Nov

19

Taking The Sting Out of Bee Allergies

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Researchers in Switzerland have turned to the bee keeper in order to try and understand allergic reactions to bee stings. It seems that during the start of the year many bee keepers showed signs of allergic responses to bee bites, however this disappeared a few weeks into the season and the allergic reactions were gone. Bee keepers and those who  work with bee products are far more likely to develop bee allergies due to frequent exposure to bee dust.

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The study at the University of Zurich revealed after a average of 13 stings a week, it seemed that t-cells began to lesson the effect of the immune response. At first the venom produced histamines but as the bee keepers immune response began to adjust the t-cells responsible for this turned into regular t-cells muting the allergic reaction.  So at first stings that produced hives and rashes but by the end of the year in many cases no reaction were found. The cycle began again the very next year when the bee keepers started their season.

Researchers hope that by understanding how bee allergies work they can help bee allergy sufferers with purified venom injections. The study will help doctors understand dosage and timing that the venom should be given. With 3-5% of the population suffering from bee allergies, the study won’t make the pain of a bee sting go  away but it could help reduce symptoms in the future.

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