http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:12:11 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-come-and-go-look-differentlyi-need-to-believe-im-overreacting#post-62556 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:12:54 +0000 dreamyingreen 62556@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Oh, where to start...</p> <p>I have been reading BedBugger.com for many months now and finally came to the point when I need some extra support. I have been fighting this problem for 6 months and I think most friends, family, etc. have run out of genuine empathy :( </p> <p>A little background: My infestation began in June when someone in my building brought in the bed bugs. By the time we realized what was happening much of the building was severely infested. I had 3 professional exterminations and was extremely vigilant/borderline OCD about preparations and aftercare. I moved to a new apartment in August and just held my breath waiting for them to reappear. I had about 2 months of peace and only a few questionable bites (versus the undeniable mosquito-bite-like ITCHY welts that occurred before), and then I woke up one morning with the familiar old bite.</p> <p>Since then I have been getting 1-2 bites per week, some pimple-like, some splotchy red marks, some very slight welts that go away within a day or two. Sometimes I'll go a week or two with no marks at all! No bites have been undeniable except for the first one, and NONE itch (which is very unlike my previous reactions). Every time I start to feel hope begin to creep in, I get a new bite and I feel like giving up altogether.</p> <p>So...1) Is there ANY explanation apart from still having bed bugs (I know there are no fleas, mosquitos, or a significant spider infestation)? 2) Why does my skin suddenly react so differently to the bites now that I am in my new apartment? 3) Wouldn't I be getting more and more bites each week if the problem were bed bugs? 4) Am I just going to stop reacting altogether (or has this possibly started) and I am potentially covered in bites I don't know about?!</p> <p>Thank you ahead of time for any thoughts, advice, or support. </p> <p>P.S. I have been applying Diatect Results indoor insect killer for the past 4 weeks with no significant results, and have found no evidence of bed bugs during my application of the dust. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/questions-on-babies-and-bites#post-62791 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:16:37 +0000 bgrebel 62791@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello. I have been batting b. bugs for about 4-5 months, and am fairly knowledgeable about them. I thought I had finally eradicated them after moving and not seeing any bugs or signs FOR A MONTH. However, I think they are back. I continue to get small, very tiny clear round bumps on my body. They don't itch very much at all like a normal b. beg bite; they just itch for one month then i find a clear round little bump within a couple minutes. The bumps usually go away within 10-15 minutes. </p> <p>Are these baby bed bug bites? Do baby bed bug bites actually cause physical bumps? I know they itch but I am not sure about whether they cause any skin irritation. I am getting these tiny bumps, 2-3 times a day and am freaking out.</p> <p>I am assuming I still have them and thus- am vacuuming every day, spraying rubbing alcohol on my baseboards frequently, having professionals come continue to spray, and doing an unending array of laundry. I wash my sheets every couple of days as well.</p> <p>ANY ADVICE ON BABY BED BUG BITES? ANY ADVICE ON HOW CAN I FINALLY STOP THIS NIGHTMARE? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/another-bite-question#post-62617 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:40 +0000 islandgal 62617@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have posted here before....</p> <p>In early September, my boyfriend, who is a landscaper, came home with bites all over his forearms, some singles, some in pairs, some in lines and groups. They were incredibly swollen and itchy. There were about 20 of them. A week later, he had more. I made him start wearing bug repellent and long sleeves to work. He didn't get anymore bites for 4 weeks after that, and in that time he had to work at other various sites. </p> <p>Fast forward to after the 4 weeks: bites have returned in the same manner. It seems likely he is being bitten at work, as the bites are only on his forearms - the only exposed skin while he is at work besides his face. He only got the bites while working on a site that was in a particular mountainous area. But, since we are due to visit his family at the beginning of December, I wanted to be certain. So I scheduled the bed bug dog in. </p> <p>The team came exactly two weeks ago, did a visual inspection, and found nothing. They brought the dog in to confirm and he didn't find anything either. We live in an 800 sq ft basement suite of a house and the owner, his wife and little girl live upstairs. The inspection lasted about 45 minutes, and they were very thorough. I was then convinced that he had been bitten at work by some flying bug and relaxed. I just wanted the dog to inspect for peace of mind.</p> <p>5 fays after the dog inspection, I notice three small, red bumps in a line on my shoulder near where my bra strap would be. They were not itchy, I don't think. I thought they were pimples and put it out of my mind. Almost a week later, they were still there, so I tried to "pop" them. I think some pus came out, but they are quite small so it was hard to tell. They are now healing with a small scab in the centre. </p> <p>I admit, I have sensitive skin, excema, mild breakouts, ingrown hairs etc., but I have never "broken out" on my chest/shoulder area. I now have about 6 or 7 of the same bumps on both sides of my shoulder/chest area. Is it possible that I have just "broken out," or is it too much of a coincidence? Should I see a doctor, or have another inspection? I think maybe right now, I just need some peace of mind again :( </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-you-have-severe-reactions-to-bites#post-54084 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:17:21 +0000 Kimberleena 54084@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My life has basically been a living hell for the last 4 months. Short version... I lost my job, home, and car and was forced to move out of state (in with my boyfriend who was originally supposed to sell the house and move in with me) with few of my belongings and have been unemployed ever since. </p> <p>About a week after I moved in I started to find little red bumps... they were very little in the beginning, but they were also itchy. The bumps just got worse and worse. After about three weeks about 50% of my body was covered in the red itchy spots and rash. And of course my boyfriend had NOTHING. So the general consensus was that I was having a psychosomatic response to unhappiness about my life... well 10 weeks and 2 doctor visits later, nothing had changed. I'd been trying to self treat the "beasties" as I called them... which was hard because I couldn't find anything to let me know what they were. We bombed for fleas and mites. I also did a LOT of cleaning. I thought they were in the living room, because that was where I would discover new bumps. It took a couple months before my boyfriend realized his TINY red bumps could be the same as mine. </p> <p>It was about a month ago when I was in another cleaning frenzy that I finally SAW the bed bugs in our bed room. We called a PCO and started doing all the things we could find recommended to us. The good news is that things got better... for a bit. We aren't completely bug free, and I have the bumps to show for it.</p> <p>Here's the root of my question: How severe are some reactions? My bites swell up into VERY itchy, fluid filled blisters. If the blisters pop, they inevitably become scabs or infected sores (thanks to my poor immune system running out of energy after months of this.) I've noticed that sometimes the blisters will spread. One blister will turn into a patch of blisters. I've also recently started to have rashes without bumps that spread if scratched. UGH! It's very difficult to get jobs when you covered in sores and rashes. </p> <p>Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a higher allergic response? Is there any chance that I could be developing some kind of secondary infection or reaction? Being unemployed I have been relying on visits to a nurse practitioner at the health department. They don't actually test for things... so every time I visit they give me some new pills or creams and we basically hope it works. I'd love to go back in a couple weeks with some new ideas. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-to-deal-with-mite-bites-or-post-bb-mystery-bites#post-46439 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:37:18 +0000 sickandtired 46439@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok, I know most people on here are stressing and freaking about BBs, which I understand.</p> <p>But I'm in the post-BB phase that seems never-ending, and I could really use some insight on how to deal with possible mites or the "post-BB mystery bite". I've been in my new place 6-8 months, I'm now 99.9 % sure I have no BBs that I moved with me (thanks to dog inspection). But still I keep getting these strange hive-like red marks or "bites" on my chest &#38; back a few times a week or more. In the evenings especially, I get the crawly feelings while I'm working at my computer. Today in particular, it was a rainy humid morning, and I've got 3-4 large red marks on my chest upon waking. </p> <p>I've been taking Claritin daily for about a month, I've got a cream from the derm, I shower twice daily, sprinkle menthol talc on my skin, am still vacuuming/laundering a LOT especially my bedding/bed clothes. Etc Etc. </p> <p>But I'm just wondering if it is some kind of mite-- whether it's a dust mite allergy, or some computer- related mites that I've seen mentioned on here-- what is the best way to eliminate them? Would an alcohol/DE/Dawn soap mix work on them? Should I spray a mixture around my desk area/baseboards? Will washing floors with Murphy's Oil help for mites? </p> <p>Any suggestions and helpful ideas are most appreciated!! Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/tiniest-ever-pin-prick-red-bites-is-it-beds-bugs-going-crazy#post-62549 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:04:39 +0000 bugcrazylady 62549@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have searched my apt for bed bugs, and had an exterminator come twice, but still found nothing resembling a bed bug. Yet, I still seem to have some kind of bite. However, they look different from most bed bug bite photos I've seen. I'm trying to figure out what this is before I go crazy!</p> <p>I don't have a photo right now, but here are the symptoms... it looks like a tiny itty-bity red pin prick. Some are so small, I almost can't see them. And it isn't raised on a bump at all- the skin around the red dot is flat, but I can see that the red dot is actually a little hole, like a bite. </p> <p>They don't usually come in clusters grouped together. I will find one single one on my thigh and one on my arm, or stomach, or calf. I don't always get them late at night. I can get them while I am sitting on the couch eating dinner. But I do also see to get them when I am under my covers asleep. </p> <p>But I never find a bed bug! What could be biting me?! I am feeling so crazy, and everyone thinks I am crazy!</p> <p>Thanks to anyone who responds!</p> <p>Danielle </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/odd-bites-wondering-what-else-it-could-be#post-62132 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30:53 +0000 NewBlood 62132@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey everyone,</p> <p>A very quick sum up of things to this moment. Back in August I suddenly began getting extremely itchy bites around my ankles/feet with a few bites on my upper legs as well. I thought they may have just been chigger bites due to walking around outside the day before in some grass.</p> <p>Called a bed bug exterminator who uses a dog team - the dog alerted to a few places. Another sweep with the same company, but different team confirmed the first and also showed them in other locations in my apartment. (No one ever found a live bug, egg, skin, or stains). I decided that I would be treated anyway. During this time I was receiving about 1 - 2 bites a day (occurring in the morning hours - roughly around 6:30am is when they would begin to itch and appear).</p> <p>A week after treatment the bites were continuing (showing between 3 - 4 a day) and showing up either at 6:30 - 7:00pm, 3:00-3:30am, or shortly upon waking (6:30am). I never saw anything bite me, never saw a live bug, no blood stains, no eggs. My apartment was again scanned and 0 alerts! </p> <p>For the next three weeks however the bites continued to show up - as above - right on schedule. 