Venom

Honeybee venom is a vasodilator, an anticoagulant and a stimulant . When stung, reactions vary greatly from one person to another. Collecting venom Venom is obtained by stimulating the bees with an electric shock. This makes them feel under attack and they sting through a fine rubber membrane covering a recipient. The venom is then collected and lyophilized. Large quantities of venom are obtained by this method. Venom is one of the honeybee products attracting the most research.     Composition of venom The composition of venom is complex. It contains a scented substance, with a characteristic, pleasant smell which, unfortunately for us, works as an incredible stimulant on bees. The after effects of venom vary in function with the following points: · The amount of venom injected · the quality of the venom, dependent on the bee's age, race and food supply · the spot injected by venom · sensitivity of the person receiving the sting. As far as the person who has been stung is concerned, the reaction can be normal or abnormal (allergic reaction). Some people are immune to the effects of venom. A normal reaction The sting of a honeybee is always painful and this obviously discourages many lovers of honey and other bee products from taking up beekeeping themselves. On a purely physical level, most people get used to being stung fairly quickly and react very little, if at all. However, even people who have built up a resistance feel pain as soon as they are stung: a fairly sharp pain at first which eases for a few seconds, then strengthens before tapering off. In all, this only takes twenty to thirty seconds. A small spot appears, becomes red, spreads out, then hardens and starts burning painfully as the area swells. The full effects of the venom are felt the day following the sting and then steadily recede as the swelling goes down in the next few days. Allergies Reactions to honeybee venom can vary greatly from one person to another. For some people, just one sting can provoke a sensation of faintness, shivering, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, excessive sweating, shortness of breath. In the event of any of the above symptoms, a doctor should be consulted at once. Emergency treatment consists of removing the sting. Care must be taken not to pinch the sting between thumb and forefinger when removing it, or the remaining venom in the sting gland will be squeezed into the victim, increasing the dose. The best way to remove a sting is to flick it out with a knife or even a fingernail. The wound is insignificant. Remedies There are numerous popular remedies for stings. Some have proved their worth. To cite a few, applying vinegar or bleach, rubbing with parsley, onion, leeks or using heat to neutralize the venom (a cigarette end, etc.). Local application of antihistamines can also give some relief. Serious cases require medical attention. For people that know they are allergic to bee-venom, there are desensitization treatments available and these can greatly reduce or even neutralize sensitivity to bee stings. This type of treatment should only be administered by a medical specialist. This html page doesn't give you access to the index, video clips, links or slide shows and numerous commentaries. © Bernard Leclercq, All Rights Reserved