Overreacting

You've described exactly what I'd do if I were in your situation! It all seems logical to me. My family and friends wouldn't agree though! They keep nagging me every time I act like that. But to me it seems reasonable to thoroughly clean myself after contacting something dirty or avoid inhaling toxic chemicals. I also wash my dishes really well. Really really well. People don't like this either!

That was an unpleasant thing to experience. 

I can understand your objection to getting a chemical wasp killer spray on your clothes and body. Usually wasp killers sprays have been rigorously tested to be within safe limits if used according to the instructions on tin, but I imagine it would be better not to breathe in the fumes in an enclosed space and to avoid skin contact if possible. I don’t think it is something to be overly concerned about if the spray accidentally makes contact with your skin or clothes, but it made perfect sense to wash your hands and the parts of your body that may have come into contact with the spray. I am not saying you over reacted, I am just saying this so you don’t lie awake at night worrying about the chemical harming you. 

Having said that, if somebody was using spray in the same room as me, I would definitely move quickly out of the room while holding my breathe. I dislike chemicals such as insecticide, canine topical flea treatment, weedkiller etc near me. I feel there are too many chemicals in the world that at times are needlessly used, of course sometimes I have no other option but to use them. I use one of those tennis racquet type devices that electrocutes unwanted insects. It has a light too, and this attracts the insects. It is great fun trying to whack them.

Holly97 said:

I always come in and change clothes and wash my hands several times. It's autism and OCD I know, but I still don't think it's overreacting.

Only you know if you experienced a similar level of distress during the wasp killing incident to that of when you change your clothes and wash your hands after being out, and if it was reflective of OCD symptoms. People who don’t understand what it is like to be autistic with OCD find it hard to comprehend the challenges you experience. Perhaps you could explain to your family how you feel, and tell them not to criticise you by saying you are overreacting. You might like to get one of those tennis racquet type devices to electrocute future unwanted wasps.

Not an overreaction. 

An overreaction is attacking people over a misunderstanding with a broken glass bottle.  I speak from personal experience in my family.

I would be fully awake and high alert if it was me….

I guess when you are half asleep you grab the nearest thing & hit out...

What a horrible story…I really despise wasps…if it was me I would have definitely checked it was dead though…although not sure I would have tackled it with a pillow. Doesn’t seem like a suitable weapon?

A few years ago I had to stay in a place I wasn't familiar with.  It was really hot, and a wasp came in at night through the open window - as they do.

The buzzing woke me up, and I whacked it with a pillow.  I thought it was dead and went back to sleep.   I hadn't realised but it had fallen in the bed & wasn't dead at all - I ended up laying on it and it got revenge by stinging me. 

I'm not bothered if people think it's silly - perhaps they aren't allergic to wasps or have asthma.  Lucky for them. 

As you say, better safe than sorry.  

Holly97 said:

always keep medicine supplied in case the worst happens.

absolutely

Holly97 said:

Practical, full of sense and know how

Got to love this comment ! 

I would be more concerned about the wasp hornet thing….sounds horrendous to me. I like how you were left with it? I don’t think it’s an overreaction at least to the wasp spray. Depends on the other stuff outside the house you come into contact with really? Touch sensitivity is a big issue for me which can be good and bad….

I wish the rest of my family were like you. Practical, full of sense and know how. Luckily I don't suffer asthma or such thing so I'm ok to spray, not stand right next to it and breathe in obviously lol but I can spray quickly without affecting my breathing.

Sorry to hear of your experiences. I've had much the same experiences, I always react badly to any type of sting, always keep medicine supplied in case the worst happens.

Perhaps I do things a bit excessively, but it's better to be safe than sorry I think.

I have asthma so I'd be concerned as to what I was breathing in.  I think it is wise to get fresh air when you've sprayed something potentially toxic. 

I've also been stung by wasps more than once and had unpleasant reactions to it which required much hydrocortisone. 

Bottom line - it is up to you.   You won't always get others to agree.   I don't think this is OCD, I think there's some common sense here too.