[Personal Experience] Unknown Allergic Reaction

[Current time : 2.45 a.m.]

I went to Blitar, East Java on  the day before (February 17th) for some quick observations and getaway. For the first time ever, I tried the infamous fish therapy, but then I browsed on the internet and it said that fish therapy could possibly lead to transmissive infection.. I quickly pulled my feet out the pool, patted it dry using tissue and moved away lol.

I continued the trip and went back that evening. On the way home, I started feeling itchy around my knees (both of them). Oh well, I thought it was only a casual mosquito bites. But then the itch spread up to my elbows (also both of them), I (out of reflex reaction) lightly touched and scratched the itchy area, and I felt something of a weird texture on my skin. It was bumpy and warm. I let it alone for a while because I was on the car in a heavy rain somewhere on the road I couldn't identify. At home, I immediately checked the itchy area and it was terrifying. Especially around my knees, it was swelling, red, bumpy and itchy as hell. I quickly grabbed antiseptic body scrub, bathed with "The Green Soap" (antiseptic soap made of coconut oil) and put on "Minyak Tawon" (medicated oil for topical analgesic) all over the itchy areas. Then I worked on my weekly bullet journal, however, after a while, the itch came back worse than before. I reached Caladine and put it on all over the itchy areas, then I went to sleep.

Around 2.00 a.m. I woke up due to uncomfortable itch on my feet. I half-consciously reached the Caladine lotion and realized something... that there were no itchy areas around my feet, only knees and elbows. That was when I knew something was wrong, the "reaction" spread all over my body. In a panic, I rushed to my parent's room and told them about the situation. My dad told me that he had been there before, the exact same indicators, somewhere in the late 1996. But he didn't know what caused the itch and the swell. I asked them to accompany me to the hospital. I didn't get the answer of what caused the allergic reaction, but I was given intravenous injection and some meds to take at home. I was told to rest well, but now I'm writing this post anyway. 

Surely I will be focusing on the recovery and won't go out for today. I had to cancel my errands I planned for today, apologies to all of my friends.

金曜日に：for those who hate the rain

I hated it when it's raining. Mainly because I'm allergic to something down the road so whenever it's raining, my shoes got soaked (because I walk a lot) to the point I had to put it off, and then the next morning my feet would swell and itch like nobody's business (I took a bath, so it's not because I didn't clean it properly). When I was a kid, heavy rain wrecked the air ways of the aircon in my room,the water streamed down like a waterfall into my room, made a fuss at 10 p.m (fortunately I was only in the kindergarten, so I didn't have that much of important paperworks in my room). Back in high school, my body didn't react well with even the lightest rain droplets, especially if the droplets touched my scalp. It would get me serious headache that lasted all night, or even until the next morning so I had to take a day off from school. My dad was so concerned about this and took me to the neurologist, fortunately it wasn't as serious as what we had in mind. Up until my freshmen year, I hissed under my breath everytime it's pouring and contrary to popular beliefs, the sound of rain for me was rather intimidating, if not causing anxiety.

I tried so many times getting along with the rain. It is amazing how Kim Tae Hee even managed to marry the Rain (haha). Last year, I asked everyone I know about their opinions on the positive side of the rain, everyone, from closest friends to someone I rarely contacted in the daily basis. Some of the answers I remembered are :

1. Rain actually purifies the air from pollutants, it "hugs" the pollutants and brings them down along with the stream, leaving us cleaner air.
2. Rain is a God-Given opportunity to get closer with Him. You'll find yourself praying to God so that the rain will stop, or praying so that your beloved will be safe in their way home despite the heavy rain.
3. The rain gives you time to rethink about what you are going to do, is it worth the effort?
4. The rain inspires people, I'm sure you've found amazing songs, movies, poems, and stories about the rain or memories in rainy days.
5. Some people need the rain, for their lawns, their gardens, or the forest so that it's not creating dry branches frictions which can burn the entire forest down.
6. It is the perfect time to cuddle, watch movies, or even book-and-hot beverages time.
7.  Hey, the frogs are delighted!

I took my time to fathom all the reasons to love the rain. Finally, last night, I found myself hopping happily to avoid puddles on the road. It was fun, to hop around holding umbrella, humming to favourite song. Besides, my friend told me that; in Chinese New Year, they are praying so that it would be raining for half a day, it means a lot for them, for future prosperity. The rain is something whole-heartedly awaited by some people, the rain might indicate something positive, and if it is the case, then I would be glad to know that their prayers are heard.