Bee Sting Allergy and Reaction

Living in Central Florida and maintaining a flower garden, one is more apt to experience a bee sting or two, or maybe three. I have a pink powder puff, Calliandra surinamensis in my front yard garden that attracts quite a bit of bees and wasps and less frequently butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. On Friday, April 26, 2019, I experienced my third bee sting, in little over one month's time. Almost immediately, I knew I was going to have a large local reaction. I already knew that I was very allergic to wasp stings, but now I'd say I have a definite bee sting allergy too.

Bee Sting on Pointer Finger of Left Hand - April 26, 2019

In this first photo, you can see the swelling on the top side of the pointer finger of my left hand. This was within an hour of the bee sting. This was my third bee sting, having been stung first on the ring finger of my right hand, and then a second bee sting on the right side of my face. The first bee sting had an allergic reaction with swelling that was pretty much contained to my finger. The second bee sting was like a fly-by where I moved quick enough to shake off the bee. That allergic reaction left a circular mark that blistered and scabbed and was slightly raised, but the swelling did not radiate.

Bee Sting on Pointer Finger of Left Hand - April 26, 2019

After an hour or so, after the bee sting, you can see how the swelling has progressed into the top of my hand with a rather circular swollen area. I had immediately washed with soap and water and applied white distilled vinegar to the bee sting area to help with the burning and stinging. Afterwards, I began applying ice compresses regularly.

Bee Sting on Pointer Finger of Left Hand - April 26, 2019

I took one Benadryl-equivalent allergy pill early on. By the end of the day, it was obvious that the allergic reaction would become a large local reaction as the swelling progressed into my left hand up to my wrist. I had taken a second Benadryl-equivalent allergy pill later that afternoon. By the next day, my other fingers were swollen.

Bee Sting on Pointer Finger of Left Hand - April 27, 2019

Two days later, on Sunday, after many ice compresses, it did not appear that the large local reaction was stopping. The top of my hand felt painful as I could feel more swelling. It seemed the swelling was progressing a bit past my wrist area. In the morning, I called my doctor on his cellphone and left a message that I had a large local reaction to my third bee sting. I mentioned probably needing a prednisone prescription and then a prescription for an epipen. I also mentioned I would be stopping by my Publix Pharmacy to get a second opinion from the pharmacist. I picked up a package of 24 Diphenhydramine antihistamine, allergy tablets and a tube of Hydrocortisone cream. When I got home, I took an allergy tablet and applied the cream to my left hand.

My doctor returned the call after 3pm that day and phoned in a prescription for Medrol dosepak, methylprednisolone. I picked up the Medrol dosepak after 4pm on Sunday and took tablets to get me caught up for the day.

Medrol Dosepak for Bee Sting Large Local Reaction - April 28, 2019

Previous Systemic Reaction to Two Wasp Stings

In February 2017, I had been stung for the fourth consecutive time by Carolina Polistes wasps. This time, I received two wasp stings to the crook of the elbow area of my right arm. It was immediately apparent that this was going to be a systemic reaction, not a large local reaction! Within minutes, I started feeling something was going on, but couldn't believe it would be life-threatening. Soon, I could feel my mouth area affected with a strong tingling sensation with my tongue and then lips, like my lips were being inflated! I had washed the area with soap and water and applied ice compresses ... but I thought I'd better take some Benadryl. I took one and then later a second tablet.

Since my primary care physician at the time was not available, but had the office closed that day, I phoned the Publix Pharmacy and was told to go to the ER. I decided not to go anywhere since I wasn't feeling that hot, but stayed home and tried to relax. The next day I stopped by the Publix Pharmacy and then drove over to the hospital ER. I wasn't treated there, but came back home. On Monday, I was able to see my doctor who said I had a lot of cellulitis going on and wrote me a prescription for prednisone twice a day for three days. She didn't prescribe Medrol dosepak. We did discuss getting an epipen, but didn't proceed with a prescription because of the cost. This experience was shared previously in my blog post about Epinephrine, the epipen.