1 - 4 bites a day at the times posted above. It didn't seem to matter what I was doing, they would magically appear during those time intervals. Yesterday the company returned (so roughly a month after the first 0 alert scan) and scanned again with the dog team that alerted roughly 12 times before - and again there were 0 alerts/hits. This morning I awoke with another bite on my stomach, and another on my left forearm.</p> <p>So I was wondering since I haven't found a single bed bug, skin, egg, or stain what else could it be? The bites are usually singular and show up anywhere on me (legs, stomach, arms, etc) save for my face. They seem to always show up at certain times as well which is very odd. I did notice that I have carpet beetle larvae - but I have rubbed them on my skin and had no allergic reaction (I also would think that the allergies to them would appear all over me, and not as single bite like marks anyway). I've scoured my apartment with a flashlight/magnifying glass and found no trace of them. Anyone have any ideas what else it could be? </p> <p>My doctor gave me scabies medicine to use - and now that I am in the clear I intend to use it tonight (I have to remove the bed cover and clean it - something I was hesitant to do without having another 0 alert result). Oh - for that matter how does one clean a protect-a-bed cover? I was intending to put it in the wash/dryer, but I am worried that may not work. Anyway, thanks in advance for any responses! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-and-cats#post-60425 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:54:35 +0000 DRKSD4848 60425@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Anyone have experience with bedbugs biting your cat? </p> <p>I'd assume if they were to bite a cat, they'd probably go for his/her ears (very little fur there). </p> <p>I assume it's fairly obvious, but I just wanted to know what to look for...</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/scars-itching#post-62451 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:44:30 +0000 watkinsnewan 62451@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My scares are starting to itch they have been healed for about a month.. is it possible for them to still be reacting to the bites .. or could it be something else. I don't itch anywhere else on my body just the scares and they are really itchy. I do think I have A BB bite on my arm but it doesn't look like the other bites I got from the BB and doesn't itch.. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/numbers#post-62111 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:27:14 +0000 soscared 62111@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have read everywhere that people can show bites anywhere from hours to 9 days after being bitten. But HOW MANY people tend to show them later rather than earlier? Is it common? Or is it that 98% of people show them within hours, and only a tiny sliver show them days later?</p> <p>Also, how common are bite-like reactions to pesticides? How possible is it really that things that look like bites are not bites, but reactions to chemicals, after 3 professional PCO treatments?</p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/25-new-bites#post-61886 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:51:23 +0000 watkinsnewan 61886@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>One of the boys went back in their room last night and he woke up with 25 bites on him an a BB in the bed..I spoke with the district manager (John)of Orkin an He is going to come out and do the treatment Himself Friday instead of the other guy (Kenny)He probably wasn't qualified enough...I think they didnt treat the bed frame its wood.. ....He seems really nice ... I hope this will be over soon..I really want to grab the OHDM and start spraying like A mad woman...but i am not....I am so devastated... all I want to do is cry.. All the boys are going back in the girls room and in the living room again... Just when I was starting to think they were almost gone... Why... BB... I wish this was so over... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/black-streams-after-second-treatment#post-61953 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:28 +0000 monkeybugger 61953@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>Just had my second treatment on 11/7. Last night was the first time I slept in my apartment. Metal bed, encasement, white sheets (laundered last night). I woke up this morning and there were two black streaks at the foot of my bed. Slept almost completely covered last night (but no socks). No bites today. Perhaps I didn't inspect the sheets for existing marks before I put them on the bed but I can't be sure. Please advise. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/will-bb-bite-through-clothing#post-61770 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:45:28 +0000 shaye 61770@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have searched the internet over and cannot find anything telling if bb's can bite you through your clothing. I found these creatures in my bed end of August and have been battling them since, not realizing they were also in my SUV, which I believe to be where they started since my mothers bldg became infected and I had been doing her laundry at my house for months by then, transporting it with my truck. So I think my battle has gone longer than it would have since I wasn't aware they were there, surely carrying them back in with us. My daughter and I are the only 2 in the house showing reaction to them and both have gotten bitten on our bottoms! Always in areas that had been covered with clothing when other skin was exposed. So does anyone know if they do get to you through your clothing or is it my dogs fleas that decided to eat on us too? I'm going insane at my house. Having to wash everything constantly and taking nerve meds along with sleeping pills just to rest. Also I always feel like bugs are on me when they are not! What is that all about? Or feels like needles stick in my skin periodically all day long with nothing there! I have never felt so alone and defeated in my life! Become paranoid about everything! Girls up the street have had head lice and I'm convinced that's now headed our way too! Help please </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mites-question-for-pcos-or-anyone-who-knows-mites-help#post-61452 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:01:53 +0000 earthangel 61452@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am pretty sure that what is torturing me and also my at-home assistant (who can't come anymore now) with bites and itches is some kind of mite. I am now also pretty sure it's from birds, as I found out our building has had a bird problem - briefly, hundreds and hundreds of them all over it at dawn daily because of someone who feeds them. Various maintenance/sanitation issues are ongoing for this well-kept nice building I live in. </p> <p>They are too small to see. My question is this - if you narrow it down to chicken mites, northern fowl mites, or rodent mites - do I have to know which it is? are the treatments really different for all of those? I'll still try to catch one, I've sent for a device KillerQueen recommended, but I am going crazy with endless laundering and huge disruption in a small space, so now that I know what I most probably probably have, I want to get the most powerful PCO treatment that will do the job.</p> <p>An additional reason for question - maybe I am too pessimistic, but I think I may have to "guide" any PCO I work with so I want to know as much as I can before I get mixed up with anyone. I read all the mites forums but I trust the people here the absolute most as to knowledge and integrity.</p> <p>I will be very happy if someone knows a NYC PCO who can deal with mites without my non-expert help!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bite-reactions-changing-over-time#post-26903 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:29:22 +0000 WelcometoFlatbush 26903@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> I understand that bed bug bite reactions can change over time. At first I only had the delayed reaction. With my most recent (confirmed) reactions i was bitten on 4 or 5 occasions over a month. The last set of bites swelled up dramatically almost immediately to the size of a dime or a penny and itched so bad i woke delirious starring at the bites before i realized who I was.</p> <p>Since i moved, ive only had flea bites looking reactions, sometimes i wake up with them. Its been a year so far and I have not had any reaction like that. My question is. Is it realistic that my reactions would be attenuated immediately after moving so drastically? My thoughts are that, no this isn't rational. i still cannot stop thinking it.</p> <p>Has anyone experienced a change in their reactions like this while still having a BB problem? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-long-after-first-exposure-do-new-bites-appear#post-51090 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:49:48 +0000 timetraveller61 51090@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was exposed to bb's Friday night in a hotel. It's now been about 72 hours and I noticed some new bites on my neck and face today. Could this be a delayed reaction to the original exposure? How long should I expect this? There's no evidence of them on my sheets at home so I'm hoping against hope that this is just part of the original attack and when it's over, it's over for good. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/house-centipede-will-eat-bed-bugs-but-may-cause-skin-reactions#post-17000 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:42:06 +0000 lieutenantdan 17000@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>House centipede will eat bed bugs but may cause skin reactions.</p> <p>Do you kill them or let them be?<br /> That is the question.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_centipede" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_centipede</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-other-bugs-bite-in-group-or-clusters#post-60591 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:34:14 +0000 islandgal 60591@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am wondering if anyone knows of any other bugs (apart from fleas) that also bites in groups (pairs, lines, clusters, etc.).</p> <p>My boyfriend runs a landscaping company, obviously he is outside daily. On September 10 of this year (6 weeks ago), I noticed he had about 20 bites on his forearms. He wears work pants and a t-shirt to work, and these bites started just above the elbow and went to just below the wrist, on both arms. There were single bites, pairs, loose lines of 4 and one really tight line of 6, only the only exposed parts of skin while he is at work.</p> <p>About a week or so after, he had even more bites, in the same places on his arms. I started making him put on Muskol (?) bug repellent on his exposed skin every morning before work. He told me that he had noticed tons of bugs flying around at his site, and that one of the other guys on the crew also had these bites in the same places. </p> <p>I searched everywhere for tell tale signs, mattress, mattress seams, carpet, pillows and cases, etc. and found nothing. We rent the bottom floor of an owner occupied home, which is near a forest. In the year that we have lived there, we have had all sorts of different kinds of bugs make their way into the house (none of which are bed bugs because everytime I catch one, I examine it carefully) and for this reason, we have a thin layer of DE in the space where the carpet meets the baseboards along the floor in the bedroom. I check behind the bed daily, and all I ever find are dead "wood" bugs, or "potato" bugs and carpet beetled that have been exposed to the DE. My boyfriend worked at a couple of other sites, and for a month, stopped getting bit. I relaxed somewhat, even though I was still monitoring for fecal matter, cast skins and actual bugs.</p> <p>Yesterday, he came home with bites again, just over a month after he last had them. Yes, he is back at the site where he was working when he was getting bit weeks ago. They are only on his forearms. We checked his back, shoulders, legs and stomach yesterday and there are no bites. He says at this particular site, there are tons of little bugs flying everywhere (not mosquitoes), and believes that those are what are biting him because he seems to get bit in the afternoon and only on the skin that is exposed while he is at work. I regularly check the mattress and haven't found ANYTHING. I haven't had any bites because, to be honest, I started sleeping on the couch in September, after he had come home with the first set of bites. </p> <p>I partly believe that he is being bit by something at work and that we don't have a bed bug issue. This seems logical after considering all of the facts. We do not buy used clothing or furniture, haven't stayed in a hotel for a year (where we checked the mattress and headboard for bugs), and don't live in an apartment. I know that SOMETHING is biting him. He often reacts to cedar and yew trees, and this looks nothing like that. I just want some sort of confirmation, I guess, that he is being bitten by some sort of outside bug while at work. I haven't been able to find any other signs- and my boyfriend says that with the amount of bites that he has had in total, there would be some sort of other evidence by now. He firmly believes that I am overreacting and refuses to have at PCO inspect because he doesn't want to alarm the owner of the house.