Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
Becky
(24 posts)-
Hi Becky, I hope you find this.
The others are right that you probably have bed bugs. There are some people who have similar symptoms but not bed bugs. Read the "What are bed bugs? What else could be causing this?" FAQ (FAQS linked by button below this message and also from the blog on the top menu).
While you probably have bed bugs, even without seeing them, you also could have scabies or folliculitis or othr conditions (and possibly even spider bites). A doctor can do a skin scraping for scabies, but I'd agree with others that getting a PCO in to inspect ASAP (many will come within 24 hours) is the best idea (even while you're waiting for a doctor to do a skin scraping). Read our FAQ on choosing a PCO for advice on getting someone who knows bed bugs.
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Hi, yes, I found it easily. Sorry for clogging up the other area. I was in quite the fog today just researching my maladie.
I did read the FAQs and "What are bedbugs," etc. About the only thing I didn't read was the part about choosing a PCO.
I read and was overwhelmed, I'm afraid.
I have had folliculitis before, so I'm pretty sure that's not what it is. I'll have to look up scabies, but my guess it's either fleas or bedbugs. Fleas is a possibility I've realized because I'd not debugged the dogs and they may well have jumped off them when I did debug and into my bedclothes and mattress. I do have a mattress cover, but it's not one of the "barrier" kind.
Some of the people over yonder have advised me to tell my husband. It's not as if I've been hiding it from him so much as he's been out of town on biz and calling him to tell him we might have bedbugs would have just increased his anxiety about traveling for now.
We have very opposite schedules, so I'll be contacting him tomorrow now that he's in town (I've just returned from work and he's sound asleep after coming home from half a continent away) and letting him know what's going on.
Please feel free to remove the posts from the blog area and repost them here if they're in the wrong spot. I don't mind, and I'm guessing the other members won't either.
Like I said, I'm pretty overwhelmed by all of this right now, and I'm not in the least bit interested in denial, but I also don't want to overreact - rather, I don't want to panic. I don't suppose overreacting is a bad thing right now. I'm just trying not to freak out.
Thanks again for this site. If it turns out NOT to be bedbugs, I'll still be grateful for all the counsel.
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i think bed bugs and spiders are more likely than fleas because fleas don't usually bite all over. i think they tend to bite on ankles and such, because they can jump up from the floor. they wouldn't be able to live in the bed, and would probably have trouble making bites in a line (i am guessing) since they jump. bed bugs and spiders can more easily crawl in a line.
the only reason i still think scabies is possible is that many of us are misdiagnosed with scabies, and so it must often look similar--at least to how bed bug bites look on some of us.
also, scabies would move around your body.
it's likely to be bed bugs, though, good to rule things out.
you're right not to panic. that's a good instinct-- people who do often do the wrong things entirely! try not to be overwhelmed--the information will be there if you need to go back and use it later.
remember to look in bed and around for little black fecal specks like small poppy seeds (which in my experience come long before the black stains you see in photos--which i never saw).
oh, and no worries about the blog comments--the layout of the site is confusing, especially to people who are a bit stressed out (as is almost everyone who finds us). i don't usually move them since it's a lot of hassle and they aren't a big deal.
good luck in your searching! if it is bed bugs, don't panic, as long as you don't sleep elsewhere, it's contained and not the end of the world.
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Thanks again, Nobugs. You have a calming and reassuring style of posting, and I appreciate that.
I am on day 2 of being bite-free, although I am not sleeping well, as would be expected. I still itch all over (not from bites - just anxiety). And I know I cannot become complacent; I assume bedbugs until I can prove otherwise.
I do have a question though, that in my perusals of the FAQs hasn't revealed an answer to. I have two small dogs. One sleeps in my bed with me, the other in his own bed. They are treated regularly with Revolution to prevent fleas, mosquitoes, heartworms, ear mites, sarcoptic mange and ticks. Does anyone know if they're protected by this product from bedbugs? I assume they aren't and because they are mammals they are also subject to attack from the little monsters.
I have found no evidence of feces, no blood on the white shirt in which I sleep, and none on my pale yellow sheets, so I am optimistic.
I'm starting to feel this is a situation that should be shouted from the rooftops. Ignoring it or allowing oneself to be in denial, as with any other scourge, allows it to thrive.
I'll keep everyone posted.
