Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
bedbug bites became visible in a non-reactor
(5 posts)-
pleasebugsgoaway
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 11
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Sep 30 2009 14:27:36
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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.
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Out of curiosity, was the thing he ate something containing chitin (like shellfish)???
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pleasebugsgoaway
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 11
Posted 1 month ago
Fri Oct 2 2009 7:33:19
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no, it's not shellfish. that would've made sense, though.
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Hi,
Interesting post and yes I think you can safely assume that they were bed bug bites and not hives. I have seen some similar issues myself with people who were not classic responders until another stimuli was added. In most of those cases it was environmental pollution that triggered a sudden reaction and antihistamines combined with removal from that environment resulted in a cessation of the response.
I wonder if it is a case of the more severe allergen setting off minor reactions and in effect amplifying them. with the risk of anaphylaxis I don't think it is a appropriate diagnostic tool though.
Would have been interesting to collect some data on how the appearance changed as they disappeared but I appreciate the over riding concern is for the health of the person having the reaction.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 1 month ago
Sat Oct 3 2009 14:26:14
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Very interesting report, pleasebugs.
Insect bite reactions can certainly be altered over longer periods by systemic changes in immune system function. Two well-established triggers that come to mind are HIV infection and certain leukemias & lymphomas in some individuals, who experience more pronounced ("exaggerated") bite reactions in association with these conditions.
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