</p> <p>I realize that I might be overreacting. I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, and found that the thought of bed bugs is a trigger for terrible panic attacks. These bites that my boyfriend has are definitely contributing to the level of my anxiety right now, so any thoughts or input would be so much appreciated. </p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/itch-relief#post-57360 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:56:58 +0000 bbfiend 57360@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Giving my 2 cents worth here. </p> <p>For itch, I've tried over the counter stuff, not useful for me as well something prescribed by my allergist. Again, did nothing, but helped my husband.</p> <p>Bought a small bottle of WHITE FLOWER OIL from a Chinese herbal shop (under $2) and took away the itch instantly. I pretty much only need to use it 3 times a day. Menthol/Eucalyptus like smell. Not bad. It also seems to me that if I put that on the moment I react, the reaction isn't as bad. No scientific proof but seems to work for me.</p> <p>The other product is a Thai talcum powder - PRICKLY HEAT POWDER. Cost about $3 for a large bottle. Available at any thai grocery store. Initially, when I was bitten, my husband wasn't. A week into it, I started using the powder all over my body when I go to bed. The bugs went to my husband. They don't seem to like the eucalyptus smell or whatever smell there is in the powder. Very minty too. </p> <p>Just my 2 cents worth. Thought to share esp with those who are highly allergic like me (largest welt is approx 12 inches long). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/will-mosquito-repellents-lessen-bites#post-54383 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:14:19 +0000 helpmeee 54383@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. I just woke up because I can't get myself to fall asleep at night. I really feel like my whole life has fallen apart. Financially we are strapped and for the first time I will not be able to pay most of my bills next month. I have already added another $1400 to my credit cards because of these BBs. Anyway, this is probably a stupid question because if it worked I would have heard about it, but my little guy has bites on him again today and I was wondering if any of the insect repellents work. I don't want to put it on him if it will be useless. Thanks guys for any feedback. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-7#post-60608 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:59:41 +0000 soscared 60608@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Is it weird that UNTIL the treatments, I wasn't being bitten very much, and after treatments I am getting bitten every day? Also, I don't get bitten at night at all, but during naptimes in the same bed during the day, I do. Isn't that odd? I know they bite at various times, but I am trying to figure out if maybe there is another pest here in addition to the bbs.<br /> Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/does-your-reaction-to-bites-change#post-57752 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:06:14 +0000 DeathToAllBBs 57752@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>About a month ago, I was bitten at work and they turned into obvious red welts/bumps. Since then, the only thing I've noticed are pimples on my back and neck. They're red but not like what I had the first time I was bit. Not as obvious or as red or even as large. Bite reactions wouldn't change from the obvious red bumps to what looks more like pimples now, would they? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-here-and-trying-to-figure-out-if-its-bb#post-60352 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:10:26 +0000 all4him 60352@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi. I'll tell you what's going on and see if you can tell me if this is typical BB stuff.</p> <p>About 3 weeks ago, I woke up with 5 "bites" on my belly on the right side under my waistband of my PJ bottoms. It was in a V shape with the top and bottom of the V about 4" apart. The next morning, there were a few more "bites" on my belly and within 4 or 5 days, I was at over 30 of them. I've now lost count. I still see the original "bites" which got much larger and darker but they're no longer raised or anything. I now have these marks all over my trunk from my hips to my breasts, under my arms next to my breasts (not in my armpits) and there are a few around my tailbone. I have none on my legs or arms, none on my upper chest, neck or face. It looks to me like a bad case of chicken pox although the "bites" don't have blisters or real centers to them. I'm not itchy in the least and I see no marks whatsoever on my bed. I am a side sleeper and so these areas that I have the bites are most likely what is contacting the mattress when I sleep. All of the area that's got the rash/bites are covered up but the parts of my body that are NOT covered have no bites at all.</p> <p>Additionally, my husband has SEVERE eczema and he sleeps right next to me - yet he has not one thing on his body that looks like a bite. Is it possible for only one person in the bed to be bitten? Is it typical for this TERRIBLE looking rash/bites to not be itchy at all (I'm terribly itchy with regular bug bites like gnats and mosquitos and I'm highly allergic to poison ivy so I DO get itchy easily)? I've done a pretty deep inspection of my bed, including stripping the bed of the allergy cover and looking EVERYWHERE and I have not seen one bit of evidence of BB. I looked at all of the seams and gussets of the mattress and box spring (I didn't open the box spring to look inside, however), in the seams of the sheets, in the frame, etc. and have seen nothing.</p> <p>So, could this be bedbugs? How can I tell if it really is? I'm going to try to get in with the doctor this week to see what I can do about the rash/bites (not sure what it is so not sure what to call it). Like I said, it's been 3 weeks or so since this started and I still have marks from the first bites and none of the "bites" have cleared up at all. Is that typical too?? </p> <p>Thanks for your help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bb-bites-look-like-pustules-whiteheads#post-60370 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:04:51 +0000 pleasebugsgoaway 60370@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>my older son had clearcut bites w/ a visible puncture wound in the center. Then we got treated, and have been bite-free for 2.5 weeks, until my youngest son (18 months) developed a single pustule (pimple-like bump w/ white center) on his wrist. He never scratches it. I'm of course praying that it's something other than a bedbug bite, but not optimistic. He did have 2-3 other transient red bumps on his neck, but he's a rash-y kid in general and I can ignore those, whereas the thing on his wrist is unignorable. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/derm-says-dust-mites#post-60148 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:01:43 +0000 Studentessa 60148@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm spending a semester abroad in Rome and at the end of August I took a weekend trip to Florence where I picked up bed bugs. I've seen the bed bugs and have the characteristic bites but it's been ridiculously hard to get the administrators of my study abroad program to understand the problem and do anything about it. They initially thought I had an allergy to dust mites but eventually I got the message through to them that it was something different. Throughout this whole time I've been sleeping at a friend's apartment or on the couch in my apartment and whenever I sleep anywhere besides my own bed, I don't get bitten. I've tried sleeping in my bed after a couple of treatments (insecticide, liquid nitrogen) but I still get bitten.</p> <p>The admins took me to a dermatologist here in Rome who is absolutely convinced that I am particularly sensitive to dust mites that live in Rome. When I told him that I had seen the bed bugs and had no bites or itchiness as long as I didn't sleep in my own bed (even if I slept in the very same apartment), he gave me some story about how I could have a delayed reaction. Then when I said I would have bites every time after I slept in my bed, he said I could have an immediate reaction. It sounded like bull to me, but the administrator who brought me to this doctor was convinced. </p> <p>I have two concerns: The first is that I won't be able to get anymore treatments for bed bugs because the people in charge think it's something else and because everything we've done to get rid of bed bugs specifically hasn't really worked. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of dust mites or bed mites that could help me show them the difference between that and bed bugs? </p> <p>I'm also wondering if anyone has any experience with liquid nitrogen. That was one of the treatments I've had in my room and it doesn't seem to have worked. Does this typically take more than one treatment to be effective? </p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/this-is-my-crazy-story#post-60255 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:22:36 +0000 sweetz0625 60255@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am new to this site. Here is my story.</p> <p>In May so about 6 months ago, I started getting itching down there, and started going to the gyno (never had anything wrong with the skin, which is where it itches ALL THE TIME). They did find something else wrong, and I had surgery for it, but that has nothing to do with the itching. Anyways, the itching now 6 months later is STILL THERE.<br /> Just a little over a week ago went to the dermatologist because I cant live like this. I can't even wear underwear because it ITCHES. Anyways, the dermatologist didnt see anything, and examined the area (the pubic mound). She said that there were no visible problems (just redness), but since I was itching so bad, she took a biopsy. The biopsy just recently revealed highest probability of arthropod bites.<br /> I have been given a cream to rub from my head to the bottom of my feet 1x a week for 2 weeks, and I was given a prescription strength I think hydrocortisone cream. Today was my first day trying underwear again after 1 week on the cream (have to use ot for 1 month.) I was able to have underwear on for about 4 hour, which beats not being able to have them on at all. But I am so upset thinking that this itching will never go away. PLEASE HELP!</p> <p>PS. I have also hired a pest control company to come and spray my house since I dont know why I am getting bit (if that's what it is) and why it is only in my genital area </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bite-healing#post-60258 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:03:24 +0000 sal930 60258@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I got a potential bite last night, but it seems to have healed almost same day! anyone else had official bed bugs and had bites heal this quickly? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-this-a-bed-bug-bite-2#post-60228 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:57:57 +0000 sal930 60228@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Background: had the bugs in my old apt, moved a few weeks ago and haven't really had any problems.</p> <p>I got this big in the center of my arm when I woke up this morning, seems like it could be, but when I got them in my old apt, it would never be just one bite like that. There are no other bites on my body!</p> <p><a href="http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/salcosta2007/" rel="nofollow">http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/salcosta2007/</a></p> <p>Thoughts? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-bedbugs-hang-out-on-your-skin#post-60149 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:07:41 +0000 soscared 60149@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>When they are not feeding, how likely are they to "hitchhike" on bare skin? Would one just be hanging out on my body (except my clothes) for longer than it takes to feed?<br /> Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/scars#post-57324 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:50:02 +0000 bbfiend 57324@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Question: How do I get rid of the bbbite scars?</p> <p>My reaction to the bites is at the extreme end, ie, some of the welts were a whole foot long (3 bites combined into 1 long big welt). I also have extreme muscle/joint ache a couple of times from the bites.