Disclaimer: This post is speculative: I don’t understand this phenomenon, or what causes it, but I thought we should talk about it anyway. Having read some pretty weird stuff on the web about bed bugs and other pests, I want to assure you that we Bedbuggers are scientifically-minded. With that in mind, the following describes sensations some of us have experienced and possible explanations from scientific sources.
Please do not adjust your set– the site is not hosted by a 1970’s Leonard Nimoy and I will not be blogging about the Loch Ness Monster tomorrow. We want rational, researched, peer-reviewed information on the after effects of bed bug bites, and causes of sensations we’re experiencing. However, until we get that (remember, bed bug entomologists have their hands and brains tied up right now with the whole killing-the-monsters business), we have to share information amonst ourselves. Entomologists and doctors are encouraged to share their input and I’d love sources on this. But be warned, non-sufferers may just not get this one.
On another thread, Hopelessnomo’ raised the question of whether it’s possible to feel bites, sense bugs crawling on the skin, and even see “bites” in the absence of bed bugs (I distinguish actual bed bug bites here from “bites” which may or may not have another cause, by use of those quotation marks):
I moved to escape bedbugs. I took extreme precautions. I am fairly certain that I don’t have bedbugs in my new apartment. . . . I moved about 2 months ago. My “bites” (both biting sensations and small nymph-like bites) have only recently begun to fade. I’m sitting here, using the computer at work since I no longer own a computer, and it’s very warm and I feel faint crawling and itching sensations on my arm and back. I’m not sure if this will ever go away. A few weeks ago, I was still feeling what I call the “memory” of bites at different times during the day. . . . [The new bites are] Complete with raised bumps and little red dots and all the old manifestations, except that there was a difference in the quality of these sensations that I cannot articulate that allowed me . . . to believe that they were not new bites.
I did a bit of snipping for space, but you get the idea. What could be causing this?
1. Bed bugs. Yeah, we know. It’s improbable in this case, though it is worth taking seriously as the most likely cause in most cases.
2. Old bites that won’t stop itching plus lingering allergies. (Nomo’, are the new bite marks in the same places, or are you breaking out in new “bites”?)
3. Sensitivity to insect by-products touched or ingested. (Eh?) Seriously. This came up on the yahoo Bedbugger group (which is not affiliated with this site, but which you can join by clicking the links in the sidebar under “information and help”). American Museum of Natural History entomologist Lou Sorkin said (9/25/06, message 1358: I can’t link to these but you can join the group and view it),
I know it has been reported for mites [that] shed skins of the mites on a patient’s skin sometime after having been bitten will elicit a similar or indistiguishable “bite” from an early bite.
Though bed bugs are true bugs, and not “mites,” Lou is speculating over whether the same thing may happen with bed bugs as happens with mites. Lou continues:
A researcher who raises bed bugs told me that a person had been bitten and had “typical bites” (bites had been witnessed by the researcher) and later when the patient ate a . . . preparation vitamin D (later found out to have been mixed with crustacean shell derivative called chitin . . . . The patient broke out in “bites” indistinguishable from real bites.
Perhaps chitin–made from shells of unidentified origin (usually it’s shellfish) used in the vitamins caused an allergic reaction in someone who had become very sensitive to chitin in bed bug shells? However, Lou noted in another message that chitin is not supposed to cause reactions, and he speculated that perhaps something else was in the vitamin.
4. On the Leonard Lopate show on NPR (2/3/06), Richard Pollack, Harvard entomologist, and Richard Cooper of Cooper Pest Solutions in NJ (a PCO), discussed how sometimes people who are no longer getting bitten get new “bites” (that is, lesions appear, even in the absence of bed bugs) after bed bugs are gone. A caller to the show reports occasional isolated “bites” three and six months after an infestation. (Possibly, but not likely to be a reinfestation if they wait 3 months to feed.)
Richard Pollack gives as another example of this: a grad student he knows who was exposed to bed bugs in a hotel room, months later experienced “bites,” identical lesions, though she was not exposed to bed bugs in the interim. Granted, how you can be sure you were not exposed to bed bugs–especially if you’re a student living in Boston– is a tricky question! Nevertheless, these “phantom bites” seem to be a phenomenon bed bug researchers are aware of.
