they work hard and don’t get rich.

4. Love. Most hobby beekeepers are sentimental about bees. Some refer to them as their “girls”. Perhaps they even love them. Most hate saying goodbye when they become infirm. A friend with poly hives and little experience of dead outs suffered a winter loss and subsequently ruminated incessantly, “What could have gone wrong?” Another, who had to destroy a vicious colony, repeatedly told me,“It was one of the awful things I have ever done“. Bees put one's relationship with your partner into perspective.

5. Beekeeping is not just a hobby; it's a journey of discovery. Any beekeeper, regardless of their experience, has the potential to make significant discoveries and innovations.

6. Production of wax and healthcare products. It is claimed that propolis has multiple and diverse health benefits, from cancer treatment, prostatitis, respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, etc. It is antiseptic and has been used as a remedy since the pharaohs. This may be enough evidence for some people. At least, it is unlikely to be harmful. I recommend you interpret the claims of small, unblinded trials with caution. Like the benefit of eating rhino horn. Here is a nice research - propolis and respiratory disease. Medical-grade Manuka honey helps skin ulcers heal.

7. Pollination services: Our orchards need pollinators. For example, American almond plantations require 1.4-1.5 million honey bee colonies annually.

Reasons to avoid keeping bees

Stings

When you start, stings can be a real turn-off and can make you feel a bit ill. Plunging your fingers into a swirling mass of bees is scary, and a defensive reaction is normal. Persevere, and several stings later, you should feel better, and your fear diminish. But some people decide that beekeeping does not suit them. When you get your bees, ensure they are from docile stock.

When you get stung, disrupt the stinger as soon as possible. The method is not critical. Brush or push it so that the stinger apparatus that is pumping venom is removed. After a few stings, the area around the sting no longer swells and only gets red and itchy or even no reaction. If you get local swelling and enjoy first aid, apply a cold compress like a pack of frozen peas or a cold teabag. Elevation won’t help much unless you raise the affected part higher than the level of your heart. You could apply a cream for stings and take an antihistamine tablet and paracetamol.

If you react badly, this is called a Severe Localised Reaction (>10 cm swelling). It is alarming but does not lead to generalised effects. However, you may want to see your GP. A reaction that makes your whole arm swell up isn’t so bad. But, if a bee stings you in your mouth, it could be life-threatening (although when it comes to risk, bear in mind that bees don’t eat sandwiches; wasps do). If you react badly, consider taking an antihistamine before you do an inspection. Stings on the face are particularly painful and can make you look like a real bruiser. Before carrying out an inspection, remove your rings before a finger or ring needs cutting off. The venom of wasps and honeybees are entirely different, so reacting to one does not imply that you are sensitive to the other.

When you remove your bee suit, beware; bees often cling on, so flail yourself with your arms. Every bee shed would benefit from a mirror.

Anaphylaxis

This serious, but rarely fatal condition is characterised by the sudden onset of a variable complex of symptoms within 20 minutes of a stimulus, certainly within 40 minutes. It causes a spectrum of symptoms and comes unexpectedly. 80% of cases are presaged by a rash. If you show any signs, call 999.

Nature - we need wild pollinators

Honey bees do a lot of pollination jobs, but this can be a problem when they conflict with wild pollinators; too many honey bees in the wrong place are a problem, and that depends on the amount of forage available. I discuss this in the insect decline and importance of bees.

The Problems with Bees — Scientific American

Decline of flying insects — Germany

Bugs matter