Important Facts About Bee Venom Therapy For Lyme Disease

By Brenda Warner


While bees may be considered to very dangerous when it comes to their stings, they are a useful source of medicine. The use of bee venom therapy for lyme disease is a practice that has been ongoing for decades. The therapy is very useful especially in minimizing reactions to allergies including those as a result of the same bee stings. Patients with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and nerve pain can also benefit from this treatment.

Out of the three main components (amines, enzymes and peptides), at least eighteen products of pharmaceutical potential can be obtained. It is believed that the venom works by modifying immune response to external attack. The extract also facilitates cortisol production. While the product was initially applied directly through a bee sting, modern day technology has made it possible to package this product as injections, creams and ointments.

Ironically, the traditional method of application has been shown to be the most effective as it involves direct stinging without subjecting the venom through technological processes. Potency of the agent is directly related to availability of pollen grains for the bees. This is maximum during the fall season and lowest in winter.

The therapy is likely to be effective in people who are allergic to bee stings. A specified number of shots when given subcutaneously provide ninety nine percent protection. Over the next half to a full decade, the possibility of reacting to venom is between five to ten percent. The purified form has been tried, tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA.

Some side effects may be experienced when the shot is given. Some of them include redness, swelling and rashes. Other effects not related to the skin include shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. These reactions vary from one individual to another and may not even be there for most people when administered by a qualified professional. They are commonly seen in people with extreme allergies, women and those who use honeybee venom.

There are certain situations in which this kind of therapy is contraindicated. Pregnant women should be given these shots with caution as very high doses can result in miscarriage. This is because of the high levels of histamine produced that cause the uterus to contract. Similarly, the agent should be avoided in autoimmune diseases as the immune system is triggered to overactive levels that worsen the disease.

Anaphylactic shock is a serious life threatening condition that may be experienced by patients undergoing treatment with the agent. The victim goes through a series of hypersensitivity reactions that may result in loss of consciousness and even death. To counteract the reaction, the patient should be given an epinephrine shot and taken to the hospital for close monitoring.

While this therapy may be beneficial in certain cases, further research needs to be done on others to ascertain the effectiveness. Some of the conditions that need further evaluation include multiple sclerosis and neuritis. Although, most bee farmers do not usually suffer from arthritis, scientific evidence is needed to know for sure that the venom can be used as a remedy.




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