Is it an allergy to debris left behind after the infestation? Is it a lingering skin problem caused by months of allergic reactions to bites? Is it your imagination? A reaction to pesticides (which can also cause allergies and reactions)?
5. Some other non-bed-bug-related cause:
There is at least one person who was on the yahoo group who had bites but could find no bed bugs (or other mites). After months of treatment, she finally found out the cause: folliculitis. She never had bed bugs. (I found this out offlist.) It’s just a reminder to rule out everything. However, it’s unlikely that bites which continued after an infestation and a careful move (like Nomo’s) would be caused by something else. Possible, not likely, but I want to throw it out there for others.
Warning: I strongly discourage anyone from assuming their bed bugs are gone and that the bites are just “phantom” bites unless they have really good evidence this is the case. Bed bugs are really hard to get rid of and they can linger a long time; don’t ignore bites unless you have very good reason to think they are gone. Nomo’ didn’t “just move,” Nomo’ went to extreme lengths while moving; “just moving” on its own, and even parting with lots of stuff, is not reason enough to assume you have phantom bites.
Also, don’t panic if you are fighting bed bugs and worry this will never end. This reaction is not experienced by everyone.
That said, does one of these theories explain what’s happening to Nomo’? I’m going to ask Lou to pop in and see this thread if he has time. Perhaps he will have further insight. I welcome your thoughts and any relevant leads. This should probably become a FAQ, but it needs some whittling down.
And let me give another plug for the Leonard Lopate show on NPR, which mentions how hard the bugs are to find, how people can go for months without seeing any bed bugs, as well as how bites do not look the same on every person, or on the same person at different times. NJ PCO Richard Cooper also says they’re seeing infested laundromats. That is so, so something I had in mind: most people in NYC go to laundromats; many leave their laundry (unsealed! unattended! for days! side-by-side with others’ dirty laundry! Arrrggghhh!)
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Hello whoever is reading this. I have recently been become enlisted in the war against the bugs after a 1 night stay at a BestWestern hotel. It seemd to take a couple of weeks for the bites to appear which I find odd. The bites are large red areas with raised white lines in the middle. I have used generic permethrin and Gentrol recently which is an IGR. I think the bed bugs are gone, but I am not absolutely convinced. I am still seeing what seem to be “new” bites. Last night I took a pen and drew around the bites on my legs so that when I woke up I could see if there were bites outside the lines. I did not see any, but I failed to mark myself on my hip where I did see what looked like a brand new bite. Tonight I will try double-sided carpet tape around the bed. If anyone knows where to get some black market DDT let me know. If an agent of the law is reading, they should go get bed begs first before judging me.
The longest I have heard bed bug bites can take to appear is 9 days (which seems long– most people SEEM to have them appear more quickly). I suppose it’s possible, but a couple of weeks seems like a long time for bites to appear after being bitten.
But maybe you mean you were not bitten for two weeks after leaving the hotel? This is fully possible. Maybe you did not react until you’d had a certain amount of bites. Or maybe you only took a few bed bugs home and they were not biting in large enough numbers at the time.
I think your priority should be verifying you have bed bugs. If you have not seen one, you have a few options:
1/ Read the FAQ on catching a sample (though this can still be tricky if you have few bed bugs, it’s worth trying).
2/ Get a bed bug dog in to search. Get some recommendations for your area on our forums:
http://bedbugger.com/forum
3/ Keep looking. If new bites keep appearing, you probably are being bitten by a pest.
I would NOT try and get black market DDT.
First, it’s illegal.
Second, it may not work (not least of which because it has probably been sitting around since 1972, but also because when it was phased out, there’s some who suggest bed bugs were already becoming resistant to it).
Finally, you can get rid of bed bugs without it. But make sure you have them first.
Oh my gosh! I have the exact, identical thing, literally. I am going nuts! I left everything behind, moved to new place, couple months later a rash, now new moles and or freckles. I am re leaved to hear you say this but at the same time, not sure what to do. Have you found anything out? I just need some sanity, I cannot hardly cope let alone go out other than to work. Please reply-I live in Northern, KY!
