There are creams available which include bee venom
(e.g. Forapin and Apicosan in Germany, Apivene in
France and Immenin in Austria) which are used for
external application on arthritic joints [107], [94]. Bee
venom therapy can also be delivered in the form of Bee
Venom Balm although this may be less potent than using
live bee stings [8].
Tablets can be impregnated with quantities of bee
venom, but [94] recommended the removal of toxic
proteins, such as Melittin and the use of colours to
indicate different dosages. The tablets should be placed
under the tongue, but no indication is given to the effect
or usefulness of such a preparation.
Some specialized laboratories may be able to separate
and purify different venom compounds and sell them to
scientific and pharmaceutical laboratories. Phospholipase
A2 and highly active peptides are among some of the
proteins purified from bee venom for scientific suppliers
or laboratories [105]. Entry to this limited market requires
a highly sophisticated laboratory and very well-trained
technicians and chemists.
Ointments can be prepared by thoroughly
homogenizing bee venom with white Vaseline,
petrolatum or melted animal fat, and salicylic acid, in the
ratio of 1:10:1. The salicylic acid softens the skin, increases
its permeability and is a treatment for rheumatism even
on its own. The ointment may contain a small amount of
silicate crystals to act as an abrasive [94]. Other
preparations consist of mixing bee venom with sterile,
injectable fluids and packaging them in single dosages in
glass vials or syringes. In some packages the dry venom
is kept separate from the fluid and the two are mixed
when the vial is broken [8].
Though not directly related, bee sting emergency kits
can be sold in some countries, particularly to people who
are allergic. They also should be at hand for any
beekeeper working with honey bees or Africanized
honeybees and at training centres, police and fire
departments, in areas with Africanized honeybees. In the
USA, they are now available only against a prescription.
Such a kit (e.g. Anakit by Hollister Stier, USA, as cited by
[8]) should contain at least: One syringe with a
premeasured content of epinephrine (adrenaline) or
atropine, for immediate intramuscular injection - usually
0. 3 m1 of a diluted solution of epinephrine (1:1000) in
saline solution. There are special, easy-to-use, syringes
available from bee supply houses or through pharmacies,
which can even be used through clothing (Epipen by
Centre Laboratories, USA); anti-histamine tablets;
tourniquet and instructions about when, where and how
to use the syringe and anti-histamine tablets; when not to
use epinephrine, and where to seek medical help.
Epinephrine injections should be given only in extreme
emergencies when no other medical help is available. The
sting emergency kit has a limited shelf-life and should be
kept refrigerated when not in use.
10 BUYING AND STORAGE THE BEE