Comments on: World exclusive: Bedbuggers experiment with being bitten, on purpose! (Part 2) http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Fri, 16 May 2008 22:58:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: badlybugged http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-8122 badlybugged Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:22:20 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-8122 Shortly after my first "Spray and Pray" treatment of my bedroom, I went to the dermatologist at the PCO's suggestion to confirm that I indeed had bb bites. The Dr. confirmed that I had a hair follicle infection/inflammation consistent with an insect bite. The inflamed hair follicles present much confusion about the bb bites. My conclusion is that at different stages the bites are of varying severity. I still believe this to be true, because, although I continue to get bitten, I get the white pustules only intermittently. Shortly after my first “Spray and Pray” treatment of my bedroom, I went to the dermatologist at the PCO’s suggestion to confirm that I indeed had bb bites. The Dr. confirmed that I had a hair follicle infection/inflammation consistent with an insect bite. The inflamed hair follicles present much confusion about the bb bites. My conclusion is that at different stages the bites are of varying severity. I still believe this to be true, because, although I continue to get bitten, I get the white pustules only intermittently.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-6581 nobugsonme Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:31:22 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-6581 Ruth, you should also look at the link ABOVE to "bed bug bites (photos)". Because everyone's bites do not look the same. It sounds like you found some that look like yours here. However, there are other conditions that can cause similar marks and itching. See the FAQs (Bed Bugs 101) for more information: http://bedbugger.com/faqs Ruth, you should also look at the link ABOVE to “bed bug bites (photos)”. Because everyone’s bites do not look the same. It sounds like you found some that look like yours here. However, there are other conditions that can cause similar marks and itching. See the FAQs (Bed Bugs 101) for more information:
http://bedbugger.com/faqs

]]> By: RUTH http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-6578 RUTH Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:07:08 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-6578 IT IS 3:00 AM AND IM RESEARCHING BED BUGS AND I HAVE TO SAY TO S&G THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!! I'VE SEARCHED LONG AND HARD TO FIND ACTUAL PICS OF BITES, EVEN THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY INFO DIDNT HAVE BITE PICS, I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A STRESS RELATED SKIN CONDITION AND WAS READY TO GIVE UP AND JUST DEAL WITH IT BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE INFO SITE WHERE YOU WERE LOW AND BEHOLD YOU HAD MY BB BITES. I'M SINCERLY SORRY FOR WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH BUT I'M NOT SORRY FOR THE RESULTS AGAIN THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR YOUR TROUBLE. I'M INDEBTED TO YOU NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. MAY ALL BB DIE! I KNOW MINE WILL!!!!! IT IS 3:00 AM AND IM RESEARCHING BED BUGS AND I HAVE TO SAY TO S&G THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!! I’VE SEARCHED LONG AND HARD TO FIND ACTUAL PICS OF BITES, EVEN THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY INFO DIDNT HAVE BITE PICS, I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A STRESS RELATED SKIN CONDITION AND WAS READY TO GIVE UP AND JUST DEAL WITH IT BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE INFO SITE WHERE YOU WERE LOW AND BEHOLD YOU HAD MY BB BITES. I’M SINCERLY SORRY FOR WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH BUT I’M NOT SORRY FOR THE RESULTS AGAIN THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR YOUR TROUBLE. I’M INDEBTED TO YOU NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. MAY ALL BB DIE! I KNOW MINE WILL!!!!!