Lisa, I would recommend that
a) you consult a dermatologist (there have been people who have had excellent experiences doing so, and have received a reasonable explanation that lets them relax);
b) you have your new home inspected, either by a very knowledgeable PCO who knows bedbugs, or by a competent bedbug dog team (neither is easy to find in some places but do your best to find the most experienced you can)
c) undertake your own investigation of the matter. It’s not easy but there is an answer to the question “do I have bedbugs again?” and it takes work and a cold, analytical mind but you can emerge from this period of uncertainty.
I do not recommend that you just hope for the best. I was wrong once about my reactions, and right the second time. More experience, more knowledge? Who knows. But I do not recommend the experience. I know what you are going through. Grab some good inspection tools and get to work. You will also feel better by your activity, rather than just worrying. Good luck.
I have just been hit! This is the worst nightmare possible! I thought I was going crazy for weeks….sooo friggen itchy…but no explaination for it. I looked everywhere. I admit I did have a few blood specs around the bottom and top of my bed – but I have been scratching and making myself bleed so just thought it was from that. No sign in the mattress, or bed…..Then last night – I was soooo sure I could feel things crawling on me. I would flip on the light and rip back the covers – nothing. Then completely sleepless I went and watchd some TV in the living room – but before I did I took the covers off mt husband and left the door open. At around 3am I quietly tuned on the light and looked at the bed. And I saw one! And then closer I saw two nymps! Hardly there but there……
Neither of us went to work today – and for the first time my husband actually had marks on him too. Now he is taking me seriously! I called a few pest control places, but eventually asked my super. I think it was us who brought them into our building from a friends cottage where we brought our own blankets…so brought them home. That is where the bites started – but I assumed it was just bug bites.
Pest control is coming in 2 days, and I have been cleaning everything. The super knows it is me, but luckily he is just taking action. Says they will come out 3 times in total….hoepfully they will come more if we still have a problem. We plan on trying to do a 3am attack tonignt….
In addition to the vaccuming and laundry, thoughing out most of our blankets and linen, what can I do to help? Is there pesisides that work? Sprays for my bed frame? It has been 2 months since I think we picked them up – has it gone to long already for a quick successful clean?
I know that I will be itchy and paranoid for years to come…I am soooooo upset that this has happened!
Get prep instructions from the PCO. Make sure they want you to prep before you come. (Some PCOs will want to inspect before you turn the place inside out and clean all the evidence away.) Do the prep as specified.
I would not start self-treating with pesticides (anything you spray or dust should be OK’d by the PCO as part of his/her treatment plan).
See our FAQs for tips to help you deal with clothing and stuff.
And if you want to discuss this further, please come to the forums, you will get many more responses there:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/
Recently I had like 3 big Red bumps on my right cheek. 2 days later I had 3 on the Left Cheek.
I think they are bed bug bite.
Problem is I am so worried abut it.
the bumps are red and big, I had a very clear skin so far and now seeing 3 red bumps on my left cheek and 3 on my right has made me very nervous and frustrated.
How do I get rid of them or shud I ask how long will it take for them to go.
I have done the Infestation control.
But these bumps are killing me man!
Can someone help
Gary,
Try not to itch the bumps. If they are bed bug bites, they should not last long.
Please make sure you treat the infestation aggressively. An experienced pest control operator is your best bet.
If you want to discuss this further, please come to our forums:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/
Kelly:
I see that you’re in Santa Monica, Ca. I’m in Long Beach. I can’t find a PCO that seems to know what they are dealing with and feel completely alone with this problem. May I ask which PCO you are using? I’m losing my mind!
Desiree,
Kelly left her comment over 16 months ago. I recommend asking in the forums for recommendations:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/
For those feeling invisible bites and have bite marks, what you may be experience are biting mites, with the common ones being bird mites and rat mites. They are virtually microscopic and may appear as a spec if that so they are very hard to find. A person’s home and car can be easily infested and they are extremely hard to get rid of. You’ll fee itchy crawling sensations, as well as pin-prick stings from time to time. You also may notice ppl around you starting to itch alot when they are around you. Everyone knows about bedbugs and dust mites but not too much about biting mites. For more info about these relatively unknown critters, check out http://www.birdmites.org. Infestations will truly drive ppl insane!
Kihun,
Good pest control pros can find and get rid of bird mites. (I would choose a company big enough to have a consulting entomologist, so they can figure out what kind of mites you have.)
Bird mites do sound quite awful but we are told they are treatable.
