To: Homestead List <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Homestead] stinging caterpillars and itching
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:58:49 -0400
Saturday, I was out cutting sorghum for the chickens and I suddenly felt
a sting on my forearm. I almost panicked because I am so allergic to
bees, but I did not see a bee. By the time I got in the house, I could
see 4 welts, roughly the corners of a inch long rectangle....then I
knew...Saddleback caterpillar.
Yowza, it's been a while since I got stung by one and you forget how it
burns! (It is like an acid or something!) Half of my forearm and ring
and pinky fingers went numb! Some duct tape and a couple of benedryls
and some lidocaine later, I could barely see the welts. Yesterday, it
started itching, so I put hydrocortisone cream on it and later crushed
some plantain leaves and jewelweed. I took another benedryl before
going to bed. This morning, the welts are larger than they were the
first day and they itch like the worst mosquito bite you ever had! Any
other home remedies for the itch? I've blanked out...
Bev
--
EarthNSky Farm 34.498N 85.076W
SISU! (Finnish--There is no single word in English that encompasses
all that sisu means, but it combines the following ideas: guts, pep,
determination, stubbornness, perseverance, hardiness, stamina, go, do,
nerve, spunk, pluck, and grit. It's like "Just Do It!" & "Go for It!")
[Homestead] stinging caterpillars and itching,
EarthNSky, 08/23/2010