Third Day of Large Local Reaction to Bee Sting

I have just started the second day's dose of the Medrol dosepak. It seems that after taking the first day's dose of 6 methylprednisolone tablets, the swelling in my left hand stopped progressing up into my lower arm. By the time of the second day's first dose, the overall swelling in my left hand and fingers was subtly less and a bit more comfortable feeling. Bending the bee sting finger was not as painful.

On Monday, April 29, 2019 at 10:30am, I was examining the pink powder puffs to see what kind of bees and other insects were there. I saw a good-sized bumble bee and looked closely to be sure it wasn't a carpenter bee. I've seen carpenter bees that come from the yard next door, but was confident I had a bumble bee. Not all the puffs were occupied by bees, but there were 3 honeybees on one puff which makes me wonder if there could have been two such bees buried into the puff that got me!

Since my activities each day with my pink powder puff could be described as almost a bee-tender, it probably makes sense for me to secure a prescription for an epipen!!

Bee Sting vs Wasp Sting

I was curious to know what is the general consensus on a bee sting vs a wasp sting as both of those stings hurt like crazy when I got stung. It feels like a hot, burning, electric-like shock in the sting area as it is happening. I'd rank the Carolina Polistes wasp sting up there for pain level, above the bee sting. Researching what they have to say about bee stings, it said it's all or nothing ... which I tend to not agree with. I almost wonder if the bee doesn't always lose its stinger. If a bee stings you and deposits its stinger, it can be up to 50 micrograms of venom which is a lot. The wasp is said to keep its stinger and inject from maybe 2 to 15 micrograms. The bee and wasp have different types of venom, but the allergic effects are similar.

In addition to bees and wasps, I am also allergic to fire ants. I've had doctor treatment after each one of these stinging events. To rate the sting levels from lower to higher, it would be fire ants, bees, and then wasps. Yes, I'd agree with that although I've had large local reactions to all three and approached a systemic reaction with fire ants and wasps ... so far, not bees.

Pink Powder Puff Calliandra surinamensis

The Pink Powder Puff is one of the most interesting plant-tree! Taking a look at the Pink Powder Puff growing in my front yard garden, you're not sure what it actually is. Is it a dwarf-tree, or a plant, or a shrub?

Pink Powder Puff Calliandra surinamensis - August 27, 2018 PM

I am fairly confident that this type of mimosa is the Calliandra surinamensis of the Family: Fabaceae and Subfamily: Mimosoideae. It is also known as Surinam Powder Puff, Pink Powder Puff, Pompon De Marin, Surinamese Stickpea, and Officiers-kwast. It originates in the country of Suriname, in northern South America.

Pink Powder Puff Calliandra surinamensis - November 14, 2017

My Pink Powder Puff is now about one year old. The first couple of months, into cold weather, the plant did not achieve the look you see in the first photo above. It was approaching one year of age before it started to look like a dwarf-tree with quite the canopy. Right from the early age, it did have plenty of powder puffs but I don't believe I ever saw the bean-like seed pods until September 2018.

Close-up view of the Pink Powder Puff - July 2, 2018

It was the month of September 2018 when I began to see what looked like bean pods sprouting all over my pink powder puff. Some had turned brown and opened. I decided to clip them off, dry them, and harvest the seeds.

Drying Seed Pods of Pink Powder Puff - October 2, 2018

Once you start clipping those pods, you realize just how many there are. I originally had only a few that I put on top of a bin in the shed. I couldn't understand a couple of days later why they were lying on the floor of the shed. Then I put the lot of them on a tray on top of the washer ... come back a day or so to find several out of the tray, on the washer, and on the ground.

Opened Seed Pod of the Pink Powder Puff - October 2, 2018

I was standing outside the shed and could actually hear them POP when they opened up and again they were not in the tray. Just like the Mexican jumping bean!!!

