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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Getting Bitten
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 08:47 AM
Do you guys get any weird reactions to insect bites and things ? I got bitten on the arm 2 days ago (I think) and my forearm swelled up like a mini golf ball. Then I looked yesterday and there was a red line travelling up my arm, which suggests infection or blood poisoning. However, I think I've managed to stop it but it was freaky all the same !
Anyone else had that ?
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2012, 08:55 AM
Once I has been bitten by some of these in my back....
I was a child, I was washing my father's car and I didn't see the honeycomb (is it well said?) that was in a bush in the garden. It really hurt but nothing serious happened.
Posted by: Yash Jun 15 2012, 08:59 AM
Go see a doctor Ben. NOW !!!!!
Jeff Hanneman was bit by a spider, and I suspect something like this hapenned, and It developed into Necrotizing fasciitis. Basically, your skin will start eating itself up and it may get bad, very bad. Rush to a doctor NOW !!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis
(Gore warning, some bad images you won't want to see maybe, don't know if you're strong enough)
Ben, I wish this doesn't happen to anyone. I'll be praying for your well being. It may even require skin grafting. In other words, Its BAD, VERY VERY BAD.
Take care of yourself man. 
And, I don't want to scare you. Its just my observation. Hanneman was bitten by a spider in 2011 and it lead to this. And he's having skin grafts, getting immuno supressors. He is even learning how to walk again. Hope you're OK
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 09:19 AM
Jeff Hanneman was bit by a spider, and I suspect something like this hapenned, and It developed into Necrotizing fasciitis. Basically, your skin will start eating itself up and it may get bad, very bad. Rush to a doctor NOW !!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis
(Gore warning, some bad images you won't want to see maybe, don't know if you're strong enough)
Ben, I wish this doesn't happen to anyone. I'll be praying for your well being. It may even require skin grafting. In other words, Its BAD, VERY VERY BAD.
Take care of yourself man.
And, I don't want to scare you. Its just my observation. Hanneman was bitten by a spider in 2011 and it lead to this. And he's having skin grafts, getting immuno supressors. He is even learning how to walk again. Hope you're OK
Hi Yash, don't worry, it's not a spider bite, it's a bite from something called a Horse Fly. They can be painful (although it wasn't) and will swell up. They are also quite common. It's recommended you take ant-histamine tablets, anti-inflammatories and even applying vinegar to the bite will help clear it up. I've done all those things and it's improved amazingly overnight so it's ok. Thanks for your concern though. The Jeff Hanneman thing did run through my mind but thankfully it's not that !
Posted by: Yash Jun 15 2012, 09:26 AM
Anyone would get scared after listening to what happened to Jeff. And maybe British insects are different than Indian insects.
We don't take anything after getting bitten. Just apply an ointment
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 09:44 AM
We don't take anything after getting bitten. Just apply an ointment
Yeah I think spider bites seem to be more common and serious outside of the UK.
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 15 2012, 09:46 AM
Entomology is somewhat of a specialty of mine. Yes Yash, insects in hotter cliamtes are more brutal. Which is why Indian insects are so much more dangerous than British ones. You Indians even have to deal with Tsetse Flies, which are one of the few insects I would kill with fire.
We actually had a Brown Recluse in my house that laid eggs. I caught her and put her in a terrarium with her eggs and let them hatch. Soon after, I put them outside and they all left. It was a great couple of weeks documenting that.
We actually have the two best entomology schools in the world here in California. One of them is UC Davis, which is closer to SirJamsalot, and the other is UC Riverside, which is about fifteen minutes from my house. It was a big struggle for me in secondary school to decide whether or not I wanted to study music or Entomology. I decided to make insects my hobby, but I love insects SO MUCH. I love nature more than anything really.
I am... odd.
Here is an awesome article I read last month that does display some more 'terrifying' insects from the UK in a non-threatening way. Wood ants, or Formica, as they are formally known, even have slaves. They are practically a race of super ants that could dominate all the other species if they had the initiative.
http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/my-isle-of-wight/blogs/ant-science/
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 09:51 AM
http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/my-isle-of-wight/blogs/ant-science/
Ants have slaves ???
Man.....
