Melissa Gilbert, who played Mary in “Little House on the Prairie,” recently opened out about a crisis she had with her health. She posted on Instagram how she had to go to the hospital because of an insect bite. Her swelling upper arm bite was visible in one photo, and an IV was placed to her hand in another.
Gilbert said that she had been attacked by a flying creature that was neither a bee nor a wasp a few days before. She didn’t give it much thought at first, but after some time had gone, her arm had become bloated, red, and hot. She called her doctor out of concern, and he told her to get straight to the emergency room. Tim Busfield, her husband, requested they not delay in getting her to the hospital.
After completing a battery of diagnostic procedures, Gilbert was found to be suffering from cellulitis and an abscess. An intravenous cocktail of clindamycin, Benedryl, and acetaminophen brought instant relief. The next day, she started taking oral antibiotics, Benedryl, and ibuprofen after a sleepless night.
As a public service announcement, she posted on Instagram to warn her followers about the dangers of ignoring insect bites. She stressed the importance of getting medical assistance immediately if a bite swells dramatically, warning that delaying care might have dire consequences. Gilbert said that in the past, she may have lost an arm or leg to the illness, but with today’s medical advances, she was on the road to recovery.
In the comments section, fans shared their relief and good wishes, glad that Gilbert was on the mend. She was urged to get some rest and was wishing a swift recovery.
Insect bites and stings are more common in the summer months, so it’s crucial to keep a watch on our skin to avoid problems like Gilbert’s. Most insect bites go well within 5-10 days, shrinking and getting less irritating as time goes on. But if the bite doesn’t improve within that time, it’s probably infected and you should see a doctor.
The tragedy of Melissa Gilbert should serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring bug bites and the need for immediate medical attention.