</p> <p>After the itch and the welts die down, (a week or so), I am left with this dark discoloration, or coloration. I still have the these dark spots from 2 months ago, my first episodes.</p> <p>My daily dose of allegra for my allergies aren't doing much to tone down the welts. The only thing I noticed that worked for me, was this chinese menthol/eucalyptus type of oil, we call it White-Flower Oil (available in any chinese herbal stores). Cheap and useful! The oil seems to tone down the welts faster and take the itch away instantly, though you need to keep applying the next time the itch comes on. For me, I've applied the oil on the bites about 3 times a day, so my itch doesn't return that quickly. </p> <p>Strangely, the itch isn't as bad as the pain. Yup, the bites are painful, especially for the first 2 days.. My husband's bites are more itchy than painful though.. guess we all react differently.</p> <p>Anyhow, anyone has any suggestions on how to get rid of these dark spots/patches? I have some big ones, about 4 inches across and smaller ones too, so I'm sort of glad the cooler weather is coming and I can wear covering up clothings.</p> <p>Any suggestions? Thanks, this is a great site, my husband and I read it regularly, been a big source of useful info, levity (a big help!), and comfort. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/living-in-fear-in-nyc#post-59784 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:35:13 +0000 BiteTarget 59784@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have been reading this site like crazy since I started getting bit several times in my sleep over the last four weeks.</p> <p>At first I chalked the bites up to a stray mosquito, getting two small bites on my face, one on my leg, and one on my arm. I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, so not very alarmed. I'm also very allergic to bug bites in general, so anytime I do get bit, I always get a 1/4 sized red area for "normal" bites.</p> <p>Then about ten days later I got another set of bites, this time a few on my arms and two on my shoulder. Again, wearing a loose t-shirt, so could chalk it up to that darn mosquito.</p> <p>Then this Monday at 7am I woke up scratching. Huge inflammations -- three the size of a dime, one the size of two quarters next to one another. I showered, cold compressed and they went down a few hours later, almost invisible. The next day they just looked like regular bug bites. I was wearing a t-shirt, arms outside the comforter, so again, thought it was a mosquito -- I had seen a flying bug that weekend.</p> <p>All week I've been wearing long sleeves and pants to sleep as a precaution. I still thought it might be the mosquito, or a spider (I'd found some cobwebs below my bed and saw a small spider.) Then today (Friday) I woke up with eleven bites all over my face -- cheeks, chin area, and even one on my eyelid on both sides of my face. The bite on my eyelid was so puffy it looked like I got punched in the face.</p> <p>I'm absolutely terrified! I have no idea what is eating me alive every few nights. I can't help but worry it's bed bugs, but of course I can't be sure. My boyfriend sleeps next to me but does not seem to have the same problems with the bites. He hasn't reported being itchy or getting bit.</p> <p>I got a number of an exterminator from a friend and the soonest they can come is Wednesday. I'm scared to go to sleep -- I don't know whether I should continue sleeping in my bed or if I should take up residence on the couch.</p> <p>I'm also worried about the quality of PCO I called -- I want someone who can really diagnose the problem and tell me for sure if I have bed bugs, or if my problem is a spider or mosquito. I was so stressed out today dealing with my puffy face that I wasn't really thinking when I made the appointment for Wednesday with the random PCO. </p> <p>Ideally I would like someone to come sooner, but at the same time I want to make sure I get a through exam. I may be really paranoid, but what if it is bed bugs. Better safe than sorry, right? </p> <p>I've left a message for KillerQueen's company Boot-a-Pest, calling the number that was listed in the NY Magazine article. KillerQueen, if you're listening, I would be extremely grateful for a call back -- I'd love to hear your expert opinion whether or not it sounds like bed bugs, and would love to get an diagnostic exam of my apartment if necessary.</p> <p>Like so many here, I'm lost, confused, and scared. </p> <p>Thanks everyone for listening.</p> <p><em>BiteTarget in Lower Manhattan</em> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-bites-reappear#post-59491 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:58:12 +0000 brooklyn 59491@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I got a couple of bites on my stomach about five weeks ago. They had basically disappeared, except for the telltale red discoloration that seems to linger. Anyway, I just looked at my stomach and it looks like the bites have reappeared. It almost looks as if I've been bitten again in the same exact locations. Is that common? Do bites reappear after they have healed? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-bites-became-visible-in-a-non-reactor#post-59280 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:27:36 +0000 pleasebugsgoaway 59280@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm a scientist. I thought this was cool: my two sons have been getting bitten, and I have a few tiny bites which I barely notice, but my husband, presumably a non-reactor, had nothing. Then he developed an allergic response to something he ate. He does this a few times per year and it's always fairly stereotypical: his eyes swell, he has some stomach discomfort, and his nose becomes stuffy. He takes benadryl for this, and only rarely needs an epipen. This time, in addition to the typical symptoms, he developed itchy red bumps in a linear pattern on his torso and arms. I could see a tiny puncture wound in the middle of each bump. I'm absolutely convinced they were bed bug bites. They did not look like hives. They were gone within ten minutes. I didn't manage to take a picture (worrying about anaphylaxis and all). I think in the context of a major systemic immune/allergic response, my husband temporarily became a bedbug bite reactor. Not sure if this has any relevance, but I thought it was interesting. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bite#post-59285 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:37:04 +0000 soscared 59285@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My baby woke up from an hour long afternoon nap in my bed with me, with a small (3mm) raised pink round bite (?) on her temple. doesn't seem itchy. no other bites around. does it sound like bb?<br /> thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/urticating-hairs-and-scales-a-mystery-bite-cause#post-59297 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:53:22 +0000 spideyjg 59297@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>David Cain validated that the hairs of the carpet beetle larvae can cause reactions in some people. While it doesn't appear that beetle larvae are classified as having urticating hairs it is a known arthropod defense mechanism and well known to tarantula owners.</p> <p><a href="http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/uticating_hair_reactions.htm" rel="nofollow">http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/uticating_hair_reactions.htm</a></p> <p><blockquote>The urticating hairs on a tarantula aren't hollow and loaded with toxins, as they sometimes are with other creatures that use urticating hairs for defence. The tarantula urticating hairs appear to irritate due to the structure of the hair itself; so it's a mechanical irritation rather than chemical defense. </blockquote></p> <p>Near the end of the same authors page he refers to reactions he has gotten from the urticating hairs of various species.</p> <p><a href="http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/urticating.htm" rel="nofollow">http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/urticating.htm</a></p> <p>Caterpillars, of both moths and butterflies, are what we all are familiar with as possessing these "weapons" but some scales of moths as well. Carterpillar hairs lose their venom rapidly after the creatures death but the physical ability to cause reaction can remain due to the structure.</p> <p>So where the heck am I going with this right? Not really sure but just a potential cause of skin reactions that I haven't seen mentioned here other than the carpet beetle phenomena. </p> <p>Just a thought for those mystery bite victims to ponder. Do you have lots of moths in your area?</p> <p>Entomologist please correct me if this idea is full of holes.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-on-bb-bites#post-59221 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:18:36 +0000 timmyg 59221@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've read in several places that bed bugs commonly bite in a line, or a lot all over the place.</p> <p>But last night my girlfriend had just three bites, one on both hips and another on her lower back (she's allergic, I'm not).</p> <p>Some context: after learning of a rather bad BB infestation right after Labor Day, we've had the house treated (sprayed) twice for BB's (the most recent was last Tuesday) by a PCO, covered the mattress in BB&#38;B's AllergyLuxe Mattress protector and pillow cases that are a cotton and polyester mix, isolated the mattress, covered the frame's wheels in vaseline, and covered the plywood and slats that form our makeshift boxspring (can't really afford one) in plastic painter's tarp and taped off the ends. We also have DE all over the crevices of the room.</p> <p>So far there is no evidence of the bugs like there was before our first treatment or even after that. But does our first night back in our rowhouse after a weekend away result in more bed bugs, or could it be another pest? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mosquito-vs-bed-bug#post-59094 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:42:17 +0000 bleh bug 59094@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>After two weeks with no bites, my 6-year-old daughter woke up the other night with 11 scattered all over her body, not really in clusters. I immediately figured the bed bugs had struck again, but when I turned the light on to treat her bites, there was a big mosquito sitting right there on her bed. So my question is: Is it possible that a mosquito (or maybe two, if there was another that I didn't see) could inflict all those bites at once? Or is it more likely that it was bed bugs, or a combination? We've never actually seen a single sign of bed bugs other than bites, but a K9 inspection 2 weeks ago did have a few hits. I would write more but my arm is in a full cast, so it's difficult enough to type this out one-handed.<br /> Thanks very much... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-on-thighs-and-lower-back#post-58996 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:46:29 +0000 Rengland 58996@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi </p> <p>I've just watched a video on the internet where an expert describes bug bites.<br /> My bad ones are in groups of three and four. (I know that you cannot diagnose bed bugs just from bites) Although I have one or two seperate bites on my arms and legs, the clusters are on my thighs and back. The are localised bites and in a cluster seperated by about an inch.<br /> They are intentsely itchy and there is an achy painn, a kind of aching from them, however I have always had allergies to bites of all kinds and my doctor says that allergies to bites can cause intense itching and moderate pain. </p> <p>My question is on the video this expert says that the majority of bed bug bites occur on parts of the body not covered by sheets, for instance, the neck and arm and top of chest. Although I have had bites on my arms, the main clusters are on the thighs and lower back. Can you get bed bug cluster bites on the lower back thigh area? Or is it like the expert says on the video unlikely?<br /> I have seen my doctor and he believes they are bites and a reaction to being bitten by something. They don't match any other allergy or skin disorder to him. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-flea-and-bedbug#post-58874 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:47:34 +0000 TeresaAnn 58874@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know this has probably been posted numerous times...but I'm having a heart attack. I recently posted about my families unfortunate encounter with bedbugs. Now my daughter is still having bites show up...but my mother has a flea problem. I've searched the web high and low and to me, bed bug bites and flea bites look almost identical. I am praying these are flea bites, not bed bug (not that I want her bit by anything...but fleas, I can handle)...as we took every necessary precaution. I have searched high and low for any evidence of bed bugs and have found nothing. I am still at that paranoid state and this has all been very difficult. