Okay, to make a long story short I got bit by an ant, it swelled up, I'm allergic to them, I went to the doctor, and they gave me an antibiotic. There are red lines on my skin sticking out from the area of the bite. The doctors said that they can get in my blood stream and go to my heart. I have to go back if it's worse tomorrow and they have to give me a shot. I'm freaked out now. What happens if it gets to my heart?
I think that the doctor's concerns about it "going to your heart" has more to do with what might potentially happen if you were to be bitten again. Any venoms or allergens from your existing bite are already in your bloodstream and going through your heart, and don't seem to be doing any harm.
If it does turn out to be worse tomorrow, and you get the shot, they might give you an emergency hypodermic needle to carry around with you. This is a cylinder about the length of a pen and about half an inch wide that contains a loaded syringe of antihistamine. Then, if you're bitten by an ant and have a serious allergic reaction - trouble breathing, for instance - you can jam this thing into your leg and counteract it. It sounds worse than it is; my mother is severely allergic to bee stings, and she carries one around, but in 20 years and three stings she's never had to use it.
sizzlinmandolin answered Thursday October 5 2006, 1:05 am: Just as long as you are seeing a doctor about it you'll be fine. My dad got bit by a spider once and one of his veins turned black all the way up his arm. He went to a doctor and everything was just fine. Try not to worry so much. They know what they are doing. Good luck! :) [ sizzlinmandolin's advice column | Ask sizzlinmandolin A Question ]
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