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Okay, I've done a little research on scabies and I'm pretty sure that's not what it is. I did, however, come across a picture very similar to the bites on my own torso on Wikipedia caused by fleas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fleabite.JPG
Fleas actually are able to live in bedding, according to the article there. I know when I had cats and one had fleas, they lived in the sofa the cats loved to sleep on. THAT was a fun time in this house. But I was successful in irradicating them. I do live in a part of the country where we've been having a phenomenally warm winter (although we're in a cold spring right now), and I know I've brought fleas in from the yard on my clothes and ankles before.
Again, I'm not becoming complacent, but I'll actually be thankful if it turns out to have been fleas and not bedbugs.
Again, I'll keep you posted.
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Hi again, all. Day three with no bites. Tomorrow will be the day I go through the bedroom from top to bottom. I've now started warning my friends who travel (including my husband) for business about visiting this site and searching on hotels that have been tagged as being buggy. I don't know if they're just humoring me, but most of them seem to be taking it very seriously, especially when I tell them that once they have an infestation, which takes very little time, it will take excruciating effort and money and time and much of their stomach lining to deal with.
I've found this site so informative and so much an oasis in a desert of panic. Thank you.
Again, I'll keep you all posted.
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Thanks Becky--glad we could help.
Fleas could live in bedding, I guess. But they usually don't, form what I understand. Your pets, on Revolution, are unlikely to be affected by fleas. Plus, I don't think fleas would HIDE in the bed, as BBs would. So a thorough hot wash and hot dry of the bedding should do the trick. Fleas aren't invisible or stealthy. My dog had one flea once and I saw it! Bed bugs, on the other hand, can be very stealthy.
However, they don't want to bite pets. They will if you go out of town and leave them alone (which most dog people don't do, but cat people might!) so that's a bad idea. But just going to work should not expose them. You are the preferred target by far--humans, not mammals. Of course, in the absence of humans, pets are fair game.
It is possible for pets to pick up bed bugs in their fur, and carry them into bed, or onto other furniture, so you might be cautious about that. But this should not be a constant occurrence, esp. if you have a small infestation. (That's if you do have them, which of course we hope not.)
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Thanks for the response, Nobugs. Revolution totally keeps fleas off the dogs. I'd find them too if they had any because they're only chihuahuas. Not too many places a flea can hide on them! I'm becoming more optimistic about my bb situation. We found nothing in the bedroom and turned it upside down, and today is day four of no bites.
I know that heat kills them. Does cold? It is going down to around 18 again tonight here and I was thinking of putting my suitcase outside since I can't put it in the dryer.
Oh, and Bugalina, my room smells citronella fresh per your advice about using Murphy's! Thank you.
Until I'm quite positive I don't have bbs, I will keep on it. You have all been so supportive and helpful.
I have a feeling this whole site is going to get very busy this vacation season.
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wantmyskinback
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Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 344
Posted 2 years ago
Sun Apr 8 2007 13:25:21
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BECKY ! I have a Chihuahua too.... one of my dogs. It's kind of interesting, that we both are having these "bites" and we both have Chihuahuas.... I got her a little over a year ago, and have seen bites ever since... is there a connection? Probably not, but what an odd coincidence.
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Becky--some say cold kills them, but it has to be really freezing (subzero is best) and for a long time (I think someone tested recently 29 below F for 5 days). A night won't do. (I could have the exact temp wrong.)
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Hi all - WMSB, that is so cool you have a wawa too! I had one for four years and then my second cat died and I wanted a playmate for her, so I got Boris. If you're at all familiar with Garfield cartoons, Boris is totally Odie. Zelda, who is now 7, is the queen bee. What color is yours? Zelda is brown and black brindle and very cobbie - short bowed legs and an apple dome head. Boris is more a deer with longer legs and a longish snout. He's buff and black brindle - almost a murl (sp?). They're my little demons!
Like I said, I highly recommend Revolution for keeping the fleas and other parasites away from them. The only thing is I can't use it on myself. Ha!
Nobugs, thanks again for even more info. You are a font, woman.
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Fontwoman, now that's an even better pseudonym. I really picked this one in a hurry, darnit!
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wantmyskinback
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Apr 9 2007 8:40:47
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Becky: My little girl is 3.5 lbs, 1.5 years old. She has long legs, a long snout, apple head, and is black with beige/brown head/feet and white chest ! She is so dainty and feminine. I got her to keep her older brother company (the curly black poodle!) It's great having them. I just love them to peices.