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/itch-relief-preparation-h#post-58625 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:55:34 +0000 nycbugz 58625@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have tried several different itch relievers and I have to say that Preparation H with Cooling Gel seems to be the best so far!</p> <p>It takes the swelling down a little bit and definitely takes the itch away better than cortisone cream - I see that it has witch hazel in it, which I've found to soothe the bites as well.</p> <p>If you're suffering from big, itchy welts I think it's worth a shot trying out Prep H! It's clear, which is a bonus for those of us with bites on our arms &#38; necks.</p> <p><a href="http://www.preparationh.com/products/gel.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.preparationh.com/products/gel.asp</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-and-crawling-sensation#post-58607 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:37:12 +0000 debbiew_74 58607@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, I am from Australia and just recently returned from Vietnam. Whilst in Vietnam I had bedbugs in one of the hotels and got a bad rash all up my back. After that I had a crawling sensation over my body and in my hair.</p> <p>Since returning home (one week) I have washed all my clothes but now I have white specs on my sheets and when I go to bed I feel like things are crawling on me. But the funny thing is, I feel like they are crawling on me at work but the clothes I am wearing are from my wardrobe and would have have been exposed to them as yet.</p> <p>Has anyone got any advice. Do the eggs crawl if that is what the white things are as if they were bedbugs already I would have had a reaction like last time.</p> <p>Thanks.</p> <p>Debbie. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-about-blood-marks-on-sheets#post-38994 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:35:48 +0000 bitten123 38994@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I would like to know if you squash a bug on your sheets, would their be remains of the bug on the sheets also, or just lots of blood? I went to change my sheets tonight and found a blood stain, fairly large near my feet area. This was not a small speck, about the size of 3/4 of a dime and then smear in a tail. I do have a spot on my foot, I have been unsure if it was a bite or a scrape, but it does have 3 dots, maybe they are bites, I have been unsure, but also I have a huge bruise near it too so I assumed I somehow scraped my foot.</p> <p>So to those of you who have rolled over or actually squished a bug on your sheets, is it just blood, or are there parts of the bug left? This is bright red blood stain so it is not bed bug feces. I can only assume I either was bit on my foot and I squished the bug in my sleep and the bug exploded and nothing is left but blood or I was bit and it bled a huge amount, or I scratched a bite or sore open and it bled. </p> <p>Any advice? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-addition#post-9711 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:12:15 +0000 lakelady 9711@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I forgot to mention that my husband (who sleeps in the same bed)does not seem to have a single bite or mark. Is it true that they may bite one person and not another? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/more-bites-depending-on-sleeping-under-sheets#post-57901 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:30:12 +0000 itchyonmyrtle 57901@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Because it’s been summer, I’ve been sleeping on top of my duvet most nights as it’s too warm to bother with sheets and will occasionally wake up with a bite. I’ve noticed that if I sleep under the covers I will wake up with more. Is this typical? </p> <p>It seems odd at least for bed bugs. I have mattress protectors on. And while I’m not certain about the box spring, the one of the mattress is still intact. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-long-does-it-take-to-go-from-reacting-to-not-reacting-to-bed-bug-bites#post-57464 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:54:23 +0000 itchyonmyrtle 57464@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>First, I've had a bed bug infestation before and all the bites itched like mad. </p> <p>A month ago I started getting bit, two or three nights a week. The bites would itch but within a half hour would stop and just be red. The last time I was bit was four days ago and didn't itch at all. I'm afraid that I'm going to stop reacting and will just think that I'm in the clear. I'm already checking my bed every morning for anything resembling cast skins, fecal matter. A new mattress encasement's on order. I know it's insane, but I would rather react and <em>know</em> I was being bit than not.</p> <p>Are 10 bites enough to build up a resistance? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/success-in-stopping-the-itch-not-the-bites-sorry#post-25478 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:41:02 +0000 chi-towncrisis 25478@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have been going crazy these past couple of days with itchy bites that are the worst thing ever. I suspect they are bedbug bites (everything's pointing in that direction, waiting for my doc to say for sure/ PCO)<br /> So I have tried many, many, many things to stop the painful itch.<br /> Here's what didn't work:<br /> Cortisone cream (OTC)<br /> Benadryl cream (OTC)<br /> Walgreens Calahist (calamine lotion and Pramoxine)</p> <p>And here's what did:<br /> Gold Bond medicated body lotion extra strength (in the green bottle with red top) I would link but I don't know how.<br /> It is amazing, I bought the Calahist and Gold Bond at the same time and did one leg with each as a test. The Gold Bond won. It has menthol in it which is the main reason I think it works. It's very cooling when you put it on, and lasts for at least 3 hours (it's been that long!) It is such a relief to find something that works, even if I did spend 30+ dollars testing things.<br /> Hope this helps some others being bitten! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/temp-help-til-pco-arrives-in-a-few-days#post-57534 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:36:00 +0000 ghostbitten 57534@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My reaction is severe enough to warrant me with quarter-sized welts that do not respond to rubbing alcohol, medicinal peroxide, polysporin, gold bond (well, it kinda makes the itch more easy to ignore), hemmoroid cream (dr's advice, haha, because it numbs) and cortisteroid cream... so I'm wondering, if I wash my desk and chair down with those lavender-scented Lysol disinfecting wipes and spray undiluted rubbing alcohol in my bed, will I be less likely ot be bitten so much in the nights before my first treatment?</p> <p>I'm tempted to go sleep in the freakin' bathtub at this rate! Since they're already in our living room (started there) and moved to my room, and the landlord won't bother inspecting adjacent units, I doubt I'd cause it to get any worse by moving for a few days 'til chems are laid down. Advice? Am I being desperate and stupid? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/delayed-bite-reactions#post-57315 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:42:06 +0000 nyc_jungle 57315@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I live in New York City but I am from a little European town and never heard about BB before December 2008, when my ordeal has begun.<br /> To make a long story short I will just give you a brief description of what I have already passed through.</p> <p>After I started seeing scary bites on my body I read an ad on the subway and realized I might be having this BB problem. After a first search I have found a cast skin on my mattress (never been able to catch or even see an alive animal yet) so I have alerted both 311 and my landlord.<br /> After 5 unsuccessful and painful treatments and about 60 nasty bites all over my body (including my face), I have decided to evacuate my apartment earlier than expected on May 2009.<br /> To avoid bringing the BB to this new apt I have adopted exceptional safety measures which included:<br /> - disposal of ALL my furniture (kitchen, living room and of course bedroom)<br /> - dry wash of EVERYTHING<br /> - freezing of all my non-disposable belongings in the fridge for 15 days</p> <p>I am now in this new apartment and until last month I was a free man again.<br /> Unfortunately last month (August 2009) I again started noticing very little bites on my body. I initially thought they had to be mosquito bites because they did not itch at all and they were very small. They looked nothing like BB bites which were huge and literally KILLED me (I had to take medications last time).<br /> But then I realized that some of them lasted longer than mosquito bites (like 3 weeks), and were located in areas unreachable for flying insects. The definitive confirmation that it could not be mosquitoes came when I spotted a CLUSTER made of three close bites perfectly aligned as only BB can do.</p> <p>After all the money and all the energy lost because of this problem I literally FREAKED OUT. </p> <p>Aftery being notified, my new landlord paid for a PCO inspection which found nothing.<br /> So, as the PCO recommended, I encased the spring-board and the mattres. On my own initiative I also digged the bed legs in vegetal oil and sprayed the bed frame with deltamethrin.<br /> I don't sit on the bed anymore and I don't put any sheets that are not straight from the laundry.<br /> My strategy is: if I can't take them away from the house I will at least keep them away from the bed!</p> <p>Unfortunately, even after all these measures, still some bites keep appearing in areas that can be hit only during bed time.<br /> I also realized that there was another kind of bite, never seen before. This new kind is white, it does not itch (you can feel it... but it does not itch) and IT DISAPPEARS IN JUST 3-4 HOURS. It also comes in clusters and believe me, its not mosquitos or anything. The dislocation on the body resembles exactly the BB bites I had in the past but the do not itch at all.</p> <p>Then I found this article on this blog: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/18/bitefest1/">Bitefest</a> and I got some hope.<br /> My biggest fear is that these small bites are from BB nymphs but on the article it seems that nymphs bites are as painful as adult bites so I got some hope.<br /> Between the comments I also eventually stumbled upon this <a href="http://thebedbugresource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=434">incredible story</a> of an entomologist that under controlled circumstances let the bugs bite his body for research purposes and was positive to claim the effects of DELAYED REACTIONS. Quoting his post:<br /> <blockquote>Roughly eight weeks after the initial biting I would still show signs from time to time (red dots, splotchiness, etc.).</p> <p>It seems that people can experience a delay in the time of the first bite to the time of the reaction from that bite. [...]</p> <p>Please keep in mind that my bites still show up in the morning and fade in the afternoon (to almost nothing). I can assure you that I am no longer being bitten.<br /> </blockquote></p> <p>Here or there I read about comment of people making the same claims so I got even more hope.<br /> But is there really room for hope? Do these delayed reactions really exist? Are those cases scientifically proven? Have you ever noticed something like this?</p> <p>I hope you have... cause If BB are also in this apt this will be the end of my American Dream... Given the economic situation I will flee the United States and go back to where I came from. If you are allergic the bites as I am you simply cannot live in this country...</p> <p>Thank you so much for you help</p> <p>A. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/losing-sleepneed-helpso-scared#post-57002 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:00:35 +0000 so_confused 57002@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This is the bump. It’s big<br /> <a href="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u260/rennarlee/P1030041.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u260/rennarlee/P1030041.jpg</a><br /> Any ideas?<br /> I also have smaller bumps in my private area and thighs, legs, arms. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-to-make-bites-lookfeel-less-severe#post-56935 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:21:56 +0000 brooklyn 56935@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, This is my first post. I just got back from vacation yesterday (a glorious week free from the bedbugs we've had at home for a couple months now). When we got home I took a nap on what I thought was an uninfected couch and woke up with about eight bites! Welcome back!