Читать книгу Beekeeping For Dummies - Howland Blackiston - Страница 81

All bee stings hurt a bit, but not for long. Experiencing redness, swelling, and itching is completely natural. These are normal (not allergic) reactions. For a small percentage of individuals, more severe allergic or even toxic reactions can occur, including severe swelling beyond the immediate area of the sting and shortness of breath. In the worst cases, reaction to bee stings can result in loss of consciousness or even death. The most severe reactions occur in less than 1 percent of the population. To put that in perspective, more people are killed by lightning each year than die from bee stings.

As a precaution against a severe reaction, some beekeepers keep an EpiPen on hand (warning: they are pricy). EpiPens are available via your doctor by prescription. The EpiPen automatically injects a dosage of epinephrine (adrenaline). But be careful. Liability issues can arise when injecting another person, so check with your doctor (or even lawyer) beforehand.