Research in medicine has benefited human beings immensely. Medical science offers remedies, cures and treatments for all kinds of diseases, and the age-old adage that "health is wealth" holds true. Different countries and places follow different medical systems, but whatever the approach, what matters is how effective the cure turns out to be. And yet, even with advances that have raised life expectancy for ordinary people, doctors have been left baffled after an Arizona man was bitten by a mystery bug.
The initial diagnosis is that the culprit may have been a solpugid, or camel spider. Doctors have carried out several tests, including a biopsy, and are awaiting the results. Because they have not been able to identify the bug, Thomas Jay, 41, has not been given an anti-venom — and he is now part of a case study, since the whole ordeal began with a single bug bite. It remains a medical mystery. Jay is left with severe bruises running the length of his arm and reports excruciating pain; his arms, he says, look as though an 18-wheeler rolled over them.
The Bite
The man from Chandler said he was bitten while taking out the trash. He described it as a sting or a sudden pressure, followed by the most excruciating pain he had ever felt. It started, he says, as just a small circle — but within hours it turned into painful bruises along his entire arm. Though Jay is recovering, he still experiences side effects including pain, loss of strength in his arm, and itching.
Most bug bites are not severe and clear up on their own. There are several home remedies that can help reduce the pain, and most bites do not require medical attention unless they are very serious.
What To Do If It Happens To You
First Aid For A Bug Bite
- Restrict movement of the affected limb
- Swat away or remove the bug
- Apply an ice pack to the area
- Elevate the area to limit swelling
- Seek medical attention if the bruising keeps spreading — as it did with Jay
It is important to seek medical help if the bruising continues to spread, exactly as it did in Jay's case. He says the bruises multiplied within an hour and a half.
Still A Mystery
Even a week after the incident, doctors still could not diagnose the problem. The case is baffling enough that rumours of a ghost attack have spread through the creepy state of Arizona — a place said to house a number of resident ghosts.
Are the people of Arizona at risk? Is it a curse? Or an insect found only in Arizona?
We will have to wait until the doctors reach a conclusion. And though Jay is feeling a little better, doctors and the people of Arizona alike are hoping and praying for his speedy recovery.