</p> <p>Anyway, my question is, is there anything I can do to make my bites look and feel less severe? They are huge,swollen welts that turn blood red after two or three days. My doctor prescribed Fluocinonide which is supposedly very powerful, but it doesn't help at all. Aside from being in total agony, I am really embarrassed to leave the house without covering up my arms and legs (where most of the bites are). This is hard to do when its 90 degrees out. Is there a way to get rid of the swelling and intense redness? I would really appreciate any help or guidance you can provide. Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bbs-mosquitos-or-something-else#post-56752 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:49:12 +0000 natalie729 56752@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My apartment was treated a little over <strong>two weeks ago</strong> by a professional PCO with <strong>steam</strong>, as well as <strong>chemicals</strong> (pesticides with a 90-day residual effect). Two days ago, I was outside walking my dog and when I came in, I felt an itching sensation and immediately was showing what looked like<strong> three</strong> extremely typical mosquito bites. Two on one knee, one larger one on another. (I was wearing a dress, so these areas were exposed). They itched a bit at the time but NOTHING like my BB bites (which were welts and large red circles that oozed/itched so bad I wanted to rip my leg off). Two days later and they feel slightly itchy if the pants I'm wearing rub against them, but quickly calmed down to tiny, red pin-prick size dots that don't itch for the most part. As of now, I'm assuming their mosquito bites, but as BB victims know, it's easily to become paranoid. Thing is, I <strong>REALLY</strong> don't want to have to go through all the trouble of another treatment. It's extremely time consuming and costly (laundry's expensive per load here), not to mention I've already put <strong>encasements</strong> on and would rather not be stripping those off unless <strong>absolutely</strong> needed.</p> <p>How do I know for sure they're back or if this is simply nothing to worry about and probably, as I'm assuming, tis-the-season for mosquito bites? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/a-little-feedback-please#post-56653 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:24:51 +0000 hatessbugss 56653@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Quick question...do bed bug bites sometimes have pus? Kind of looking like a small white head pimple? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-bites#post-56587 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:40:17 +0000 nycbedbug 56587@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> I'm currently in the wait-and-see stage after the 3rd treatment. I have noticed that I'm definitely still itchy, and when I look at where I'm scratching, it is one of three scenarios:</p> <p>1) an old bite (up to a month old, when this first began, and a barely visible scar, but still capable of itching)<br /> 2) an area of skin with nothing there (except maybe some red streaks from scratching)<br /> 3) something that looks like a bite, but which goes away within hours, making me feel crazy</p> <p>Has anybody else experienced this? It has been 5 days since my 3rd treatment, so I don't think I'm experiencing delayed reactions to bites, although I was never really able to figure out whether I have delayed reactions or not. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-know-that-im-being-bitten-by-something-just-not-what#post-56474 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:19:24 +0000 ducky 56474@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>People react differently to bed bugs. And they're reactions will be different in different locations of their body. But would my reaction match the reaction I had from a previous infestation?</p> <p>That's my problem right now: every week or so I'm waking up and finding a new bite -- but it's not as bad as the bed bug bites I've had (itching for days, raised, itching, little red pin-pricks in a line, itching. did I mention the itching?) but these are raised and red when I first get them and itch but then they stop itching and mellow out. The red spot will be there for hours, but just becomes a red spot; it looks like I might have just been bruised. Once I realized that I had a bite on my leg only because I ran my hand over that spot otherwise I would have gone all day without being none the wiser. </p> <p>However, I've felt being bit once by whatever it is that is biting me. No, really, one moment I was lying in my bed and felt this tingling sensation (not the phantom oh-my-god-what's-that-crawling-on-me aftermath of a bed bug infestation but a weird something's brushing up against me feeling) and a few minutes later I get up and yeah, another bite. (I'm adding this only because it's funny, well, that can't be because of a bed bug, she says as she feels something, because you don't feel bed bugs!)</p> <p>There solitary bites. I might have more than one in a night (like last Saturday) but they are no where near each other (for instance on my leg and on my elbow, but similar reactions).</p> <p>I've checked my bed (nothing! no dirt, nothing that could be mistaken for dirt), checked my apartment and found a cast skin from "a bed bug" although I have realized that it's a wood beetle (I have seen bed bugs alive, and while the cast skin of a wood beetle looks similar there are differences. Also a second dead, wood beetle has been found.) </p> <p>I'm just wondering if anyone has a clue as to what's biting me? It's consistent but not itchy. And yes, I know, I know, find a good PCO and get them to check the apartment out for my own sanity. I just need to wait for my roommate to come back from Brazil because I want the PCO to explain to her why all the preparation is necessary because when I was getting eaten alive by bed bugs last year she refused to help and I can't go through that again, steps to take to avoid bed bugs, and if he finds evidence to point it out to her.</p> <p>Any recommendations for a great PCO in Brooklyn? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-about-bites-and-hives#post-56380 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:38:42 +0000 buggy2009 56380@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am very allergic to certain things but not sure if BB bites are one of them. I am also prone to get hives on occasion. Is there a way to discriminate between a BB bite and hives? If i take an antihistamine that usually calms my hives and makes them go away (swelling and itching) but would that have the same affect on my bites? I know that it should help the itching but would it help the redness? Only reason I am asking is because it is hard to tell which are which and I am trying to keep track to see if I am getting new bites or if I am just "hiving out" because of previous bites or any allergic reaction I may be having. Any help would be appreciated if anyone knows an answer. I also understand that BB bite reactions differ from person to person but I thought I would just ask. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/could-bed-bugs-leave-a-single-bite#post-56388 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:51:59 +0000 uesider 56388@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Two days ago, my new baby (who is sleeping in a crib in the same room as my husband and I) had a fresh bug bite on her forehead when she woke at 5 a.m. for me to feed her. The next day, I woke up in the morning with a very itchy bite near my knee. Is it possible that bed bugs could just bite once, do they always do so in a 2-3 linear pattern? I am wondering if we really have bed bugs or this is a mosquito. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nightmare-1#post-55970 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:13:24 +0000 ItchyNightmare 55970@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My husband and i moved into a shared house. After almost 2 weeks we noticed bites start to appear. I googled and immediately suspected bed bugs. I sent him to inspect and he found 3 on the matress and another 7 or 8 in the boxspring. We immediately let the lease holders know and were met with the blame game..ie it must have been us!! A**h*les! We had the same furniture for a year and no problems. </p> <p>We left that night with toothbrushes and pjs and our pet rabbit andwent to stay with family. We maybe shouldnt have left but I could not face going back there to sleep. Im now scared we brought them with us!! I cleaned the rabbit cage before we left, its plastic and metal. We laundered a couple of items of clothing at high heat and sent the rest to be taken care of professionally! We have been staying here for about 5 days and I am covered in bites. They appeared in tens over the first couple of days, all over my legs arms and eventually my torso, starting as small red lumps and turning into large hard lumps and some smaller blisters (especially on my hands). I seem to be worse off than my husband. His seem to have subsided alot. Are these old bites just reacting later or have we brought an infestation? I have so many bites its hard to tell if they are still appearing or just itching at different times. The worry and guilt is killing me. Can anyone offer advice, help, moral support?<br /> Thanks in advance </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/1-week-post-treatment-bites-or-zits#post-55962 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:48:36 +0000 natalie729 55962@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A PCO professionally treated my place exactly a week ago and I haven't gotten anything like the bites I was getting (which were actually few and far between). However, I have noticed two red bumps on my back in a line, but they don't itch at all. They're tiny and red at the head, almost sore to the touch a little, much like a zit hurts (body acne?). My previous bites itched like crazy and looked like mosquito bites and would even ooze clear liquid if I scratched them too much, so what are these? Am I just being paranoid and these really are just harmless blemishes? Sorry to be nit picky, but thought someone may be able to chime in! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/one-person-reacting-to-bites-in-different-ways#post-55727 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:39:52 +0000 BittenandStressed 55727@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm still not sure that I actually have bedbugs, it's been suggested that I may have carpet beetles instead (god willing). </p> <p>I've had three "sets" of bites, one set on each hip and one on my forearm, plus some other single bites on other parts of my body (legs &#38; hand.)</p> <p>The single bites and the ones on my hips have reacted the same - they swell up like mosquito bites, with a small dot in the centre of a large, round puffy raised area with a distinct edge, lots of itching, lots of redness. </p> <p>The ones on my arm <em>were </em>reacting the same way for a few days, but they seem to have changed. They're still red and itchy, but the redness is patchy around the area of the bites and instead of being round and puffy, they feel kind of rough and rashy, like there's lots of small raised bumps. </p> <p>I've been doing a bit of scratching (trying not to, but it's so hard to leave them alone) but no more on my arm than on my hips or the isolated bite on the back of my hand. </p> <p>Could these bites all be from the same type of bug, or does it sound like I'm being bitten by two different types of bugs (bedbugs <em>and </em>carpet beetles? Please no.) </p> <p>I know bites aren't diagnostic, but as I've not seen a single bug or evidence of bugs since I started looking (just a couple of days ago) and haven't been able to get a PCO in yet, bites are all I have to go on for the moment. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/itchy-all-over#post-55715 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:34:13 +0000 nervousaboutbedbugs 55715@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>We know, from K9 inspection, that we have BBs in an upstairs bedroom in our house. Question is - both my husband and I are being driven crazy from a feeling of being bitten on our feet, ankles, and legs when we sit on our living room couch. According to the K9, the couch was bug-free... and the bites we feel are more like flea bites than BB bites. Thing is, we don't see any fleas. I've shuffled around in white socks, nothing. I've watched my feet to see if anything is jumping to bite me, nothing. Our animals are with us and they aren't scratching.</p> <p>I've read before of developing a sensitivity to 'all things bug' once being bitten by bed bugs. But, this still seems bizarre to me. Any ideas?</p> <p>Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pic-of-bb-or-flea-bite-1#post-55623 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:59:19 +0000 Elahrairah 55623@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi folks, Thanks for your time...