Seeds from the Pink Powder Puff - October 2, 2018

October 3, 2018, it was late in the afternoon, around 5:30pm. I was out in the shed going through the seed pods to pull out those that opened and didn't yet release the seeds and picking up the loose seeds. All of a sudden, I heard a very loud SNAP!!! as one opened up, flew up in the air, hit the side of my left hand little finger and then flew on the ground next to the washer. I have never heard of such a thing ... it was kind of a violent action ... and very very strange. I rather suspected something like that after finding these all askew in the shed and then hearing something yesterday about this time as I was standing just outside the shed with the door shut. Like, WHO KNEW???

October 4, 2018 around 3pm in the afternoon ... I was out checking on how many seed pods had opened ... quite a few ... when they started ferociously SNAPPING. I lost a few that escaped from under the netting and flew off to my left into the shed. I sincerely think these are SNAP PEAS!!

Researching the seeds, I found a reference that tells you how to prepare the seeds for best use. It seems you need to scar them ... one recommendation was with sand paper. So, I think I will grab my emery boards and go to it before I try planting these.

Scarified Seeds from the Pink Powder Puff - October 3, 2018

I found a bit of information on how the powder puff seeds should be prepared for planting. Although my variety is not the strigillosa, I believe this information is still applicable.

"Scarify and inoculate seed with strophostyles spec.1 before planting. Scarifying (nicking or roughing the seed coat) seed greatly improves germination, and establishment time after planting. Walker (2005) found that mechanically scarified seed ranged in germination from 74 to 85 percent. Pitman (2009) used sandpaper to scarify powderpuff seed and had similar results. The average percent germination of unscarified seed was 14 while the scarified was 96. In both experiments, physically roughing the seed coat resulted in better seed germination than unscarified, chemical or heat treatments. If scarified seed is unavailable, plant in the fall, and allow seed to over winter in the soil." --USDA-NRCS Powderpuff Mimosa strigillosa

October 3, 2018 at 4pm I had used a sandpaper emery board on 12 of the seeds gathered from the seed pods. I picked up a Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse seed starter kit to use.

Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse - October 3, 2018

This is the first time I am trying this type of seed starter. It seemed pretty straightforward on the use. Open up the package as shown and then pour 1-1/4 cups of warm water into the tray. The peat pods will swell up.

Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse Step 1 - October 3, 2018

You can see in the previous photo how the individual peat pods have swollen after absorbing the warm water.

Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse Steps 2-3 - October 3, 2018

In the next step, you gently open the tops of the peat pods by pulling at the netting cover. For the following step, I used a metal bottle stopper with a pointed-edge to create seed holes about 1/4 inch deep. I carefully dropped only one scarified seed in each hole although the kit recommends 2-3 seeds. I then gently covered the hole with the peat.

Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse Final Step - October 3, 2018

It's important to keep your kit covered as shown above. It should be kept out of direct sunlight. I placed mine on the kitchen sink near the outside window ... if I had enough room in the window base, I'd set it there. It is suggested that once you see a seedling that you should prop the cover open. And, once all seedlings have emerged, to remove the cover. You need to make sure you keep the peat pods moist. That's pretty much it ... now it is a waiting game to see if these seeds will sprout seedlings!! Hopeful.

EXPLODING SEED PODS

After witnessing many more of the ferociously opening SNAPPING seed pods, I started Googling to see WHY. First reference I found actually talked about exploding seed pods! about "the evolutionary innovation of a fruit wall that can store elastic energy through growth and expansion, and can rapidly release this energy at the right stage of development."

Exploded Seed Pod of the Pink Powder Puff - October 4, 2018

There are actually other plants that have the ability to shoot out their seeds! One plant has pods that can actually shoot out their seeds up to 50 feet! Boy, you have to be careful around these opening seed pods because you might lose an eye ... safety glasses recommended.

EXPLODED SEED PODS OF OCTOBER 4, 2018

It was a little earlier for me, in the afternoon of October 4, 2018, right around 3pm, when I was out in the shed tending to the seed pods. I had the white netting over them and could see that several had exploded open! At one time, the netting was actually askew from the ferocious nature of the exploding seed pods! I gingerly lifted the white netting cover and then SNAP!!! with such a force, a couple of the seeds pods opened and flew off the tray onto the shed floor. Holy smokes!

