Bee venom – allergy, drug, diagnosis, allergy

Bee venom, also called apitoxin, is the secretion of the venom gland from worker bees or from the mother bees. Bee venom is highly allergenic, but it is nevertheless used in the treatment of certain ailments.

What is the composition of bee venom?

Bee venom consists of histamine, dopamine, peptides and proteins such as melittin, apamine and mast cell destroying peptides, and enzymes; phospholipases and hyaluronidases. Most of the substances that make up bee venom are toxic – the venom is mainly used by bees to defend themselves in the event of a hive or a single bee being in danger.

Properties of bee venom

Bee venom is a slightly yellowish liquid; it can also be almost colorless. It has a characteristic smell of bitter honey and a bitter taste. It does not dissolve in alcohols, but it is soluble in water and weak acids. It is not resistant to solar radiation, oxidation and high temperatures. After getting into the bloodstream as a result of a sting, bee venom breaks down red blood cells, which can even lead to death. A single bee sting is generally not dangerous to a healthy adult human, but people allergic to bee venom should be alert. Multiple stings by a swarm of bees can endanger the life of even a healthy, strong person. Bee venom also contains alarm pheromones, so when one bee stings us, its companions are alerted that something is wrong and they can attack as well. Bee venom is not only a dangerous toxin, but also a substance that can be used in the treatment of various diseases. Treatment with bee venom is called apitoxin therapy.

Medicinal uses of bee venom

Treatment with bee venom was known already in the times of Charlemagne, who was cured of gout thanks to apitoxin therapy. Currently, this type of therapy is used successfully all over the world. One of the components of bee venom is mellitin, a substance that causes the breakdown of erythrocytes and strong contractions of smooth and striated muscles. Other substances contained in bee venom are toxic not only to humans – for example, phospholipase is great for fighting staphylococcal infections, and hyaluronidase increases the permeability of blood vessels. Thus, bee venom acts as a natural antibiotic and has an anticoagulant effect and prevents changes caused by atherosclerosis. In addition, it was found that the venom secreted by bees absorbs elements resulting from radioactive irradiation. Bee venom therapy consists in deliberately provoking the bee to sting the patient in a selected place. Usually this is the outer surface of the hip or shoulder. As a result of the sting, the venom enters the patient’s body and starts working. The first stage of apitoxin therapy lasts 10 days; each day the number of stings increases by one. Then, a 4-day break is taken, then in the next stage, which lasts 6 weeks, the patient is given 3 bee stings a day.

What ailments does bee venom therapy help?

Bee venom is very effective in treating diseases such as inflammation, arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatism, neurotic disorders, hypertension (a bee sting causes a drop in blood pressure), neuralgia, skin diseases and eye diseases. The ointment with the addition of bee venom is very helpful in treating keratitis. The substances contained in bee venom have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, according to some supporters of apitoxin therapy, they also increase the resistance and overall efficiency of the body, having a positive effect on it and helping to heal many diseases.

Contraindications to apitoxin therapy

An absolute contraindication to bee venom therapy is allergy to this substance. Such therapy should not be undertaken by patients with liver diseases and dysfunctions, pancreatic disorders, kidney diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, mentally ill and female patients. Before starting therapy with bee venom, the patient receives an injection of this substance. If you have an allergic reaction or if you have protein or sugar in your urine, you are not treated with this type of treatment. Bee venom therapy should always take place under controlled conditions, under the supervision and according to the doctor’s recommendations.