Doctors advise against swatting flies or mosquitoes when they land on your body because it can lead to very serious consequences.
The basic reflex for almost anyone is to raise their hand to swat a fly, mosquito, or any insect when they see it resting on their skin. However, the harm from this habit could cost you dearly.
According to the Yangcheng Evening News, a man with the surname Wu living in Shenzhen, China, lost his left eye simply because he swatted a small fly resting on his face.
The man lost an eye after swatting a housefly that landed on his face (Photo: Getty).
This is a type of housefly (or butterfly fly). They often rest on walls in damp, unsanitary areas and are quite common in tropical countries, including Vietnam.
Initially, the man felt nothing unusual. However, just about an hour later, his left eye showed signs of swelling and intense pain. He applied eye drops, thinking it was just a common eye problem.
However, as the symptoms worsened, he decided to visit a local hospital. There, he was diagnosed with seasonal conjunctivitis.
Despite taking prescribed medication, the man’s condition deteriorated rapidly over the following days.
When he returned to the hospital for a follow-up, he had almost completely lost vision in his left eye. Furthermore, the area around his eye was severely inflamed and ulcerated. It turned out that seasonal conjunctivitis was actually a bacterial infection caused by the fly he had swatted.
Unfortunately for Mr. Wu, medication could no longer stop the spread of the infection. Due to the risk of it affecting his brain, doctors decided to perform surgery to remove his left eyeball.
The unfortunate story of this man has garnered attention online and spread as a warning about a habit many still practice.
Doctors warn against swatting insects when they land on your face or any area where they could cause bacterial infections, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, or open wounds.
Instead, experts recommend that you remain calm and use your hand to gently shoo the insects away. Additionally, make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap every time you swat insects with your hands.
