My current worry is a small one. I have a small, ulcer-like sore on my left bicep that won't go away. I think it was a wasp sting on New Year's Day that started it, which left a small open wound – about the size of a pea - that has been wet (weepy) for nine weeks now. It’s not painful and has a defined circular edge and just won't heal.

The exact cause of tropical ulcers is thought to be a bacterial infection. Small skin wounds allow bacteria (found in mud or stagnant water) to enter and this then releases nasty toxins that cause the skin to break down. Serious ulcers are very painful, give off a horrid smell, and may need skin grafts or even amputation.
     - (The International Foundation for Dermatology)

It’s very difficult to find the right medicines here and the ones that I’ve tried haven’t worked. I was using iodine on the wound (which stings a lot) but I’ve just switched to an antiseptic powder in the hope that a dryer medicine will do the trick.

Cho and I have reached the end of the road that we’d been walking down and have many weeks in the sweaty jungle coming up. We head into the trees again tomorrow. 

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