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bee sting allergy test?

  • 29-05-2017 09:23AM
    #1
    sherper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭


    Hi there,
    I am new to beekeeping and was wondering does anyone know of where you can get yourself tested for allergy to bee stings.
    I can't remember ever getting stung so would like to know in advance if I am allergic or not before I spend alot of money on the setup.
    Is there any place in Cork that does it, would anyone know?
    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • #2
    brianmc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 868 ✭✭✭brianmc


    sherper wrote: »
    Hi there,
    I am new to beekeeping and was wondering does anyone know of where you can get yourself tested for allergy to bee stings.
    I can't remember ever getting stung so would like to know in advance if I am allergic or not before I spend alot of money on the setup.
    Is there any place in Cork that does it, would anyone know?
    Thanks in advance

    I don't know the answer so maybe my reply isn't very helpful.

    My own advice to beginners is to take as many opportunities as you can to get exposure to hives and working with the bees as you can before you invest. A sting will come. The likelihood of being "properly" allergic to stings is low. Actually getting stung before you start though has the advantage of knowing what a sting feels like... people vary from barely blinking in reaction to never wanting to go near the bees again. (Rarely the latter!)


  • #3
    sherper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭sherper


    Thanks BrianMc
    I am going to go with an experiencing beek for the first few goes and take a few stings intentional over a few visits to see if I am okay with stings. Will be about 20 mins away from a doctor if worse comes about and will also get an epipen for my first year until I know I'm not allergic to bee venom.
    Thanks for the advice


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,654 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I think you are worrying unduly. My understanding is that bee anaphylactic reactions are very rarely first time reactions. The pattern is that you would show increasingly severe reactions to subsequent stings, instead of reactions staying the same or decreasing.

    If you are a beginner, it would be really worth your time to do a proper course. There you'll learn the theory and get practical experience. The courses are run all over the country every spring.


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