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I was in my late forties, tending to my garden and pruning some roses, when a stray thorn left a small scratch on my finger. I barely gave it a second thought. I simply rinsed it under the tap, slapped on a bandage, and went about my day. A few days later, however, my finger was red, swollen, and throbbing with pain. I ended up at the doctor's office, needing a prescription for antibiotics. That minor incident taught me a crucial lesson: even the smallest cut or insect bite can quickly escalate into a serious medical issue if left unattended.