</p> <p>We picked up some BB's in Bishop, CA - and despite spending the day washing all of our things at a laundromat we took them home. We knew nothing of BB's when first exposed and just took what precautions we thought reasonable. Without web access we just did what we thought best.</p> <p>We bought a vapor cleaner, (TR5 Pro - which broke 2nd day of use) and vapor cleaned our tails off. Threw out all mattresses and bedframe and bagged *everything*. Then we moved.</p> <p>When we moved in we brought in nothing without painstakingly vapor cleaning it or washing it with scalding hot water. But with little kids, there was some monkey business in the sterile barrier. 1 week in to the new place the little baby started to get bit again.</p> <p>We took him to the pediatrician, who thought it was flea bites. We took him to another, who said the same. I and my wife also get bit some, but only around the ankles - the bites show up quickly.</p> <p>We had a BB K-9 come over. She ID'd 3 objects: 1) a mattress that came from a clean residence (our old home unoccupied 1 year and no pests whatsoever in it), which we brought in a week into the move in and was uncovered for 2 days before encasement - 2) a bag of laundry that had been hot-hot washed (water far too hot to touch) but was not sealed and in a pile with 15 other open bags of hot-hot wash laundry (nothing brought into house without being rewashed) - 3) an endtable that also came from the clean house and vapored well but due to the detail perhaps not well enough.</p> <p>The PCO and dog handler could find no evidence of BB's other than his dogs ID. He advised us not to treat, due to the presence of 2 children under 3, one of them crawling. We removed the offending objects and rewashed everything in the room. We have virtually no furniture in the house and sleep on a blanket on the carpet. Everything else is still in the garage. The dog ID'd none of our other possessions in the garage, but the handler said the dog can be off when in an area with breezes.</p> <p>We are still being bitten, the bites show up quickly and ITCH like mad IF you touch them. If you never touch them, they never itch. Do these bites look like fleas to you?</p> <p>It is possible the last tenant had fleas, and that is what we are experiencing.</p> <p>Thank you for your time!</p> <p><a href="http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/anklebborflea.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/anklebborflea.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/footbborflea.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/footbborflea.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/heelbborflea.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i160/Violeter/heelbborflea.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bbs-and-mosquitoes-and-anticoagulants-oh-my-ques-for-entomologists#post-54807 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:50:26 +0000 OutOutDarnBugs 54807@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My mosquito bites and my bed bug bites look very very similar. They're about the same size, the same amount of redness, and last for about the same amount of time. However, I get pretty bad itchiness when I get mosquito bites, and no itchiness for bed bug bites (this has been determined since when I first found my infestation, I had a fairly large mess of bites on the back of my arm which was red didn't itch at all, and 3 bite tests I did on different areas). I guess I'm the weirdo going against the curve of "my bed bug bites itched WAAY more than my mosquito bites."</p> <p>From what I understand (and, please please correct me if I'm wrong), bed bugs insert their two tubes, one for sucking blood and other containing a numbing/anticoagulant agent, yes? If people have an allergic response, is it to the agent, or to the bite, do you know? And, do mosquitoes have that same numbing/anticoagulant agent, a different one, or none at all? Perhaps I'm more allergic to the mosquitoes "saliva" than the bed bugs, but who knows...</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/does-anyone-know-if-its-possible-to-stop-reacting-to-bites#post-54703 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:07:44 +0000 buggedinthenight 54703@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We're about to enter our third month of treating with Drione. I haven't seen a BB in ages. But I still wake up in the middle of the night and think I feel them on me. I don't think I have been getting any bites during the night, but I think it's really odd that I wake up so often out of a deep sleep like that, thinking that they're biting me. Is it possible that they are still around and I'm just not reacting to the bites any more, or am I just bug shocked and have residual psychological effects?</p> <p>I've had a couple of bites in the day, but I'm thinking they are probably mosquito bites, since they don't seem the same as the BB bites I used to get. They're much milder, don't develop welts, and disappear much more quickly.</p> <p>Is it possible to build up a resistance? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/need-some-advice-3#post-51364 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:39:53 +0000 goawaybugs 51364@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>ok, I'm need of your collective wisdom and sage advice again. I posted here a few weeks ago because I was thinking of caulking preventatively. But before I could pursue it, I got delayed by a few weeks and then, just when I was about to get back to it and these forums, I started getting bitten! Everyone has been so helpful in the past. I need your calm and reasoned thoughts again!</p> <p>So, here's the deal: A week ago, I woke up frantically scratching to find a white welt on my left elbow that went away after two hours. I washed all bedding and vacuumed thoroughly around the bed. I inspected the night table and sheets and what I could see of the mattress (box spring was too heavy for me to lift). I didn't find anything. Everything is already encased. Six days later, I woke to find a very mild red welt on my chest. The next day, a non-itchy (even when scratched) flesh-colored welt on my right arm. Both also disappeared within two hours. </p> <p>I probably wouldn't even have noticed the last two welts if I hadn't been looking. Two years ago, I wouldn't have thought twice about them even if I had seen them. But it's not two years ago. </p> <p>On the other hand, there's this:</p> <p>1. For the past couple of months, I've been overrun by carpet beetles. I've only seen a larva once but, presumably, where there's a beetle there used to be a larva. Lately, the numbers seem to be decreasing but they're definitely still around. Could it take this long to develop a reaction to larvae? How do I know if it's carpet beetles versus bbs causing my reactions? </p> <p>2. Is a gap of six days, then one day consistent with bbs? I thought it took longer for eggs to hatch and things to escalate. </p> <p>3. I had a bunch of skin reactions six months ago. After an inspection confirmed it wasn't bbs, I was so relieved, I admit I got lazy and never tracked down the cause of the skin irritation. And then, after a while, all the skin reactions went away. However, those skin reactions were on my torso and appeared at night in the living room so they may be different.</p> <p>So, what now? Do I head straight for inspection? Do I wait and collect more data? I can't neurotically get an inspection every time I have an itch (KQ, if I can even get him, will think I'm crazy), but neither do I want to delay when I should be acting. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-continue-but-no-signs-of-infestation-anywhere#post-53630 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:27:38 +0000 gilbgans 53630@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>May 30th my daughter broke out with what looked like bites all down one arm, in her arm pit, and down the side of her torso and her hip (somewhat linear fashion but widely spread apart). She had started a sulfur antibiotic for a bladder infection so I called the triage nurse at 3AM to ask about a possible reaction. She did not think so from what I described. I took her in two days later to urgent care and they said it was bites. About 3 weeks ago (end of June) my daughter started getting bites at night again, but now almost nightly (we did go camping the weekend before this nightly biting started). The first night it was down the top of one arm (about 8 bites), the next night the underside of the same arm (again, about 8 bites). For those two nights we were sleeping at my mother's but had taken our air mattress (which we had taken camping) and used our own bedding which I took from our house. Another night in her bed at home it was down the arm, torso and hip again, but on the opposite side (maybe 12-15 bites). Some nights have been widely-spaced sporadic bites on any body part (back, upper arms, behind armpit, legs, ankles, wrist). She was getting bit in her bed so I moved her to the guest room next door (a mistake if this is BBs). She got no new bites for 2 nights, then got some the third night (sporadic again). I moved her to the upstairs couch (I was desparate to get her relief). She went 2 nights without new bites, then got bites again. After moving her out of her room the week before, I had set a trap for bugs (the heating pad with alka seltzer tablet surrounded by glue board) and got one bug. A PCO came to inspect, said it was not a BB (he has had recent experience with infestations in our town) and did not find any evidence of BB activity in her room or the guest room. He said it was still possible we had some, but could not confirm anything. I did the recommended actions - bagged up all the bedding and clothes in her room, washed in the sanitize cycle with borax added, dried on high heat, bagged the clean laundry - Bagged up unwashable items in black bags (double bagged) and put in sun for 3 days (air temps in the 70-80 range). Those things remained bagged in the garage. I took out the metal mattress frame and plywood being used under mattress (covered the plywood in sheets taped on before removing) - got a new metal frame, steam cleaned her floor, steam cleaned both mattresses, encased them, put containers coated with talc under frame legs (now using glue boards), isolated bed, bought new pillows and encased them, steamed the baseboards, furniture, drapes, and sprayed alcohol around baseboards, and completely cleared her bedroom of everything in it. I continue to clean the guest room (one desk yet to steam) and have been vacuuming the upstairs couch and recliner but have seen no tell tale signs of any BB activity. One evening while she sat on the couch in the late evening, she broke out in some new welts. She did the same one morning around 7AM on the recliner (this was before I vacuumed and inspected them). All other bites have been appearing at night. I am doing all I can and continue to do more, but she continues to get some new welts almost nightly (though fewer in the past couple days). I have read and read info on the internet about bites, symptoms, bug activity, signs of infestation, how to get rid of them, etc. She is now pretty well covered on mostly the arms and legs with bites in various stages of healing. Oh, and I did the red light inspection at night, check carefully under the covers when she is scratching at night, set up the heating pad trap on the upstairs sofa (two nights now). I don't know what else to do. I will be putting on better encasements tomorrow, rewashing bedding, steaming the new metal frame just to be safe, and will continue to vacuum, steam clean and wash whatever I can in all the rooms she seems to have had reactions in (though I know they can be delayed). Am I missing something? I see absolutely no signs of BB activity anywhere - fecal stains, blood spots on bedding, cast skins, but don't know what else it could be. One of the main reasons I am paranoid about this (my husband would confirm that, but he is not the one dealing with her night time wrestlessness and itching) is that he traveled to San Fransisco in late March. He brought back a small stuffed animal from China Town that she had in her room. It is bagged and I have not taken it out to inspect. I also ended up bagging his suitcase, though weeks later. I just don't know what else to do or what to think at this point. I continue to act as though we have them, but still don't see any evidence. With her bed isloated (I think I followed all the proper steps) I don't know why she is still getting welts. My next step is to sleep at the cousin's house for a few night (not taking any of our belongings, not even our pajamas to use) and see if she continues to get welts. She has not gone more than 2 nights without any bites at our house. Am I missing something???? Please help! And sorry for such a long post!