We often hear this from new Bedbuggers–that no matter where they go, they feel they’re being bitten and crawled on. But it’s unlikely.
Although you may feel the bites begin to itch any time during your day, and even days after you are bitten, you probably don’t feel them when they actually occur. So if you feel you are being bitten, don’t assume there are bed bugs in that space.
The feeling of bugs crawling on your skin is technically called formication, and we don’t fully understand it, but it may be caused by your allergy to bed bugs, or by bites already received (which often don’t itch until hours or even days after you’re bitten). It can sometimes be caused by delusional parasitosis (and this can even happen to people who have suffered from bed bugs in the past.)
As our FAQ (”What else could be causing this?”) states,
This American Entomologist article by Nancy C. Hinkle is entitled “Delusory Parasitosis” (click here to load a PDF), and it outlines how very real environmental, physical, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms to a bed bug infestation, including itching, crawling sensations (formication), skin conditions and rashes.
But in most cases, where bed bugs are still living in your environment, I believe formication is felt by Bedbuggers because we are reacting to something real. However, it was important for me to realize that this creepy crawly itchy feeling does not mean there is anything actually crawling on me at that moment (at least there wasn’t the 100 or so times i looked.)
To ensure that you truly are not being bitten all day long, even outside of your home, you might want to keep your washed clothes in sealed bags, and shower and change into clean clothes from a sealed bag when you go out (to avoid spreading bugs). Keep shoes and bags in a sealed place too. Frequent showers and/or hot showers can dry your skin and make itching worse. Use a moisturizer like Cetaphil or Aveeno or another that does not contain perfumes or dyes, to make sure your skin isn’t dry, which can make things worse.
Bed bugs excrete a substance that makes you NOT notice being bitten, and they’re also lightweight, adept travelers, and so you should not feel them crawling or biting. the itching might come soon after or much later. It may be worse in the hours after a shower, or if you’re in a warm room. S did some bite tests and reported feeling the crawling feeling as the bed bug walked away after its meal (and only after). However, most people glance at their skin when they feel formication, as I did, and see nothing. Most people check tens or hundreds of times. So I feel pretty safe saying most people don’t feel a bed bug biting them or waddling away. In fact, S is the first person I have heard this from, and she only reported this when she was purposefully being bitten and in full knowledge of when it occurred.
And try very hard not to scratch bed bug bites. This can take a huge act of will, but if you do it, you will itch less. A scratched bed bug bite itches more and longer.
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SFGirl, yes, unfortunately.
On the other hand a lot of other issues can cause itchiness (like dryness).
If you think you may still have bed bugs, or may have been reinfested, a bed bug sniffing dog — although priecy — may be helpful (with the caveat that all are not equal).
I have had the sensation of itching all day and was going bananas in my first infestation. Every where I went I felt like I had a bug on me. Well, I did. I was going to the bathroom and found a bloodsucker in the elastic of my panties. I found that the tiny ones will travel with you if you do not keep your clothes sealed.
What is Diatomaceous Earth? And does it really kill bedbugs?
Janthina,
Read this FAQ on Diatomaceous Earth. Please come to the forums if you have further questions.
Have you heard of these vapor strips the give off a vapor that kills bedbugs? How good are the in the war on bedbugs?
I think you’re thinking of vapona (DDVP or dichlorvos) strips. Their use is controversial but you can find discussions of it in our forums. Click here: http://bedbugger.com/forum/tags/ddvp
2-3 days ago, I felt (what I assume was) a bed bug crawling on me. I felt it crawling on my arm after it finished a meal, and ONLY THEN did I see and kill it (I wish I had kept the remains). There are two very bedbug-like bites where the bug was, and blood splattered on my thumb when I killed it, and the appearance of the bug matched the pictures here, so I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with bedbugs.
Anyway, if the bug is heavy enough to feel crawling around (I.E. an adult that finished feeding), the sensation will linger and probably move around. I’ve experienced a lot of formication since I began researching, but the formication stays stationary and feels “lighter” than the bug was. It will also fade after a couple of seconds.
Also, does massaging the bite count as “scratching” it?
Hi Kitty,
Thanks for your comment.
Some people report feeling a bed bug and then finding one as you did, though this does not seem to be the typical experience. Many people feel something, and look, and find nothing.
I suggest not scratching as this should mean bites itch less. (It also makes them less likely to get infected.)
We have heard applying an ice cube to an itchy bite can be helpful.
However, you will have to experience with massaging them. Please let us know if this makes things worse or better for you.
I must report that the vapor strips work and worked well. I manage a twenty unit building that was treated for a month with the strips and we are happy to see NO ACTIVITY! Also, none of our move ins have reported activity with fresh bait in these treated units. I hope all is well.
Janthina,
As I understand (and I am not an expert by any means), these strips are labeled and intended for use in spaces not occupied by humans.
Was your building evacuated?
Only empty unit were treated with the strips. Most of the building was unoccupied. Our exterminator said that the strips were not to be used in occupied spaces.
That is an important bit of information. Thanks for the response, Janthina. I would follow a professional’s advice for using DDVP strips.
Wow I feel terrible with these bugs on me but I understand the whole mind game thing with the bugs. Even thinking bout the bugs right now makes them crawl bu of coarse that’s in my mind. I’m figting the war now and its terrible, I think its ww3 and like cockroaches, bedbugs are up there. Plz someone pray for me. Lol. I think I might die from these things!
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