What's the worst sting or bite you've ever had?

[bottlenose301]

I've been stung by jellyfish, wasps, bumble bees, and bitten by spiders (not big huge ones), red ants, mosquitos and those bitey flies. Oh and the odd cats and dogs.

For me the worst by far was the bumblebee. I put my hand on it not seeing it there and it hurt sooooooo much. Like my hand was on fire or something. I don't really remember completely what the actual pain felt like that as it was years ago but I do remember that it hurt like nothing else and for ages too. Poor thing didn't even mean to sting me, I put my hand on it!

Jellyfish did hurt but not agony - it was only one of those small ones you get. (In France)

Red ants can hurt and itch like mad too.

What's the most painful bite or sting you've ever had?

I was stung on the top of the foot in a beach once. Didnt see what it was and paid little mind at the time, but it took 2 years for the resulting sore to completely heal.

For pain level though, that would be the time I sat on a jellyfish 😮

Getting very worried now about all these weever fish and horseflies.

I honestly don't recall ever encountering either and have absolutely no desire to from reading these posts. 🤬. (I am the BIGGEST wuss known to man!)

Can anyone please advise where I would be likely to encounter same? please say Australia or on horseback 🙏

Weevers v.much in the UK I'm afraid. Get some reef shoes if you're worried.

Weever fish are definitely in Devon. My friend stood one one. Had to put his foot in a bucket of really hot water as apparently it helps. Well that’s what the lifeguards did for him.

Weevers like sandy beaches, mostly - they bury themselves in the sand, with just their spines sticking up, to sting passing prey (shrimps and small fish.) I was stung on the South Coast, but as a child, I was very into rock pooling and holidays often involved lots of lifting of seaweed and stones, which is how we found one at Loch Carron once. So I would assume that they could be pretty much anywhere round the UK.

There are plenty of pebbly beaches to swim off, or just wear some sort of footwear.

A jellyfish in Spain. It was about 12 years ago and I remember the pain very well. The welts on my arm and face lasted ages.

A paper mite bite. Ridiculously painful and swollen.

Oh, and also a tick bite. Not pleasant for months.

DS stung by weever fish in Norfolk. Speaking to lifeguard the next day, she told me they are one of the worst pains you can have from a sting in UK, much worse than the jellyfish in that area.

Bought him an extra large ice cream after I heard that and always wear reef shoes in the sea!