The unwelcome houseguest

I’m really used to bug bites. If you love the outdoors and live in an ancient house, you get a lot of experience. Which is why when I woke up with two big, red bites eleven days ago, I went upstairs, showered and slapped some Fargon on them. That’s a cream that takes the itch or the sting out.

Only this time it didn’t leave. Although the bite on my leg slowly dried and healed, it still itches sometimes. The more severe one on my stomach not only continued to itch and burn, but it started to look like it would consume me entirely, given time. So I ended up at Pronto Soccorso where, as usual, the doctor said, “Why didn’t you come right away?” If country folk went to the emergency room every time they were stung or bitten, they would be wall to wall with no room for car accident victims.

That’s who had moved in from the garden and got really teed off when he couldn’t find his way out. This article on Wikipedia explains more and also tells you which version lives near you. Cheiracanthium is someone you’d rather not see on your jammies, or hiding in your sheets or basically anywhere you innocently might make him angry.

He’s not innocent. He uses the same kind of poison as a rattlesnake, only a whole lot less, thank goodness. It destroys tissue at the bite site and both itches and hurts pretty much 24/7.

So don’t even ask what I am doing. I’m cleaning wounds and changing dressings.

October 31st, 2008 in Italy, animals

Comments (18)

LaurieOctober 31st, 2008 at 15:25

YUCK. I’m glad you’re ok…

KarenOctober 31st, 2008 at 18:28

Thanks for that….I guess. We also get some strange looking spiders, but I was never that concerned before reading this. Just last night I stood on a chair to pluck one off the ceiling.

I searched for more photos to be able to identify this creature better and I also came across some photos of bites and you aren\’t kidding, they do turn into awful wounds. ICK. Take care.

JaneOctober 31st, 2008 at 23:55

Oh Judith, that\’s gruesome! I\’m glad you finally went in for help. When we took Casey to emergency last summer in italy, it was a really good experience–much better than here in the states. I hope it went well for you.

casalbaNovember 1st, 2008 at 09:40

“Yuck”, “ICK” and “gruesome” are right. That’s the scariest haloween post!

I hope you get well soon.

adminNovember 1st, 2008 at 11:03

@Karen:

At least you know to seek help if you get a bad bite. I never dreamed… turns out this is the only spider with a venom like that in Europe.

adminNovember 1st, 2008 at 11:08

LOL I never even thought of Halloween! Bugs there is, ya no? Since this is an outside bug I suppose it wouldn’t be often you’d find it inside, plus spiders only bite if frightened. It’s just poor luck that being trapped inside your clothes with you scares them.

BeatrizNovember 1st, 2008 at 12:37

Italy and spiders! I find them everywhere. I am glad I have not found yours yet! I am glad you went to get help, and that you are ok. Take care.

adminNovember 1st, 2008 at 13:11

I am learning to dress like a baby. Having a dressing to change is like wearing a diaper. Not every clothing works.

SnowpeaNovember 1st, 2008 at 17:20

To distract you from your misery, I bring you a link to a food blog that had me salivating. FX is a crazed Swiss foodie who owns an excellent camera and possibly too many kitchen gadgets. This post’s about the Slow Food Fair: fxcuisine.com/default.asp?language=2&Display=225

adminNovember 1st, 2008 at 21:38

@Snowpea:

Thanks, Pea!

michelle of bleeding espressoNovember 2nd, 2008 at 20:17

Thank goodness you went before it got any worse! It *is* a tough call here when to know when to get those nasty bites checked. I recently got two HUGE bites on my legs that itched like crazy for two days then disappeared. THAT was odd too because usually the redness lingers for months (I blame my peaches and cream skin) ;)

adminNovember 2nd, 2008 at 21:48

@michelle of bleeding espresso:

Maybe they just thought about your leg, or looked at it that time.