Posted by: Yash Jun 15 2012, 09:59 AM
I don't think we have to deal with Tsetse flies. As far as my knowledge goes, they are the secondary host for W.bancrofti, which causes Elephantasis, which has become quite rare now here.
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 15 2012, 10:56 AM
http://billericky.hubpages.com/hub/Poisonous-and-venomous-snakes-and-spiders-in-India
It isn't a very common occurrence in India because they have only been there for about five years, but the issue does exist. It is just much more small scale compared to Africa. They have it, and just about everything else bad.
Man.....
Yeah. And wood ant Colonies are HUGE. They average about 40k ants and each of them usually live about 45-60 days on average.
The only insect I am actually "scared"(I think I am more intrigued than anything.) of is the Japanese Hornet.
Although I heard that a recent evolutionary trait in the Japanese Bee is taking place. I cannot confirm it 100%, but my sources told me that Japanese Bees now do the coolest thing EVER! They supposedly documented a case of Japanese Bees swarming around a singular Japanese Hornet(s) by ambushing them en masse. The temperatures inside the swarm became so hot that the Hornet(s) actually died.
Nothing in the insect world is cooler than the Centipede, though. They can take on adult snakes, spiders... just about everything.
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jun 15 2012, 11:07 AM
Yep, shouldn't be reading this thread, not a huge fan of bugs. So as I'm reading this see a video of bees, the dog brushed against me and I almost hit the ceiling! 
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 15 2012, 11:47 AM
Posted by: Yash Jun 15 2012, 11:50 AM
Man.....
You didn't know that
Oh Ben It isn't a very common occurrence in India because they have only been there for about five years, but the issue does exist. It is just much more small scale compared to Africa. They have it, and just about everything else bad.
Yuk, I hate bugs, especially house flies, really. And those animals are found only in rural areas. I live in the capital, so I only fear mosquitoes and house flies mostly
And Nhilist, are you a post graduate or at least a graduate in Entomology ????
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 12:00 PM
Oh BenOne of those pieces of info I learned but forgotten
Posted by: Dinaga Jun 15 2012, 12:25 PM
Anything that can give you rabies will probably kill you if you don't treat it fast.
I watched a documentary on Animal Planet about a girl who got bitten by a bat in the church. Rabies have 100% mortality rate if not treated right away. She was the first one who survived late stages of rabies because the doctors put her in a coma so her brain doesn't get infected and to give her time to build an immune system. However, she almost died in the hospital and after she recovered she had to re-learn writing, walking and other basic things...
http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk/misc/jeannagiese.html
Dangerous stuff!
I myself was lip-stung by a bee who got in my pepsi can. I was also bitten by a tick and luckily I noticed it fast enough so I can treat myself with an antidote! And bitten by numerous dogs 
Posted by: JTaylor Jun 15 2012, 12:41 PM
After reading several posts by our friend Yash, I no longer wonder why most of the doctors here in the US are from India.( In case anyone is wondering, that is meant as a compliment )
I think Yash and Nihilist1 need to play a game of hangman!
Ben, I hope your arm is better!
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 15 2012, 01:03 PM
Nope. I do manage to have a lot of knowledge stored in my brain about insects, though. I have quite a few books as well. It was actually the first thing I was ever interested in without anyone else influencing me. I used to take a little plastic aquarium with me to school and I would collect insects. My first real memory is probably what started this. We had a project in Grade 1 where we captured caterpillars and we nurtured them until the metamorphosed into White-Lined Sphiinx Moths.
http://www.calflora.net/butterflies/whitelinedsphinxmoth.html
One of my favourite activities that aren't related to music is going to the Los Angeles natural History Museum. They have an entire floor dedicated to insects. on this floor there is an "Insect Zoo" with over 30,000 different species and they have a total of about 80,000 species of dead insects on display.
Fun Fact -- If you were to take everything that is classifiable by Biology, every fourth item would be a beetle. Here is an example:
Human, rose, bear, stag beetle, salmon, dog, cat, hercules beetle
There really are that many different types of beetles.
Definitely, Dinaga. I would most certainly do everything in my power to never contract rabies.
Check this awesome video out. I can't believe I forgot all about it!
