Editing Beekeeping (section)

=== Stings===
{{main|Bee sting}}

Some beekeepers believe pain and irritation from stings decreases if a beekeeper receives more stings, and they consider it important for safety of the beekeeper to be stung a few times a season. Beekeepers have high levels of antibodies, mainly [[Immunoglobulin G]], caused by a reaction to the major antigen of [[bee venom]], [[phospholipase]] A2 (PLA).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=HELD|first1=W.|last2=STUCKI|first2=M.|last3=HEUSSER|first3=C.|last4=BLASER|first4=K.|title=Production of Human Antibodies to Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 in Vitro|journal=Scandinavian Journal of Immunology|date=February 1989|volume=29|issue=2|pages=203–209|doi=10.1111/j.1365-3083.1989.tb01117.x|pmid=2922572|s2cid=40844101}}</ref> Antibodies correlate with the frequency of bee stings.

The entry of venom into the body from bee stings may be hindered and reduced by protective clothing that allows the wearer to remove stings and venom sacs with a simple tug on the clothing. Although the stinger is barbed, a worker bee's stinger is less likely to become lodged into clothing than human skin.

Symptoms of being stung include redness, swelling and itching around the site of the sting. In mild cases, pain and swelling subside in two hours. In moderate cases, the red welt at the sting site will become slightly larger for one or two days before beginning to heal. A severe reaction, which is rare among beekeepers, results in [[anaphylactic shock]].<ref name=":0" />

If a beekeeper is stung by a bee, the sting should be removed without squeezing the attached venom glands. A quick scrape with a fingernail is effective and intuitive, and ensures the venom injected does not spread so the side effects of the sting will go away sooner. Washing the affected area with soap and water can also stop the spread of venom. Ice or a cold compress can be applied to the sting area.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|author1=Mayo Clinic Staff|title=Bee Stings-Treatments and Drugs|url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bee-stings/basics/treatment/con-20034120|website=Mayo Clinic|access-date=3 April 2016|archive-date=12 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412194230/http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bee-stings/basics/treatment/con-20034120|url-status=live}}</ref>