Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
Had our first sighting in NJ after some bad allergic reactions - time for a PCO!
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Swollen
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 12
Posted 8 months ago
Wed Mar 25 2009 20:48:10
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I first noticed welts in November, or, should I say, a pattern of them. They would show up at the beginning of every week (although I wouldn't notice them at the same time of day) and get somewhat swollen and quite itchy. However, come February, I started getting more welts at a time and more often. Then, they started swelling up very badly. Thinking it could have been bed bugs, I checked my mattress for telltale signs and never found a thing. At the end of February, when my cheek was so swollen my eye started swelling shut, I went to the doctor. I was then sent to an allergist the next day, but was told that he didn't know who it was. Two weeks later, my jawline swells and I get in to see my personal doctor who sends me to another allergist. I found out I'm not allergic to dust, pollen, mold, animals, etc. (Which is great if you ask me!) However, my Rx antihistamines weren't quite doing the trick. Paddy's Day saw my forearm twice it's size. Neato. I've been bitten on the face 3 times this week already. On the other hand, my boyfriend has gotten a handful of very small spots.
Then yesterday, I get a call from my boyfriend at work who had just seen a bed bug, or what he felt is one. We cover the box spring and mattress with vinyl covers as a quick fix as soon as I get home. Upending the boxspring definitely showed major areas of fecal matter near the head of the bed - gross! This morning, the bf kills something very small (and blood comes out.) Later in the morning, I finally see a bigger one - a look-a-like from all those photos I had seen! I should have been smarter and bagged it, but I flushed it out of anger (can you blame me?) I have a bag on the ready to keep one as a specimen once I have another sighting. I'm guessing the reason we saw more today was because they couldn't return to the bed, but still, eww.
Anyway, long story longer, we tried contacting one PCO today that said they'd call back in 24-hours. Later in the day we got a recommendation for another PCO and will be following up on that tomorrow as the offices were closed when they called.
Any PCO recommendations (we're in Hudson County, NJ) would be greatly appreciated! I can already say I am NOT looking forward to going to bed tonight. :(
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BugBoy911
member
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 185
Posted 8 months ago
Wed Mar 25 2009 22:01:25
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Every post is getting cut off....
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 8 months ago
Wed Mar 25 2009 22:39:22
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Bugboy911,
What do you mean? Do you know that Swollen left more in his/her message than this?
Please explain what you mean so I can help.
Thanks!
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BugBoy911
member
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 185
Posted 8 months ago
Thu Mar 26 2009 17:46:57
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For some reason the sentance when he's talking about his cheek getting swollen at the "I" the rest of the post of cut off for some reason.
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cantstandbedbugs
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 80
Posted 6 months ago
Wed May 20 2009 21:42:58
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Hi Swollen,
About the swelling on your face. It might not be bedbug bites (or maybe they are I'm no expertJ). I was experiencing swelling on my face a few years ago (just out of the blue). They were allegic reactions no bedbugs. First my tounge swelled on one side then the next size then the whole thing for about 5 days. Like the swelling moved to other areas of my tounge. It was wierd. Then my lower lip would get a big swollen and ichy bump (and no it wasn't herpes). The next night it was the other side and no sign of swelling or ichyness on the side I had the bump the day before. Then my whole upper lip swelled like a sausage. Then my jaw would swell and lower face near my lip not the lips that time. I would also get the swelling / hives on the bottom of my feet too. I was in the er 3 times week. They asked me what I ate, referred me to an allergist I got tested and they found that I wasn't allergic to anything. I was prescribed an epi-pen which contains an ingredient that reduces swelling because the swellen can happen in the airways and prevent breathing and I could've died if this happen so they gave me the epi-pen to inject myself if case that ever happen. Good thing it never did. I was diagnosed with idiopathic angioedema.
Here's a link I found that describes the condition.http://www.allergyclinic.co.uk/angioedema.htm
Anyway it was definately not bedbugs because the swelling reduced in occurance and I don't have this problem now. We never had bedbugs then and we never treated for them so it was and allergic reaction to God knows what. I have bedbugs now and these bites / swelling is not the same as when I was getting those reactions. I'm just throwing this out there because it might be a possibility that your facial swelling is not bedbugs bites. Even though in your post you mentioned you saw some bedbugs and probably do have them so the facial swelling could be do to that. Hope you resolve your bedbug issue soon.
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lieutenantdan
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,146
Posted 6 months ago
Thu May 21 2009 9:21:48
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Swelling can be caused by bed bug bites with some people the swelling will not last too long but with others swelling can last a couple of days. Since you have discovered that you do have an infestation than I would say that your swelling is caused by bites. Sorry but you are now involved in the bed bug war, try to keep calm and start to battle. You can win!
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