In the previous five photos, these were a handful of those seeds pods that fiercely opened or exploded as I was standing in the shed. Looking at each photo, you can see what seeds were still in the pod and indentations where the other seeds flew out. Pretty cool, eh??

HOW MANY PINK POWDER PUFF SEEDS?

Pink Powder Puff Seeds - Calliandra surinamensis - October 5, 2018

Take a look at the circular collection of pink powder puff seeds! I've lost a few into the shed floor, given a couple of the seed pods to neighbors, and still have a few to open. That could easily account for 40 more seeds. I planted 12 seeds in the Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouse. I also left many early opening seed pods on the plant ... no telling how many seeds got shot into the ground ... maybe 100 or so?

How many pink powder puff seeds to you think are in that circular collection? Overall, how many seeds do you think have been produced this year by my PPP plant? Hey, leave me a comment on your educated best guess! I'd love to hear from you.

Pink Powder Puff - Calliandra surinamensis - October 5, 2018 AM

Here is a morning shot of the Pink Powder Puff plant in my front yard garden! The late afternoon photos will show a more streamlined plant as the leaves seem to fold up for night fall. Pretty, isn't it?

PINK POWDER PUFF SEEDS - KNICKED

I've decided to try a second-go-around with 12 of the pink powder puff seeds. I had an empty pink egg carton available this morning. I grabbed my nail clipper and gingerly knicked or cut into the sides of the 12 seeds.

Pink Powder Puff Seeds Knicked - Calliandra surinamensis - October 5, 2018

Using organic potting mix, I filled the egg carton's twelve spaces. With the metal bottle stopper, I created little pockets in each of the soil-filled spaces. I dropped one knicked seed in each pocket and gently covered with soil.

Pink Powder Puff Seeds Knicked in Egg Carton - October 5, 2018

After thoroughly watering the soil until it was very moist, I covered the egg carton. I've labeled it with today's date and time initiated into the soil -- October 5, 2018 - 11:15am.

Pink Powder Puff Seeds Knicked in Covered Egg Carton - October 5, 2018 - 11:15am

To try and speed up the germination process, I have placed the covered egg carton on the outside lower step leading into my Florida Room. At the moment, it is getting some direct sunlight. I've also covered it with a dry dish rag. It should be out of the direct sunlight in maybe 1.5 hours. I will keep checking on it and move it into the shade if necessary!

UPDATE: Well, I hate to admit it, but I gave up on trying to grow the Pink Powder Puff inside. I have seen many a seedling popping up in my front yard garden ... I try to NOT pull them out, but let them be to see if another beautiful PPP might emerge.

MY ORIGINAL PINK POWDER PUFF

Julie Ann Brady - Pink Powder Puff - May 12, 2019

In the photo above, you can see a lot of growth on the edges which gave my PPP a drapey look. I decided to give it a bob haircut, so to speak.

Julie Ann Brady - Pink Powder Puff - May 15, 2019

My PPP weathered the bit of cold weather we had. I think there really wasn't a Winter to speak of in Leesburg Florida for the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019.

It is now March 2020! My PPP has had no issues with the previous Winter season spikes of cold weather. I can't tell you just how many times I have pruned the PPP to keep it contained within the space in the middle of my front yard. It has gotten so full and high that I need to use a rake to grab the projectiles for trimming. I have gotten so many compliments from neighbors passing by who marvel at the pretty pink powder puffs.

Julie Ann Brady - Pink Powder Puff - March 6, 2020

In the March 6, 2020 photo of my PPP you can see how it has taken on a heart-shape! That was not intentional but just sort of happened that way. I had trimmed the plant that morning and came inside to look out my kitchen window to take a photo. A heart is what I saw!!

Julie Ann Brady - Pink Powder Puff - March 13, 2020

One week later, on March 13, 2020, I climbed under the PPP and trimmed up about a foot and a half to clear growth from the base. It took a hand saw on a few of the tiny branches down below. I also pulled out the metal edging I had around the base that was put there to support the low-lying branches from lying on the ground.