]]> By: wantmyskinback http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2341 wantmyskinback Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:45:29 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2341 Ah... ok. Ah… ok.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2337 nobugsonme Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:07:59 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2337 WMSB, NO, I was not referring to you as someone who was being bitten. I was referring to someone else from that conversation (name deleted here). I would not speculate on the source of someone's itching, I say this because we were told it was so, and not long after the discussions on lingering sensations. WMSB, NO, I was not referring to you as someone who was being bitten. I was referring to someone else from that conversation (name deleted here). I would not speculate on the source of someone’s itching, I say this because we were told it was so, and not long after the discussions on lingering sensations.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2336 nobugsonme Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:03:10 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2336 I concur with Julie about location, and both S and myself (in an editorial note) have thoughts about that in Part 3 which is coming Friday at 9 am. I thnk we will all have some interesting conversations after part 3 (and as S and G continue with skin-watch, there may be more follow-ups still to come.) Willow, I think there may be some truth in women writing more about their problems, but I personally think it's likely men are not reacting as often, and so don't have as much cause to do so. I think plenty of men do go online for solutions and to share tales of woe. And we know plenty of men are itch or bite-free in a home with a bitten woman. We hear it from those women all the time, and we hear it from some of those men (who are mensches and want their significant others to stop suffering!) Speaking of which: Bugz, good ideas. I think the "test bug on skin" (unlike the voluntary bites) is something most people should try should they have the chance. If there is a reaction, reactions to other substances should be tested. An allergist could probably test chitin reactions, though there may be a difference (from what I've read) between being allergic to shellfish and being allergic to chitin from an insect. Part 3 was already written yesterday, but due to the magic of computers, will appear on the internets at 9am EST Friday, as its predecessors have done. I concur with Julie about location, and both S and myself (in an editorial note) have thoughts about that in Part 3 which is coming Friday at 9 am. I thnk we will all have some interesting conversations after part 3 (and as S and G continue with skin-watch, there may be more follow-ups still to come.)

Willow, I think there may be some truth in women writing more about their problems, but I personally think it’s likely men are not reacting as often, and so don’t have as much cause to do so. I think plenty of men do go online for solutions and to share tales of woe. And we know plenty of men are itch or bite-free in a home with a bitten woman. We hear it from those women all the time, and we hear it from some of those men (who are mensches and want their significant others to stop suffering!)

Speaking of which: Bugz, good ideas. I think the “test bug on skin” (unlike the voluntary bites) is something most people should try should they have the chance. If there is a reaction, reactions to other substances should be tested. An allergist could probably test chitin reactions, though there may be a difference (from what I’ve read) between being allergic to shellfish and being allergic to chitin from an insect.

Part 3 was already written yesterday, but due to the magic of computers, will appear on the internets at 9am EST Friday, as its predecessors have done.

]]> By: bugzinthehood http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2334 bugzinthehood Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:50:03 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2334 This Comment has two parts 1. Excellent experiment. We need more like this. I advocate to go even farther. I think research should be done in a sleep lab using night vision goggles or infrared tracking to pinpoint all the BB's behaviors: when do they come out? where do they prefer to hide? Would using a CPAP mask and venting it elsewhere prevent CO2 detection, and confuse them? etc. 2. Chitin. Chitin is found in a myriad of things you wouldn't dream of. Are you eating shrimp, crab or lobster? Well, those shells aren't made out of plastic. Chitin is now used in a variety of products you may not even know of. It is used in vitamin capsule casings, surgical sutures. The following I pasted from a chitin website. Make-up powder nail polish; moisturizers; face, hand, and body creams; and toothpaste, Dietary Supplements: Chitosan has properties similar to plant fiber and can significantly bind fat, acting like a sponge in the digestive tract. It is not digestible itself and the bound fat leaves via the body without ever entering the bloodstream. So any of these things may provoke an allergic reaction without any bedbugs in site. This Comment has two parts

1. Excellent experiment. We need more like this. I advocate to go even farther. I think research should be done in a sleep lab using night vision goggles or infrared tracking to pinpoint all the BB’s behaviors: when do they come out? where do they prefer to hide? Would using a CPAP mask and venting it elsewhere prevent CO2 detection, and confuse them? etc.

2. Chitin. Chitin is found in a myriad of things you wouldn’t dream of. Are you eating shrimp, crab or lobster? Well, those shells aren’t made out of plastic.
Chitin is now used in a variety of products you may not even know of. It is used in vitamin capsule casings, surgical sutures. The following I pasted from a chitin website.