Posted by: Dinaga Jun 15 2012, 01:09 PM
I couldn't help but laugh at this
Posted by: WeePee Jun 15 2012, 01:17 PM
Hey Ben did you get bitten before doing MAB lesson ? If so catch one of those bastards and send here 
Otherwise this topic is very interesting. 
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 15 2012, 01:31 PM
Posted by: Yash Jun 15 2012, 02:02 PM
)I think Yash and Nihilist1 need to play a game of hangman!
Ben, I hope your arm is better!
Thanks JTaylor
And, which post are you talking about ???I am one of those few 17-year olds who are actually interested in medical science.
Most others in India are interested in engineering or MBA, or even better, Engineering + MBA, this combination works a lot and I hate those who do this. I mean what is the point of MBA if you're an engineer.
Others who try getting into a Medical college are exceptionally hard working, and to be very honest, I am not hard working at all.
Therefore, I am most probably not going into a Medical College this year.
(PS - By hardworking I mean those who mug up everything without UNDERSTANDING, only a small % are those who are intelligent and hardworking,)
http://www.calflora.net/butterflies/whitelinedsphinxmoth.html
One of my favourite activities that aren't related to music is going to the Los Angeles natural History Museum. They have an entire floor dedicated to insects. on this floor there is an "Insect Zoo" with over 30,000 different species and they have a total of about 80,000 species of dead insects on display.
Nice to hear that.
Human, rose, bear, stag beetle, salmon, dog, cat, hercules beetle
There really are that many different types of beetles
I know that, I studied Animal classification in a little detail in High School.
Otherwise this topic is very interesting.
Send it to me too
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 04:08 PM
Otherwise this topic is very interesting.
No, otherwise I would have bottled it and studied it !
Posted by: Marcost Jun 15 2012, 04:47 PM
Hey Ben if it makes you feel any better I had exactly the same last weekend, one on each side of my abdomen and I'm in the UK too. Must have been mossies or midges cos it happened outside after dark
Definitely the last time I run naked round my garden at night 
They felt like two golf balls the day after and very hot & itchy. My arm even felt numb and tingly at one point, which my family thought was hilarious. I thanked them for their support.
Posted by: casinostrat Jun 15 2012, 06:02 PM
I know how you feel man, I got nailed on the arm by a hornet yesterday, and it hurt a lot. I'm just glad i'm not allergic to them. We have horseflies here in my part of the USA as well, and I hate getting bit by them, they hurt a lot. Why can't they just stick to horses and not bother guitarists?
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 15 2012, 06:04 PM
Definitely the last time I run naked round my garden at night
They felt like two golf balls the day after and very hot & itchy. My arm even felt numb and tingly at one point, which my family thought was hilarious. I thanked them for their support.
Yeah, I've caught loads of midgie or mozzy bites on my legs but this one was the only one that swelled up and did the red line thing.
I woke up this morning and the red line had practically dissappeared ! Not bad for a bit of vinegar
I know. They're really insensitive !!!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 16 2012, 07:44 PM
About 16 years ago, when my folks built the mountain house, there was a lot of left over wood about and I remember helping my grandfather collect it so we could store it somewhere in the yard, all in one place.
Now imagine the horror, when turning a big plank, we discovered a HUGE nest of these insects:
The saying goes, that they enter your ear and you go deaf..dunno if it's true, but they were also in the house that time, not many but I found 1-3 each day.
Well, little Cosmin took a deo spray, a lighter ...and justice was done!
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 16 2012, 08:23 PM
Now imagine the horror, when turning a big plank, we discovered a HUGE nest of these insects:
The saying goes, that they enter your ear and you go deaf..dunno if it's true, but they were also in the house that time, not many but I found 1-3 each day.
Well, little Cosmin took a deo spray, a lighter ...and justice was done!
Earwigs !! Yeah, they're a bit freaky looking !!
Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 21 2012, 10:47 PM
Yep - UC Davis is about an hour - 2 hours from my house.
I've heard horror stories about people getting bitten by recluse spiders. Gads. I fear stacked wood-piles for that reason.