Yours sound ADORABLE. Funny thing, I never liked Chih's before I had one. Now I am ALL OVER THEM like a bad suit. :) -
Wantmy, Oh, she sounds so pretty!
I was just like you. I didn't want one of those nasty little yappy dogs and now I have two. Zelda is my darling and Boris, well, he's sweet if stupid. My mother was disgusted that I would consider a wawa. Now she has one. She wouldn't give up Daisy for the world. We have a chihuahua rescue here and they wish we would take more dogs. If I do, my husband will move out. :)
Your little girl is still a puppy. She's so tiny! Funny how we chihuahua lovers find each other everywhere and anywhere!
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Apr 11 2007 0:36:34
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are we talkin kids or dogs ... I finally got to visit a friend whose cat is a joy to be around. I brush her and she loves me. Today was the first day I felt bb free for a while .. It cost me like 10 bucks just to make sure I was s bb sterile as possible before I chanced a visit. She ran over tome .. and I was hugging her and kissing her--she's just under 8 lbs she;s black and white spotted with eyes like liz talyor's only green.
Her name is "Annie"
WOW! this is such a nice, homespun thread!
WILLOW
looks like things are looking up for yu Becky: hang in there and I hope it's just a few fleas. -
willow, if WMSB has a daughter who is 3.5 lbs at 18 months and has a snout, we're in big trouble! but as an ex-nurse, you know that. ;-)
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Willow, what a great thing to feel bug-free and kissed by a kitty!
And thanks for the well-wishes. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed and an eye open. I will worry about it for the rest of my life no matter what, though. EVERY time I stay in a hotel anywhere.
If I don't have bedbugs, it is purely by some grace. It's certainly not because I was careful.
I do thank Nobugs for this site. It gave me so much info, and if it turns out I'm bb-free, it gave me info I will still be able to use for the rest of my life.
Nobugs, LOL on the 3.5 child!
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Glad we could help, Becky, and we hope you don't need us again, but tell others we're here.
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becky
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 18
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Apr 11 2007 23:37:51
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I am doing that at this very minute. I've already passed on info and links to about 8 people - people who I know travel a lot and stay in hotels.
This site is a wonderful resource and I hope I never get the opportunity to tell you that I have found bedbugs.
I did dream last night that I awoke covered with bites. When I got up this morning I ran to the mirror. My husband thought I was nuts, but liked that I was ripping off my nightshirt so quickly. :)
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Apr 12 2007 4:52:29
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Like I said ... such a nice, homespun feel in this room all the time. I know what you mean becky, about the site and knowing we'll have to worry maybe not for the rest of our lives but for a while yet to come. Goverments will eventually get it together and figure this out: ref thread/topic like 10-12 days ago,
"Time to have your local politition over for a few bites" -
wantmyskinback
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Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 344
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Apr 12 2007 7:12:10
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what a joy to be laughing at 8 am on a rainy cold Thursday morning from my upper east side bedroom !!! thank you ..... :)
p.s the chihuhau is a 3.5 lb. dog..... my daughter is a 120 lb. bitch. only kidding. ONLY KIDDING !!!!!! made you laugh though. -
in case you look for it, becky, the "local politician" post is over on the blog...
http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/02/nyc-bedbuggers-time-to-have-some-local-politicians-over-for-a-bite-or-two/ -
willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Apr 12 2007 10:53:40
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yes, I laughed too! prior to that all I could think of was bb pooh.
Last night I didn't get to sleep at all, whoa whoa--whoa!
It was all about the lingering itchy and scratcy show:hey WMSB-- eye 2 now WMSB!
Just tossed and turned and itched for 5 hours ... -
LOL, WMSB, on the 120 lb bitch thing!
I'm glad this thread has injected some giggles into your lives.
We finally got a reprieve in the weather here - it was more springlike than it has been. Unfortunately I've been cramming on taxes. That's what I get for procrastinating. God bless Turbotax.
I always itch when I read this site, but now it's because of the hives. It's driving me nuts. My husband says I should take some Benedryl, but then I won't be coherent enough to maximize our deductions. Medications always affect me pretty strongly.
Hey, how come people in Iowa don't have to pay their taxes till April 30? What gives?
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