Make-up powder nail polish; moisturizers; face, hand, and body creams; and toothpaste, Dietary Supplements: Chitosan has properties similar to plant fiber and can significantly bind fat, acting like a sponge in the digestive tract. It is not digestible itself and the bound fat leaves via the body without ever entering the bloodstream. So any of these things may provoke an allergic reaction without any bedbugs in site.

]]> By: Julie http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2333 Julie Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:30 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2333 This is great information and I thank S and G for the sacrifice to give it to us. It must have been very difficult to go through. My only comment is that when I was getting bit, the location of the bite seemed to affect how I reacted to it. Bites on very fleshy parts of my body (i.e. underarms, legs, etc.) turned into big, itchy welts. But, bites that seemed to be right over bone (eye brow, upper cheek) were small little bumps (actually, I got bit on my eye brow twice and there was no bump, it just got itchy and red) and they weren't that itchy. I'm not saying that S's small bumps are bed bug bites! I'm just saying that I think the location of the bite can affect the reaction. This is great information and I thank S and G for the sacrifice to give it to us. It must have been very difficult to go through. My only comment is that when I was getting bit, the location of the bite seemed to affect how I reacted to it. Bites on very fleshy parts of my body (i.e. underarms, legs, etc.) turned into big, itchy welts. But, bites that seemed to be right over bone (eye brow, upper cheek) were small little bumps (actually, I got bit on my eye brow twice and there was no bump, it just got itchy and red) and they weren’t that itchy. I’m not saying that S’s small bumps are bed bug bites! I’m just saying that I think the location of the bite can affect the reaction.

]]> By: lieutenantdan http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2331 lieutenantdan Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:00:18 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2331 Just some info on lesions I wish to add that may help. Back in April or May 2006 before we discovered the bugs my wife was experiencing what we now know as bb bites. She was waking up at 5 or 6 am itching and I was not having the experience she was having. This went on for a few weeks (hard to remember exact times) The only experience that I can recall is that after some time had past I started to notice a couple of hard pimples on the back of my head. Now after six months of the discovery and three treatments and steaming and DE applications I have a rash on my arms followed by a rash on my chest. Note that I have also had my office treated and I applied some DE in strategic locations. No specimens have been found in ten weeks in both locations. I am speculating that I in fact had been bitten at the same time as my wife but had delayed reactions that I am now experiencing. I love the salt water and sunshine, the first chance I get I am hoping a beach day will help my skin rash. I do acknowledge the possibilities that the rash may appear again in the fall. Just some info on lesions I wish to add that may help.
Back in April or May 2006 before we discovered the bugs my wife was experiencing what we now know as bb bites. She was waking up at 5 or 6 am itching and I was not having the experience she was having. This went on for a few weeks (hard to remember exact times)
The only experience that I can recall is that after some time had past I started to notice a couple of hard pimples on the back of my head.
Now after six months of the discovery and three treatments and steaming and DE applications I have a rash on my arms followed by a rash on my chest.
Note that I have also had my office treated and I applied some DE in strategic locations.
No specimens have been found in ten weeks in both locations.
I am speculating that I in fact had been bitten at the same time as my wife but had delayed reactions that I am now experiencing. I love the salt water and sunshine, the first chance I get I am hoping a beach day will help my skin rash. I do acknowledge the possibilities that the rash may appear again in the fall.

