Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
Do they eat your scalp?
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 2:01:01
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do they eat your scalp? My 20 month old has a skin disease called keratosis Palaris(something like that) I found 2 bugs over the weekend. My boyfriend was bit and killed it which sent me on a bedbug HUNT!! My question is over the last couple of months my baby has had sores in his head (ALOT OF THEM) I thought it was from his dry skin condition or is it bugs biting him and he scratches the heck out of it? He had a bite yesterday bad welt looking thing on his back. Do they eat your scalp? or am I just getting crazier each day?
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Wanda, They don't eat your scalp or any tissue.They drink your blood,like any parasite.If they remain untreated and multiply to great numbers,they can cause nasty wounds I've heard,from biting over and over, as well as secondary infections/anemia ,from the repeated biting. Are you getting treatment at all? Have you told your LL?Hunting them down and killing what you find with alcohol is fine,but you will need more than that.Please inform the LL,it's your best shot at getting rid of them for good.
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lieutenantdan
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 10:09:17
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wanda89,
I think you meant bite your scalp. I had the top of my head bitten so in my opinion yes they do.
Caution on pesticides and children especially infants. Talk to an entomologist on that. -
scaredandstressed
junior member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 83
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 11:02:23
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I think they do bite you in the head. I have been washing my hair every other day (not good for a black woman..lol)It feels like they are crawling in my hair and I have quite a bit of hair so it's not easy to see them but I feel them.My husband also said he feels them crawling in his hair..eeewww!!
Someone on this site (not sure who) said they don't like hair and tend to avoid it...I beg to differ!
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 12:30:37
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If they are bite marks in his head wouldn't I be totally infested? I have only seen 2 bugs. Checked out couch tore bed apart and nothing. I have contacted my landlord and the exterminator will be here next week she is going to have him inspect and we will go from there.
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scaredandstressed
junior member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 83
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 12:33:43
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You can be infested and NEVER see a bug.
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 13:12:50
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I guess the reason I think I don't have them that bad is because when my boyfriend was bit it was bad so apparently he has a bad reaction to the bites. He has only been bit once that was a day after spending the day in the ER where something was eating his leg up. I am thinking he brought a couple home from the hospital. I could be wrong but I am praying NOT!!! Just weird!!!
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senior member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 544
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 20:05:49
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Wanda, Did you save either of the 2 bugs you killed? If you see any more, catch them with scotch tape to show pco.Make sure you cover them front and back with the tape,but don't crush them. The best time to find them is the wee houra of the night,between 3-5 am.If you're not working the next day,you may try settig alarm,jump out of bed with a flashlight and you will probably get some.Good luck
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 2:10:54
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Bugbasher, No i did not save them. My landlord said she had seen them and didn't need the one I had in a baggy. I haven't seen anything since Sunday I have searched under and in all cracks and nothing. I put out the glue traps hoping to catch some but again nothing. How long does it take for them to get into my traps? I get up with the Roosters and always check for them? I have been scared to death of getting them ever since hearing about how bad they are in Cincinnati but I know I was not imagining them!!
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 2:12:05
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Oh I also checked my lint from all the laundry I have done and no casings in there either. Im dumbfounded by all of this just wanna rip my hair out one by one!!!
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 16:58:57
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just bumping it up. sorry
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Wanda, I suggest you try to take a deep breath.
You found two bedbugs which you no longer have but you think they were bedbugs, is that right? Have you seen the photographs on this site (click below to go to the blog and the FAQs)?
It's not unusual to not see bedbugs out and about. They hide in their hiding spots and only come out to feed and that is usually (but not always) when you are in bed sleeping at night.
You should take your baby to the doctor to examine the bruises or bite marks on the scalp. They can tell you if it's abnormal or something related to the condition you describe.
It's important to keep a level head. You will get rid of your bedbugs, but you need professional help.
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And glue traps are sadly not that effective.
You can go to the blog and search for NotSoSnug -- you will see a post describing what NotSoSnug did to catch several bedbugs. It involves staying up all night and using a red LED light.
If you have few bedbugs, however, you can stay up all night and not see any. Their feeding schedules and the number of the population may not yet be such that you can hope to catch a bug every night.
They can also be in other places, not just your bedroom. Sofas or places where you sit still or rest for any period of time are also likely candidates if you want to search.
So, the bugs you found were like the photographs you see?
Finally, some people are not allergic to the bites and can be bitten and show no sign. It's lucky that your husband is allergic if it is indeed bedbugs. Because you may not be.
Things get better with treatment. Read the FAQs, lots of topics that will help.
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 17:26:17
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Yes I seen 2 last weekend. My boyfriend was bitten on Saturday and I went crazy on Sunday looking for them. I only set the glue reaps out in hopes one would get stuck. My matress is white and no blood stains. Looked in all the nooks and crannies. I have compared the bugs I found to the pics on here and other web sites and I am convinced that is what I saw.
I am currently going through everyroom in my small apartment doing laundry and bagging everything up. (my man thinks I am nuts and over reacting) I would rather be safe than sorry.
I have covers to put over all the mattresses in the house even the babies bed. I plan on throwing out my couch even though there were no signs of bugs in or around it. Its just old and planned on buying another one. Which I will hold off on until I know for sure if I have them or not.
Thanks to all of you for helping me it is so appreciated!!!!
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bedbugsenigma
junior member
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 99
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 21:08:19
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Wanda, just don't buy a new couch until you know for sure you're bb-free and make sure your mattress encasements are bb-proof. You can use the link below, "shop for useful stuff" to find them. Good luck with your PCO inspection! keep us posted.
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wanda89
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Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 23:01:18
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bedbugsenigma, Thank you.
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