Summer sting

By Judy Fortin
CNN Medical Correspondent

We heard news this week about a reported increase in brown recluse spider bites, but I have my own bug story to pass along.

 While I was taking a walk last Saturday morning I was stung by a large, unidentified flying insect.  The “UFI” was buzzing around my head.  After I swatted it away, my new adversary took revenge by sinking its hypodermic needle-like stinger into my lower thigh. 

I screamed so loudly a passing car stopped to see if I was okay.  I forced myself to keep breathing as I walked with a limp for a mile and a half back home. 

I watched my wound grow from a tiny bump on Saturday to a five inch in diameter dark red mass on Sunday night.  I used some over the counter anti-itch cream, but the ointment stuck to my pants.  By Tuesday my colleagues in the CNN Medical Unit were trying to diagnose my malady.  Was it an infection?  Maybe it was blood poisoning.

By now you’re wondering why I didn’t get it checked out by a doctor.  I finally did just that on Tuesday afternoon.  The doctor measured the rash, checked for swollen glands, asked about my breathing and declared that I had a localized reaction to an insect sting. 

Relieved, I left the office with another tube of prescription-strength anti-itch cream and a warning that the rash may stick around for a week or more.  

I would like to head back out on my walking path tomorrow morning, but a week after getting stung I plan to coat myself with bug spray and this time, I’ll be on the lookout for any “UFIs.”  

How do you protect yourself from attacks by summer insects?  

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