I seem to have experienced both the phantom “bites” as well as the real bites intermittenly. I think that there are many different things going on here, including rehashing old bites, both adult and nymph bites, as well as urticaria. I actually discovered urticaria before I knew I had bugs. One thing about it is that you can actually create welts or ‘wheels’ by scratching or even brushing against your skin. It also makes my skin feel prickley like a bunch of little pinprick, which makes me itchy and then if I scratch I can actually produce welts that look like bites in a row that follow my scratching paths. There is one characteristic about being bit that makes me unique which is that I have had allergic reactions. one of the first times I was bit by adults right on the jugular and I woke up with symptoms of anaphylaxis, and went to the bathroom and vomited followed by weekness, fever, and was sick with what I concluded was the result of brain-swelling all of the next day. I never went to a doctor because I’m poor, and it took me about 6mos. to find a bug suctioned to my leg and I finally figured out what my problem was. I thought I had tuberculoses or mold allergies. SO when I’m bit I tend to know it, and when it’s urticaria or old bites, I don’t feel like death. I know that I still have bugs and am working on it, but i also have been experiencing phantom bites. Also, my allergy sensitivities tend to build up a tolerance like drugs, If I go a long time w/ out being bit, I tend to get pretty sick the next time it happens even if it’s only a couple of small bites. I hope that you can all use this info, and also find comfort in the fact that although bed bugs suck (literally) and I affetionally refer to them as a stuff STD or possesion transmitted infestation (PTI) atleast you can find comfort in the fact that it has never been life threatening, and that youhave money for a doctor, let alone pest control. I am using silicon dioxide mixed with pyrethrins, a product called “results” bug powder. seems to have been helping.
OK here’s an update on my situation w/ bedbugs and allergies- I believe it’s been sometime since I have been bit. The past week I have been sleeping in a trailor that I know to be ‘clean’ and I don’t bring shoes, bags, or anything else into this sleaping space. Yet I’ve been having severe allergic reactions repeatedly that seem to onset in the evenings and behave eratically w/ out warning. I’m wondering if I am going through some kind systemic illness or if the bug-Antigen protiens are continually being worked out of my skin and I’m reacting. If this is the case, then it would be quite possible that these protiens are hanging around in all of our skins causing subsequent Urticaria/ phantom bites every time we aggrevate them or our bodies attemp to metabolize them. Will be going to see the doctor and keep everyone posted.
upon seeing a doctor who has no experience w/ BB’s, was told that an allergic response cannot happen (or is not known) unless the antigens or offending proteins are present. Was also told that following an allergic response one can have a buildup of histamine et. al that will make a person more sensitive in the presence of other possible allergens. This means that because of BB bite’s people may develop a sensitivity to other things if I am to understand properly.
Anyone else who has experienced potential asphyxiation or respiratory failure as result of bedbugs- don’t listen to conventional advice, be prepared with antihistamines for possible resurgence. Maybe this is a subject for a valuable new thread.
“Anyone else who has experienced potential asphyxiation or respiratory failure as result of bedbugs- don’t listen to conventional advice, be prepared with antihistamines for possible resurgence.”
Anyone who has experienced a life-threatening reaction to bed bugs should definitely get a good doctor’s advice about being prepared for such a thing to happen again.
If bed bugs are still present in the home, they should also seek professional medical advice about whether it is safe for them to return home.
“If bed bugs are still present in the home, they should also seek professional medical advice about whether it is safe for them to return home.”
I agree entirely with nobugsonme on this matter and am not suggesting that someone forego sound medical advice for my own.
That being said I have found that I have a blood infection that my doctor believes may be pacific lyme’s disease (a less common strain that occurs in the pacific northwest) which was the likely cause of my ongoing allergic attacks after removal from the bugs.
I will be posting results from my western blot test in this thread:http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-dont-believe-that-bedbugs-dont-carry-disease.
Also, this type of infection can cause chronic urticaria, which would behave very much like “phantom bites” if anyone develops symptoms like sore joints or a fever following bedbug exposure I would recommend speaking with a doctor about a blood test.
hey everyoen u are not alone we got em too this si becoming a serious problem in north america and especially where i live in edmonton ab canada we have sprayed 5 times! already adn counting we have anohter spray due this week man i hate these things fuck bed bugs
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