]]> By: willow-the-wisp http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2330 willow-the-wisp Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:59:53 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/19/bitefest2/#comment-2330 WOW WOW WOW! Hymenoptera has some deep thoughts there. I suppose if people who slept together ... and one was "being bitten" and one "was not being bitten" that they might propose to exchange places in the bed for like a week and see if that does anything to shed more light on this skin thing??? As for G ... could be that a delayed reaction will "arise" (pardon the pun G.) or it could also be that, as I've heard form some other people--they react only in the first bite or the first few bites. This would lead me to suggest that some people (male and/or female) could possibly have this happen and just not realize it, (considering the insidiousness and covert growth of populations.) For me--and I’ve said it once before ... the so called, self-diagnosed "stress-boil" I had on my right thigh" around Christmas/New Years ... could have been my first bite. I still have a nickel sized, white-like fatty encapsulated pustule there on my lovely loin--and I suspect it will be there for the rest of my life too. Very pertinent too, are NBOM statements: more women may be visiting the sight and more women may be talking about the bites. Chintin ... (spelling) sounds more like a Creole dish rather than a chemical in the shed skins of the instar, but that too is not ruled out in this experiment yet. I suspect we will be talking about S. and G. for a long time to come, and not just for their heroic efforts but due to the fact that S's lingering sensations and bumps have been so widely variable over a long period of time while G is seemingly not sensitive or has very easily become immuned. Please guys scratch/itch--cough it up and spill the beans on how your bites are affecting you. BIB suggested we have a proper skin chat which, I do think is highly in order: FYI when BBWarrior wrote me about her husbands terrible lumps and swelling--I had to toss my partly thought out hormonally based little skin chat theory down the tubes, which; I was really more than happy to do! We need to here more from the guys as well as the girls! Me? It’s like a creepy crawly feeling a great sensitivity comes and goes to things I wear. I have seen a few guys out in SF recently just taking their sneakers off in public, and inspecting them. I do seem to get those pins and needle like reactions too—and it doesn’t seem to matter what’s on my mind or where I am. I get them everywhere and while I have not ruled out that the bugs are in my shoes—I am doubting feet would be a favorite place for them to bite, as—the skin there is so thick—especially on the heels--Supposition yes. Oh yeah S. oh yeah G. I can’t forget about thanking you again.    WOW WOW WOW! Hymenoptera has some deep thoughts there. I suppose if people who slept together … and one was “being bitten” and one “was not being bitten” that they might propose to exchange places in the bed for like a week and see if that does anything to shed more light on this skin thing???
As for G … could be that a delayed reaction will “arise” (pardon the pun G.) or it could also be that, as I’ve heard form some other people–they react only in the first bite or the first few bites. This would lead me to suggest that some people (male and/or female) could possibly have this happen and just not realize it, (considering the insidiousness and covert growth of populations.)
For me–and I’ve said it once before …
the so called, self-diagnosed “stress-boil” I had on my right thigh” around Christmas/New Years … could have been my first bite. I still have a nickel sized, white-like fatty encapsulated pustule there on my lovely loin–and I suspect it will be there for the rest of my life too.

Very pertinent too, are NBOM statements: more women may be visiting the sight and more women may be talking about the bites.

Chintin … (spelling)
sounds more like a Creole dish rather than a chemical in the shed skins of the instar, but that too is not ruled out in this experiment yet. I suspect we will be talking about S. and G. for a long time to come, and not just for their heroic efforts but due to the fact that S’s lingering sensations and bumps have been so widely variable over a long period of time while G is seemingly not sensitive or has very easily become immuned.
Please guys scratch/itch–cough it up and spill the beans on how your bites are affecting you. BIB suggested we have a proper skin chat which, I do think is highly in order: FYI when BBWarrior wrote me about her husbands terrible lumps and swelling–I had to toss my partly thought out hormonally based little skin chat theory down the tubes, which; I was really more than happy to do!
We need to here more from the guys as well as the girls!
Me? It’s like a creepy crawly feeling a great sensitivity comes and goes to things I wear. I have seen a few guys out in SF recently just taking their sneakers off in public, and inspecting them. I do seem to get those pins and needle like reactions too—and it doesn’t seem to matter what’s on my mind or where I am. I get them everywhere and while I have not ruled out that the bugs are in my shoes—I am doubting feet would be a favorite place for them to bite, as—the skin there is so thick—especially on the heels–Supposition yes.
Oh yeah S. oh yeah G. I can’t forget about thanking you again.   

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