Flying Critter Sting

[Veronica]

At the end of our ride yesterday something flew into my face. I brushed it away and it hit my leg and stung me. I woke up this morning with the area around it red and swollen. It got a little worse during our ride today - the gripper of my shorts was sitting right on it. We're monitoring for signs of infection of course.

It's the itchiness that gets me! I just want to scratch at it, but that only makes it more itchy!

I have no idea what the blasted thing was. I'm typing to keep from itching!

Veronica

[badgercat]

Yuck. I had a sort of similarly odd situation once out on a walk during an retreat in high school. Something flew into my face--didn't really hurt at the time, I just thought it was a bug with bad aim or something. But by the time I got back from my walk, I had like an itchy pink marble on my forehead. One of the retreat leaders offered me some Benadryl, which helped quite a lot (and I've used that since then, for random other itchy bites).

Have you tried any antihistamines? If you're worried about getting drowsy from Benadryl, you could also try topical anti-histamine cream instead, or a non-drowsy pill like Claritin?

I hope it clears up soon!

[Veronica]

I hadn't thought of taking some Claritin. I've been going through the topical stuff in our first aid kit. It works for a couple of hours.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. Hope you feel better soon.

I can totally sympathize - I've been dealing with an awful rash on the back of one knee that I have no idea what it is. It's ugly and really itchy. The walk-in clinic gave me a script for a combo steroid/antifungal, I think just on the basis that that will take care of 90% of rashes. I'm just hoping it isn't mange from these stray dogs that I've had contact with... If I have to go to a dermatologist it could be weeks before I can get an appointment.

[jessmarimba]

Try the Benadryl spray or cream right on the spot...should temporarily relieve the itching without any of the other effects.

[maillotpois]

Sorry - that stinks. I like that Sting Eeze stuff that comes in the yellow bottle with the green lid. I can't generally find it at drug stores; just places like REI.