Yesterday, I discovered an unusual potential food allergy.
I am highly allergic to ant bites - particularly so when they are flying.
Yesterday was one of those extremely humid days, and, as I crossed Figges marsh, I felt something thudding against me. Several ants were getting caught in the hair on my arms and legs. I stopped and removed them, but there were so many it was really difficult.
Up by Mitcham eastfields station, there were swarms of them all along the road. Then, when we got to Hackbridge, there were more clouds of insects. Bouncing off us as we rode along, but one got into my mouth. OK, so I did pretty much panic at that point, but I spat (most of) it out, very aware of how an anaphylactic reaction in my mouth or throat might affect and tried to get another ant out of my eye before we got to the supermarket.
Is it me, or are we getting more of these beasties each year? I don't like it, I tell ya.
to be fair, I think the ants and I agree that they are not for human consumption...