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/possibly-not-bitten#post-53258 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:39:02 +0000 ukulelejack 53258@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I understand many people are non-reactive to bites, and I may be one of them. I did not know I had BBs until my girlfriend, who spends weekends at my place, woke up with terrible bites. Both Sat and Sun morning, she woke with bites AND found a BB fleeing the bed. We caught both of them and were able to identify the situation right away.</p> <p>But since she went home for the week, and I've slept alone, I've had no signs of BBs. No visible bugs and no bites on me. Is it possible they're not interested in me and are staying in hiding? Or are they feeding on me without my knowing it?</p> <p>I worry because the exterminator is coming soon and what if the BBs don't come out of hiding for me? Am I bad bait? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/diagnosing-bites-bedbugs#post-53187 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:06:04 +0000 nervesofsteel 53187@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>My bites seem a bit more unusual than those in photos and in other descriptions. My inability to determine whether or not I have bedbugs is compounded by the fact that I have not found any evidence of bedbugs yet. </p> <p>I have bites that emerge at various times during the day. Usually there are four to five single bites all over my body (no groups of three). I have received them on my neck, my feet, my armpits, my groin, my back, and my inner thighs. I also think there was something that was causing me to itch on my lower scalp. The bites for me seem to last about an hour or so, and then disappear. I believe I've found that some have flared up repeatedly hours or a day later.</p> <p>Sometimes instead of bites I have huge, raised welts (usually on my back). I was thinking that it might not be bedbugs because of these welts, which don't seem to have any originating bite. The welts spring up very quickly and fade quickly (usually an hour to two). The welts are long lines, about as thick as a pencil and 2-3 inches long. </p> <p>Has anyone had experience with these sorts of welts? I wonder if it could be an allergic reaction, maybe to the path the bug took on my back? </p> <p>Another question: About how long does it take a nymph to mature? I wonder if I have not seen any evidence because they are nymphs still and haven't grown up enough to leave noticeable traces.</p> <p>I think I might have picked up the bugs while traveling on Amtrak in late May. That means I haven't seen any trace for over one month, but it sounds like other people haven't seen anything either for long periods of time.</p> <p>About three weeks ago (late June, one month after the possible infestation) I had a local PCO come and investigate. He looked close at my bed, and found nothing. </p> <p>My main question is if anyone else has had bites similar to mine: one rather than three, and these long welts?</p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/will-bedbugs-bite-through-cloth#post-53049 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:35:23 +0000 Desparate 53049@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We have both been sleeping completely covered wearing sweat shirts and pants with socks pulled up over the leg ends and I also closed the sleeve openings on my sweat shirt with the elastic bands from a cut off pair of socks. </p> <p>I have assumed that if the skin is not bare you won't be bitten. But I really don't know. Is this method effective? We have to keep the AC on full all night so that we don't die from the heat of being all wrapped up in the summer. </p> <p>I am so paranoid to every mark and every itch right now I don't know what might have been a bite from before I did this or a bite through the thick cloth. Of course, this does nothing for my exposed face, fingers, and neck, but I don't think I have been bitten there. </p> <p>We are waiting for the PCO to come to talk to us about Thermal treatment. In the meantime we have got to do something. This is so devastating on me emotionally I am hanging on by a thin thread. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/two-weeks-after-the-move-yet-still#post-52602 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:09:38 +0000 Traumabugged 52602@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I moved into the new apartment on June 23rd, and today when I woke up I found this two small bite on my knees:</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NvzNVFLUoHAWvvurHoWZBQ?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NvzNVFLUoHAWvvurHoWZBQ?feat=directlink</a></p> <p>Two in a row...And yesterday I got one just under my navel...</p> <p>What makes me worried is the comparison between these pictures:</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DH5CQO2NsHKynkKV8Lk2lQ?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DH5CQO2NsHKynkKV8Lk2lQ?feat=directlink</a><br /> Taken on June 26th, 2009</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kAlx3slKaBvX99nVtgxhrg?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kAlx3slKaBvX99nVtgxhrg?feat=directlink</a><br /> Taken today.</p> <p>The red area actually expanded (and there are some more welts) and I felt itchy on this area like everyday. </p> <p>And then I saw this one...taken by another one and confirmed like bed bug bites:<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnbsmustgo/1418429573/sizes/l/in/pool-308028@N24/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnbsmustgo/1418429573/sizes/l/in/pool-308028@N24/</a></p> <p>which makes wonder if I'm dealing with not adult bugs but nymphs all over the place...</p> <p>I have put the passive monitor under my bed and chair, so far no sign. There are many blood spots on my blankets (while I do have some scratched wounds) but I am not able to find any cast skins, or even black spots like feces. </p> <p>My parents told me the bites might come from the gnats, which there are a lot of flying around me, but I've got Off all over me yet I'm still feeling like something crawling...Maybe I shall pour boiling water on the chair again.</p> <p>But one question still remains...Does gnat bite? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/any-of-you-gotten-bitten-on-the-eyelid#post-52657 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:30:59 +0000 Just itching to get rid of them 52657@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Well, that's my latest situation and question. If you had a eye bite, I hope it wasn't often, and that it resolved quickly. Did you do anything special to care for it? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/hotel-home-bed-bugs-or-something-else#post-52743 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:20:39 +0000 zenbasser 52743@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all, new poster here. I've read through the FAQ and several forum posts. I'm not sure what I have.</p> <p>I live in a cabin near two ponds and tall grass. I get many insect bites from time to time, usually one or two at a time. I've never had any reason to think about Bed Bugs. Tuesday Jun 30 I stayed in a hotel in Chicago. Sunday, after mowing in some tall grass, I felt some itchiness on my torso. Monday morning, I had 15 - 20 large visible welt bites and 20 -30 small pimple bites or a rash, all on my left torso.</p> <p>If it is bed bugs from my own bed, does it seem reasonable that with that many bites in one night, I would have lots of evidence and bugs of all maturities? I have striped the bed and found a few blood spots (pin size) and I can find black poppy seed like flecs, but they look more like dirt than the feces photos.</p> <p>Thoughts? Is it typical to have such a long delay from bites if it were from Chicago (5 days?) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/found-an-excellent-way-to-treat-beg-bug-bites#post-52555 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:38:29 +0000 hkgal 52555@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We had recently been victims of bed bug infestations and while my daughter's stay-in nanny didn't get any bites, me and my daughter suffered severely. For more than a month I would wake up with big swolen, angry welts all over the body. It looks horrible as they look like bruises on my arms and they leave ugly scars.<br /> I tried everything from over the counter balms to hydrocortisone cream (recommended by my doctor) but what worked for me is a homemade solution consisting of aloe vera gel and baking soda.<br /> It works best if you have just been bitten. Mix three parts of baking soda with one part Aloe vera gel and apply them directly like a paste on the bite. You will fell the bite sting a bit but that would instantly stop the itch. Allow the paste to dry on the bite and peel off on its own.<br /> If you have to go out and dont want to be seen with white patches of solution on your body, you can increase the amount of aloe vera in the mixtture so you have a clear, translucent salve. Since the ingredients are natural you can apply as often as you feel necessary. You will notice that your bites will not swell, itch and will barely leave a scar when they heal.<br /> I used a regular Arm and Hammer baking soda and 100% organic aloe vera gel you can find in health food store.<br /> Good luck and let me know how it goes. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thrid-night-in-a-bathtub-and-a-bonus#post-52105 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:09:21 +0000 Traumabugged 52105@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know it has been asked many times by many people but still...</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6bQQ83rej8oP_JmJaa1MNA?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6bQQ83rej8oP_JmJaa1MNA?feat=directlink</a></p> <p>Does this look like bb bite? I think so (especially the left three in a line...) but well, any yesor no from others would make me feel better. Thank you.</p> <p>The crawling feeling when I sit on my newly bought all steel chair might probably not psychological. Even though I tried hard and found nothing when I felt the pricking, I found some new bites last night on my back. And the time frame is almost the same like the last time I felt itchy in my former infested apartment --- around one week. So again I went back to the bathtub, only this time with the blanket (which I am washing and drying now) for the third time this week at 6:00 AM this morning. If only I need not sleep! </p> <p>And now I've got these bonus bites from out of no where. I know the bites could show up up to 9 days later but after I moved in I have a lot of small dots the size of a needle head all over me. I'm starting to speculate if these dots are failed penetrations because until yesterday I had moved a lot in this unit and I only spent like yesterday afternoon and night sitting in front of the laptop.</p> <p>What's more troubling is the pricking feeling goes to my hands, and now I'm not even sure if I have to packtite it again... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-vs-number-of-bugs#post-51753 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:02:32 +0000 Fearful_and_Buggy 51753@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The number of bites I've been getting has been reduced to about 1 a night while I sit at my desk. That can drop to 0 if I leave the lights on. (I hate being bait and I need a break sometimes). </p> <p>Does that actually mean I have a mild infestation or are they all hiding? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/face-bites-anyone-and-if-so-how-bad#post-52136 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:41:16 +0000 Just itching to get rid of them 52136@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I wrote on other posts about my sitiuation. My husband had his heart failure exacerbated by the building's exterminator who really didn't know what he was doing. This led to a month's long hospitalization, and then my husband died. I'm going through a very difficult time, but the whole building is infested, and the building's PCO keeps going back to other apartments but apparently is not getting rid of the bbs. Naturally, I won't let him back into mine. I can't afford anything else right now, but more to the point, I'm in mourning, and am waiting to get back to something of a normal life. So, I'm having a moritorium on PCOs until I can handle things better. My only consolation has been that the bbs have not bitten my face. Well, tonight I have two small bites on the right side of my forehead. This frightens me. I have a niece who is a model. A few years ago she had bbs, and didn't know what she had for quite a while. She got such bad bites on her face, she could't model! I find that the bbs have certain favorite places on me. The tend to bite the same exact places on various parts of my arms and legs. I have an old face, but people tell me it's a nice one. I am suddenly dreading what I will dub "bb acne." Am my in for something really bad now? Anybody with tales of bad face bites besides my niece? Any ideas how to protect the face? I haven't seen any bbs since they came back after the bad PCO, so I don't think it's a large infestation. But I get a few bites usually every day. But until today never on the face. </p>