Well after the day-trip yesterday (Saturday) to Pulau Ubin, the island off the East coast of Singapore, I noticed that I had a “couple” of bites, which I assume was caused by Mosquitoes.
Even though we had put mosquito/insect repellent, I guess the sweat and the general walking that we undertook must have meant that the full effects of the repellent must have worn off.
The two sets of inflammation on my lower right arm
When I say a couple of bites, I actually mean several. I had 3 on my right arm, 1 just by my wrist, and the other two near to my right elbow, whilst I also got 3 on my right leg, and lastly one on my left ankle. Apart from the inconvenience that I was expecting over the next few days (the itch!), I wasn’t expecting anything nonetowards, but when I woke up this morning, my right arm had swollen up – as if my body was having an allegic raction to the bite. My wrists are quite thin normally, so I think the bite on my wrist must have caused the inflammation to touch the nerve in my left hand, as I could feel a weird sensation on my little finger (my pinky) and my ring finger (aka fourth finger). I started to worry a bit, as I knew if the inflammation didn’t peak or subside, I might lose partial sensation to my hand, and my ability to work (being right handed) might be impacted, oh and that’s my drinking arm too 🙂
The inflammation on my right leg
I phoned the International SOS Medical hot-line, under the Amex Short-Term Assignment contract, and spoke to their on-call Doctor, who advised me that I need to put an ice-pack and raise my arm, whilst monitoring the inflammation during the day, and if it gets worse to phone-back so that they can refer me to a Private Hospital to get it checked-out by a Doctor. I did as he said, and also went to the local Pharmacy and spoke to the Chemist. She had a look at was a bit startled by the amount of swelling of my right arm. She prescribed a pack of Anti-Inflammatory / Histamine tablets, which I would need to take once a day. I hope this works!
The International SOS agent phoned back and asked me about the progress, she asked whether I wanted to speak to the Doctor again, I said yes, and he then agreed with the actions I undertook. After I said I would just monitor over the next 1-2 days, he then stated that this was too long, and if it doesn’t subside during today or tomorrow, to phone back as he was worried that I might get an infection. I agreed, and really do hope it does subside, else I would get a bit worried with the inflammation. It hasn’t got worse, but it hasn’t actually got any better through today. Let me see tomorrow what it looks like and what I feel, and then I will make a decision!