Stickmaker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stickmaker) wrote2018-07-26 09:44 am
stickmaker) wrote2018-07-26 09:44 am
Stung
I found a yellowjacket nest the hard way, yesterday, while mowing. I got stung twice (as usual; for some reason, perhaps combined reflexes, every time this has happened I've been stung twice), once on my right elbow and once on my right wrist. I treated the stings with hydrocortisone ointment and finished mowing, very definitely avoiding that spot.
The nest was up against the foundation of my house, near the gas meter. Once I knew it was there I could see the half-grown (as expected for a new nest) yellowjackets flying in and out. I got the cats in and dusted the hole and the area around it with the insecticide powder I've used for yellowjackets before. Knew I might have to repeat that treatment the next day, but figured the danger was over.
Nope. Hours later, while watching TV, something stung me several times on the left side of my neck. I treated the stings, then looked for the culprit. No sign. I actually thought it might be a spider which had gotten into the Afghan I use as a pillow.
This morning I found a dead, juvenile yellowjacket near the window over the nest. Coincidence? No telling. However, I suspect that is what stung me last night, possibly receiving fatal wounds when I reacted to the sting. It desperately tried to make it home, only to find a closed window in the way. No idea how it got inside. Perhaps on my clothing. Perhaps following me when I ran inside after the initial stinging.
Better today, but I still have a lot of swelling and redness. I may call the doctor in a bit.
Update: I went to the doctor. My temp is up a bit; my BP is up a bit; there's a pair of red lines on the inside of my right forearm which might be due to an infection which came with the sting moving through my lymphatic system. I'm on a steroid. I'm on an antibiotic. I'm on large doses of Benadryl. I feel worse now than when I got up this morning.
The nest was up against the foundation of my house, near the gas meter. Once I knew it was there I could see the half-grown (as expected for a new nest) yellowjackets flying in and out. I got the cats in and dusted the hole and the area around it with the insecticide powder I've used for yellowjackets before. Knew I might have to repeat that treatment the next day, but figured the danger was over.
Nope. Hours later, while watching TV, something stung me several times on the left side of my neck. I treated the stings, then looked for the culprit. No sign. I actually thought it might be a spider which had gotten into the Afghan I use as a pillow.
This morning I found a dead, juvenile yellowjacket near the window over the nest. Coincidence? No telling. However, I suspect that is what stung me last night, possibly receiving fatal wounds when I reacted to the sting. It desperately tried to make it home, only to find a closed window in the way. No idea how it got inside. Perhaps on my clothing. Perhaps following me when I ran inside after the initial stinging.
Better today, but I still have a lot of swelling and redness. I may call the doctor in a bit.
Update: I went to the doctor. My temp is up a bit; my BP is up a bit; there's a pair of red lines on the inside of my right forearm which might be due to an infection which came with the sting moving through my lymphatic system. I'm on a steroid. I'm on an antibiotic. I'm on large doses of Benadryl. I feel worse now than when I got up this morning.