As well as Web MDs...
Before I get into the main story, I'd like to say that I'm not an optimistic person.
When shitty things happen, I am 100% incapable of seeing the upside of it...the silver lining... the opening of doors or windows or cupboard draws...blah blah blah.
So the only positive outcome that I can associate with a negative experience, is the ability to educate others...to share my newly gained knowledge in hopes of helping my my fellow man (and woman) to avoid similar experiences.
Excuse the cheesiness.
I promise there won't be anymore... so read on.
A little background story:
In the past month, I was bitten 5 or 6 times by an unknown insect.
Aside from the fire burning itchiness, I developed
cellulitis from the latest bite.
Cellulitis is a skin infection...and to echo Wikipedia: No, it is unrelated to what's on a celebrity's butt in the tabloids)
It's possible that my scratching caused bacteria to enter the blood stream, or sometimes repeated exposure to insect bites can cause infection to develop (I read that somewhere).
I didn't recognize the signs of infection, and tried to wait it out (or tough it out like we're so often taught)
Though I shouldn't really blame myself...just hours before landing in the emergency room, I went to see a doctor.
In hindsight I'm surprised he couldn't diagnose the infection because the signs were pretty obvious. Or at least warn me about the possibility and what to watch out for!!!
The main clue that he missed (C'mon! this is like Medical 101) is the RED STREAK.
Now this is where I credit the Internet for educating me and possibly saving my life.
While browsing Yahoo answers for insect bite related posts, I read a line somewhere that said "if a red streak develops, seek medical help ASAP"
That line caught my eye, so the moment I started to notice a slight red streak I went to the above said doctor.
Who despite my pointing out that there might be a red streak developing, passed it off as nothing (tsk tsk tsk).
Some symptoms that I had but didn't recognize as worrisome (but are signs of infection, so take note):
- Rapid increase in size of the swelling (from the bite)
- Numbness of the arm
- Slight feverish
- Weakness
- Barely noticeable red streak extending from bite site
- An overall ill feeling
Still trying to be the child that never cried at needles, I struggled to suppress the increasing panic that I felt and just tried to walk it off.
(All those complements about what a "brave little girl" I was must have gone to my head...)
After a trip to the grocery store and eating some ice cream, I thought I was better because the firery itch (to a point that I desired amputation) was gone...
When I finally took off my jacket, I saw that the bite has doubled in size in the last 1 or 2 hours.
The reason it doesn't itch as much was because my arm was completely numb, and and looked like it was about to give birth...
The previously barely noticeable red streak has grown to be about 6 inches long and 2 inches thick.
Is it finally time to panic?
I think so.
Thanks to a dear friend with a car and an unusually empty Emergency Room, I managed to get medical attention on time.
Because within half an hour spent at the waiting room, the red streak already progressed 3 or 4 inches.
At the time I didn't realize how serious the situation was.
Only after being informed by the doctor and doing more Internet research, did I realize that "red streak" was headed up my arm and straight towards the heart.
I probably would have went to sleep, had I not known to look for a red streak.
Given the state I was in, tired, weak and numb; I very well could have chosen to sleep.
Because I didn't feel any significant discomfort, I wouldn't have know to PANIC had it not been for the passing glance at Yahoo Answers (Thanks to whoever wrote that btw!)
(In medical term the red streaks are called Ascending Lymphangitis. Aka. Blood Poisoning. "Since lymph flows toward the center of the body, the signs of infection progress in the same direction. The obvious danger being the infection heading toward the heart." Quoted from
here)
I found out tonight that had I not receive treatment on time, and slept through it instead...
Let's just say...Yikes.
The point I'm trying to make is that a healthy dose of panic is necessary sometimes.
More appropriately, that timely medical treatment is crucial.
But knowing when to panic, so you know when to seek help, may be the most important thing here.
Knowledge is the key, but your internal instinct (the knot in your stomach that says: PANIC!) can be a sign also!
And hey, if you're a really laid back person that lives by the motto "Chill, it aint the end of the world, man." and just doesn't like to panic (aka. you're high)...then pretend.
Putting on a show for the doctor and nurses to see, can make sure you aren't ignored, and people might take you more seriously at the ER.
Because sometimes if you "look" fine, you will get left aside until it's almost too late.
Just trust me on this, I learned this the hard way a couple of years ago.
Putting on a brave face is soooooo 1958...
Anyhoo, I had to get antibiotics through an IV for an 4 days straight (I couldn't shower or bend my elbow :S), and continue to take antibiotic pills orally for 7 more days.
As of 12am today, I'm finally off antibiotics... Yay!
But appearently, once you contract cellulitis, it is more likely you'll get it again.
So if I get bit again, the same thing might happen, but antibiotics might get less effective. (Not sure if it's true, but if so...Crap!)
Except next time, I'm kickin' and screamin' my way to the ER the minute I see anything.
(Just in case, check out some tips on preventing infection from insect bite:
here. Coz not showering for 4 days... sucks.)
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