We actually had a Brown Recluse in my house that laid eggs. I caught her and put her in a terrarium with her eggs and let them hatch. Soon after, I put them outside and they all left. It was a great couple of weeks documenting that.
We actually have the two best entomology schools in the world here in California. One of them is UC Davis, which is closer to SirJamsalot, and the other is UC Riverside, which is about fifteen minutes from my house. It was a big struggle for me in secondary school to decide whether or not I wanted to study music or Entomology. I decided to make insects my hobby, but I love insects SO MUCH. I love nature more than anything really.
I am... odd.
Here is an awesome article I read last month that does display some more 'terrifying' insects from the UK in a non-threatening way. Wood ants, or Formica, as they are formally known, even have slaves. They are practically a race of super ants that could dominate all the other species if they had the initiative.
http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/my-isle-of-wight/blogs/ant-science/
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 22 2012, 12:53 AM
I've heard horror stories about people getting bitten by recluse spiders. Gads. I fear stacked wood-piles for that reason.
I found another one last night. She fell into the web of a wolf spider and managed to break free. I honestly thought they were going to fight each other, but she must not have been that hungry. Needless to say, I caught her and put her outside.
My dad wants me to kill them, but I can't bring myself to do it.
Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 22 2012, 08:24 AM
Anyone else disappointed Ben didn't turn into HorseFlyman?
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 22 2012, 08:30 AM
Well that's not very nice !
Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 22 2012, 08:37 AM
Well that's not very nice !
At least you didn't turn into Jeff Goldblum either(Did you ever see 'The Fly' films?)
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 22 2012, 08:50 AM
I can't kill them either I have a good number of spiders hanging through my yard and around the house, but i never bother them and neither do they. When I accidentally find one inside the house, I usually put him outside where he/ she belongs
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 22 2012, 09:08 AM
I remember them but no, haven't seen them. Maybe bits of the first one but not a whole film.
I have a good number of spiders hanging through my yard and around the house, but i never bother them and neither do they. When I accidentally find one inside the house, I usually put him outside where he/ she belongs I don't kill spiders either. I just like them and their spidery vibe. I'll transfer them to a more appropriate location or just leave them alone.
If they are dangerous though, then that's a different matter.
Posted by: casinostrat Jun 22 2012, 10:55 PM
If they are dangerous though, then that's a different matter.
This sums up my thinking on this pretty well. I try not to kill spiders, bees, snakes, or anything like that. I hate to see anything die. But if
they are dangerous and in a position to hurt me or someone else, that's different.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 23 2012, 07:57 AM
they are dangerous and in a position to hurt me or someone else, that's different.
People usually get themselves in those positions, in my country at least - at the place where my folks have the mountain house, people kill snakes just because they can. So if they see a snake resting in the sun, they think that they should go and kill it. People are stupid most of the times, especially uneducated ones...
Posted by: Pourliver Jun 23 2012, 08:08 AM
I personally hate getting bitten by insects. I've been bitten today by a big ugly flying spider ( It looked like that ) , and I had an allergic reaction.
I personally kill spiders, I have a big arachnophobia, and 2 year ago, I couldn't even move when I saw one. Now I try to keep my calm, relax, and kill them. Maybe that later on, if I can lose my phobia, I'll maybe put them outside.
Posted by: Yash Jun 23 2012, 09:29 AM
Uneducated people in Europe ??? I thought you had a kind of 95-100 % literacy rate
Posted by: casinostrat Jun 23 2012, 07:40 PM
Same way in my country also man, sadly I have seen people kill stuff just for the "fun" of it.
Guess stupidity is worldwide.On a more positive note, I managed to rescue a hummingbird that was trapped in a garage the other day, First time I ever held one in my hand, wish I had got some pics.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 23 2012, 07:43 PM
Well done ! That must have been a cool experience
Posted by: BlackViper Jun 23 2012, 08:58 PM
This may not go under the insects category of bites, but I got bit in the hand by a Black Pakistani cobra while trying to tap it on the back of the hood. Routine practice at the place I work, I had literally done it hundreds of times, but this time I wasn't paying enough attention. Luckily he's had his venom glands removed so no hospital trip was necessary!
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 24 2012, 08:54 AM
Woah, that kind of puts being bitten by a fly into perspective !
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