The definition of a bee allergy can be vague and is often the automatic choice of doctors when faced with a swollen and worried patient. The reason for this is simple, doctors tend to cover their arses and err on the side a caution.
This is what we have discovered through our 5 year old sons allergy...
1] Doctors are quick to define a swelling as an allergic reaction.
2] Bee venom is poison and therefore a reaction[swelling] is normal.
3] ONLY a blood test can confirm an allergy and the extent of the allergy
4] Only after your first bee sting will your body immune system be ready to respond to bee venom. In other words, only after your first sting will your body be allergic or not allergic.
Here is our story.
Thomas was 2 years and 2 weeks old when he was stung and went into anaphylactic shock [stung on his foot but his face was swollen, he coughed and struggled to breathe] and we had to rush him to hospital. At the hospital, the doctors did follow a predetermined procedure, but it was obvious to me that they did not have a deep understanding of the cause and effects. I suppose, because of our love of bees we asked more answers than the average parent and were frustrated that we were entrusting our child to some one who knew so little. So our journey of needing to understand bee venom allergies had begun.
After many phone calls I was finally referred to the UCT Lung Institute where I spoke to Sister Thomas. She immediately gave me solid advice and a sense of the way forward. The first thing she suggested was to take Thomas [poor little 2 yr old] for a blood test. This confirmed our worst fear, he was severely allergic and could easily die from a sting. [This was shocking, sometimes while holding a bee, I look at her in wonder and confusion that such a small and amazing creature could have such a powerful effect on my life.] We then equipped ourselves with the correct medicines to treat a sting. We were told to do the following if he was stung again [in this specific order] administer quick acting anti histamines orally, apply topical anti histamine cream, inject him with adrenaline, drive to the closest hospital. She suggested adrenaline ampules as the are much cheaper than an epi-pen [R10 vs R500]
She then offered us the choice of two long term solutions. And we opted for the immuno-therapy injections but had to wait till Thomas was three to start the treatment. He is now almost 6 and has just over one year left on the program. How it works is he was initially injected with minute amounts of bee venom every week [YES - Homeopathic] until finally he was after a 16 week program being injected with the equivalent of two bee stings. [albeit in a slow release protein and not injected directly into the blood] He then went only every two weeks, then finally only every 6-8 weeks for immuno-therapy. He now has less than 10 injections till the program is finished and was stung a few weeks back. His response was excellent and considered normal, he experience a localised swelling that subsided after a day or 2.
So it appears as if the treatment is really helping him.
Each bee sting is different, the potency of the venom can vary according to the age of the bee and the amount of venom that the bee injects into you. Also it is possible to be allergic and never have a full reaction, again only a blood test can confirm whether or not you are allergic.
Natural remedies are amazing and serve a great purpose, my homeopath said that Apic 30 C would support the healing process but would not stop anaphalytic shock or a severe allergic reaction. Bulbine or vygie also help minimise the reaction. But the reaction is due to poison that needs to not be suppressed but rather allowed [supported] to leave the body naturally. And this is where natural remedies are great.
Bee stings must be scratched off not pinched. Pinching it results in the venom sac being squeezed and all the venom enters the blood stream.
If you are trying to catch a swarm, rub Melissa Offialis [Sp?], commonly called Bee balm [or lemon balm] inside the hive. The scent attracts swarms.
Karl gently nudges the top bar loose and then adds a little more smoke, again to subdue them. And then gently starts to work from the outermost frame that the bees have worked.
He removes the last frame and shows his very eager students the difference between capped and uncapped honey.
Aah the reason we keep bees! YUM YUM. Kalla looks so well rested and happy! He loves his bees.
Karl shows them an older frame and again Greg is the ever eager student, Waving a salute!
Greg gets up close and personal with the beehive while Karl teaches him the fundamentals
AAAAHHH! Greg has his honey all tucked away from the bees!
More sharing of beekeeping ideas and bee biology. Rose is totally fascinated and loves look at the bees and the hive activity. 
Can you see the uncapped shining honey inside the comb? On the far left, you can see some capped honey.
Oh my! What has Karl found, he gently removes the bees with his bare hands to expose....
A brood frame with a queens cell at the bottom! Look at all the bees in his hand, he is so kind and gentle with them that he does not get stung.
Our basic equipment, excluding the hive tool.
