Things you Forget

Yesterday, while minding my own business, and without any warning, a bee stung me on the forehead. I was wearing a cap, and something felt strange on my forehead, so I reached to feel what it was, felt something, and was instantly stung. I never saw what stung me. 

How did I know it was a bee? The stinger was still there, when I looked in the mirror. A tug with some tweezers released the barbs, and the last action of a bee was revealed. 

I've been stung many times. When I was young, the result was some alarming swelling, and a trip to the doctor when a sting on my leg left red streaks. Of all the stings, I've luckily never been stung by a hornet. From what I know, the pain is much worse, and the after-effects more severe.

This one was a little different, since I've never been stung on the forehead. After the initial burning sting, the pain was more than I've ever felt, and I can only describe as the same as being hit with a heavy object. For a few minutes, I wondered if I needed to go to an emergency room, but the pain lessened enough to ease my alarm.

I took an antihistamine, let it go to work, and took about a three hour nap. When I awoke, the ache was mostly gone, but still there enough to know I'd been stung. 

This morning, the site is still a little red, and swollen. The ache is gone, and it will probably start itching before it finally heals. I'll have to be more wary. Bees are hungry this time of the year, and can be bothersome.