If I had to choose a theme for my last trip to Green Turtle Cay, it would have to be sleepless nights.
Two days after I arrived, I was stung by what Bahamians call a yellow hanna (I think this is what’s known as a yellow fly in the U.S.) Walking through town, I felt a little bite and noticed a bit of blood on my leg. By the next day, the bite had swelled up to the size of plum and turned purple. It itched like crazy, especially when I tried to sleep.
After a few miserable nights, I went to see the nurse, who recommended an allergy shot. But I’ve had negative reactions to medications in the past and I thought it best not to take the chance. Instead, I took Benadryl and used hydrocortisone cream supplied by the nurse. Even still, it took nearly a month for the bite to heal!
A few weeks later, I was awoken in the middle of the night by a painful sting just above my knee. I sat up, thinking I’d been stung by a wasp. Just then, something stung the back of my leg. I jumped up and screamed for Tom to do the same. When we turned on the light, we could see I’d been bitten twice, and each bite had two holes — like a snake bite.
Tom tore off the sheets, turned over the mattress and searched the entire bedroom, but couldn’t find the culprit(s). A little Internet research left us fairly certain, however, that I’d been bitten by a centipede.
Though the pain was unbelievable, it turns out that unless you’re one of the few people who’s actually allergic to centipede venom, bites are rarely serious. Since I had no signs of allergic reaction, we figured I’d survive.
In case you ever find yourself in the same unenviable position, I have three words for you — hot, soapy water. As instructed by various online sources, I filled the tub with water as hot as I could stand and soaked for a while. By the time I got out, the searing pain had already begun to subside. I applied ice and Neosporin, and by the time the sun came up, the pain was virtually gone.
I know that island living isn’t for wimps. All the same, windows (and the sealing that will accompany them) have moved WAY up on our Fish Hooks to-do list.
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Stepping onto a fire ant nest with trainers & bare legs – as I did inattentively in March while photographing a bird – can lead to sleep loss for sure. Boy do they move upwards fast… And a pepsis wasp? That’ll be indescribable…: https://rollingharbour.com/2012/08/09/spider-wasps-tarantula-hawks-dont-mess-with-these-guys/
Hello Amanda! Just thought I’d share with you that I was also stung by a centipede whilst asleep in Harbour Island a few years ago! It stung me in a most vulnerable area of my body!!! We did see the culprit afterwards (believe me when I tell you the bed spread levitated as we leapt out of it) and dispatched it, but it was a harrowing and sobering feeling to think I shated a bed with one of those!!!! Like you I used hot water and it subsided soon. Yuck!!!! Thanks for the info and hugs to you… Melissa
On Nov 10, 2016 1:02 AM, “Little House by the Ferry” wrote:
> littlehousebytheferry posted: “If I had to choose a theme for my last trip > to Green Turtle Cay, it would have to be sleepless nights. Two days after I > arrived, I was stung by what Bahamians call a yellow hanna (I think this is > what’s known as a yellow fly in the U.S.) Walking throug” >
Hi, Melissa. I literally had a shiver when I read your post. Glad you found your culprit afterwards — I lived in fear of mine for the rest of the trip. Always tucked the sheet in all around me. Thankfully it never reappeared. The joys of island living!
Yikes!!!
Hello, Amanda,
Thanks for including us in sending out your blog.
This is in response to your problem with insect bites. We’d like to make a suggestion. Buy a small bottle of meat tenderizer in the spice area of your grocery store and keep it handy. When you get a bite, immediately put a little in the palm of your hand and add a few drops of water to make a paste. Apply that to your bite. This works marvels on many bites and gives relief immediately. It neutralizes the poison so you have no swelling or pain. It doesn’t work on all insect bites but many that you could get here. I’ve seen it bring instant relief.
Kathy Ralph
On Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 1:01 AM, Little House by the Ferry wrote:
> littlehousebytheferry posted: “If I had to choose a theme for my last trip > to Green Turtle Cay, it would have to be sleepless nights. Two days after I > arrived, I was stung by what Bahamians call a yellow hanna (I think this is > what’s known as a yellow fly in the U.S.) Walking throug” >
Hi, Kathy. Thanks so much for your note. Will be adding some meat tenderizer to our little spice rack!