Well, I don't have a question--I'm just disappointed and thought you all would understand. I had planned to get two hives in the spring and keep bees, but as of this evening I'm certain I'm allergic to honey. The past year or so, when I've eaten honey I've noticed my lips burn and tingle; really an unpleasant feeling. Tonight they swelled up to twice their usual size and I can't ignore the connection anymore. It wouldn't make much sense to keep bees if I can't even taste the honey to see if it's good! Oh well, I'm not too heartbroken; maybe I can plan a really killer herb garden instead:o)

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 18, 2001

Answers

Hi Elizabeth! I have found that honey aggrivates my asthma. Also a herbal mix that I took that had bee pollen in it! Perhaps this is more common than we think? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Hi Vicki! Yes, I found a surprising amount of references to this when I did a search this evening. I always thought of honey as what people take to *lessen* allergy symptoms, not aggravate them! Isn't there a saying, "One man's cure is another man's bane;" if not, there ought to be:o)

Take care,

Elizabeth

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 18, 2001.

Elizabeth- consider the possibility that the honey you ate contained pollen from a plant to which you might be allergic. Are you eating honey purchased from a local beekeeper, or from the store? Do you know what the nectar source is? Is it always the same honey, or different kinds that you react to? Here is something else to consider- there are many reasons to keep bees other than just for the honey. And even if you can't eat it yourself you can always give it to friends and family as a gift, or sell it. Beekeeping is the most enjoyable hobby I have and I would hate to see you miss out on it just because you can't eat the honey.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), December 18, 2001.

Go see an alergy (sp) specialist (doctor) & find out for sure. As someone else said, you might be alergic to the pollen/nector some types of honey are made from. Also was the stinging/swelling just in the lips? Did you have any trouble with your tongue or throut(sp)? Any other simptoms/reactions? Sometimes a hive can get contaminated. If this happened & the caretaker of the hive was inexperenced, the honey could get buy without notice that something was wrong.

Good luck

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), December 19, 2001.

Elizabeth, it is possible that you could be allergic to the bees' stings too....so I think I would investigate that herb garden!

allergies can be dangerous! believe me I know!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

Like the people said, investigate and find out. It is really no fun at all having everything swell up and turn bright red and blotchy and puffy - skin, eyelids, inside of your throat, etc. Can be quite life- threatening if you can't breath. In my case, it was fungal spores - a particular rare kind. If I hadn't had hayfever and had antihistamines with me, I might not have survived. Only happened twice in my life and that was two times too many. I never go anywhere without antihistamines now - it was frightening. You have the potential for this - in fact, you've been sensitised by whatever it was, so the next exposure could evoke a much more violent response.

Like the people said, it's likely a response to a particular plant, or possibly mould as in my case (or maybe bees). Whatever, get a full battery of tests done - this could be life-threatening when at some unknown time in the future you stumble across the same allergen again.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), December 19, 2001.

Your experience is interesting. One of my relatives, who is a beekeeper, and has been for years, is of the opinion that eating the honey of your local area desensitizes you to such allergies over time. But it has to be local honey--none of this stuff coming from who knows where that is mixed and often cut with syrup. I did remember that honey made from some particular plant (forget which one) exclusively was toxic, and maybe that is the case here.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), December 19, 2001.

I don't keep bees anymore due to their high maintenance requirements as well as the fact that they are not native to my continent (North America). Heck, chickens are easier and hardier to look after than these infernal fragile bees. Between the nosema and mites, etc. I was checking them at minimum once a week. Sheesh. A big deal of lifting out frames, etc.

Can you plant sorghum or maple trees? ;)

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), December 20, 2001.

I dont have an answer, but was wondering if anyone has heard of severe allergy to honey, including semi-paralysis, numbness, headaches, etc. Please respond with any information you may have. THANKS, Kim

-- Kim Thomas (kbottoni@bigfoot.com), February 19, 2002.