Bali (Indonesia) - It was supposed to be the perfect dream trip for Natalie Carroll (24) and her partner - but it ended in an agonizing nightmare.

The 24-year-old TikTok woman was on vacation in Bali when she noticed strange red stripes on her left thigh on November 7, reports Daily Mail.

At first she thought the red streaks might have been caused by contact with a jellyfish.

But during the night, her condition worsened drastically: severe pain and blisters formed on her skin.

Concerned, she went to see a doctor the next day as the pain got worse and worse.

The doctor quickly established that it was not a jellyfish injury, but a reaction to the venom of a special type of beetle: the tomcat beetle.

Although these small beetles do not sting or bite, they release a strong venom that can cause intense burning, stinging, itching and blistering - as was the case with Natalie.

Although the insect is only a few millimeters in size, its venom is extremely effective. The 24-year-old had to take antibiotics to prevent the wound from becoming infected.

It can take ten days to fully recover from the effects of the venom.

It was a painful but fortunately treatable incident that spoiled her vacation in Bali.

Every touch to her thigh was extremely painful and she was terrified of infection when two of the blisters on her skin burst.

To protect the wounds from the dirty air of Bali, she kept applying the prescribed ointment.

The worst thing about the incident, however, was that she was unable to swim or shower properly during the entire trip - and that in the oppressive heat of Bali.

On TikTok, she used her reach to warn others about the dangers of unknown insects.