Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
how to deal with mite bites? (Or post-BB mystery bites?)
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sickandtired
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 1 2009 17:37:18
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Ok, I know most people on here are stressing and freaking about BBs, which I understand.
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 & 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.
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.
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?
Any suggestions and helpful ideas are most appreciated!! Thanks.
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sickandtired
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Posted 7 months ago
Sat Apr 4 2009 12:53:48
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just bumping my post from a few days ago because i'm still looking for some replies. thanks.
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wiggywild
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Posted 7 months ago
Sat Apr 4 2009 14:40:50
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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/birdmitesorg/
There is a ton of useful information there.
Sign up for the forum.I too am struggling with bird mites but I do not want to treat without proper ID. They go through phases and I feel relatively fine today.
Youll see some people who believe they have morgellan's disease but be very skeptical in applying this information. There is no research being conducted and no one really knows what is going on with it. Plus you can think yourself into this affliction.
I believe it could be possible for mites to burrow on the very outside portion of your skin, or other areas, so internal treatment may be helpful but I am not convinced.
Basically these things are harder to rid than bed bugs, as they can burrow in to walls and places that just cant be effectively reached. There is hope though, but I would recommend PCO intervention and same steps as BB. Although next to impossible without finding a bird or rat nest, do try to ID them before treatment as you could possibly have collembera.
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sickandtired
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Posted 7 months ago
Sat Apr 4 2009 15:32:28
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thanks for the link, but i didn't say i have bird mites, and i'm pretty that's not my problem.
although i do think it could be some kind of mite, and perhaps some of the strategies people use for dealing with them might be the same.i'm looking for feedback on other possibilities for the post-BB mystery bite ... but i'm not about to start going down the road of morgellons and bird mite infestations because that to me seems kind of alarmist. what is the likelihood after having bed bugs that you suddenly have some other awful bug infestation too? i'm thinking not likely.
**touch wood** Or i would touch wood if i had any wood items left, but i threw them all out.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 23:33:34
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I am having similar problem. There are a number of people on this board having the same problem, you may want to look if you have not already.
I still have bb but rarely have a normal ( red open pierce circle swollen around it hurts or itches ) bite since using the alcohol//dish soap/DE/h20 mix. I know I still have them because I took the mineral oil cups off the bed legs and used just vaseline ( works on the ceiling ). After a few days a red comet mark on my sheets under the pillow.
Back to the mystery bites/mites... I have tiny bites or bumps, red, on my face, neck chest, near seams of clothing. It started with a roar, I had maybe 20 a day, along the seams of my clothing mostly, but neck and face also. I felt pinpricks ( never happened with bb). They happen during the day. I would look no bug but a little red bump. Sometimes with a long scratch like or streak mark. Laundry mat hot dryer did not work, boiling only worked after I boiled for a length of time say 15 minutes, not 5. It is getting worse again after I went back to regular washing ( and my washing machine has a sanitize cycle of 3 minutes at 180 but it is a low water front load). Bed bug bites were usually outside my clothes. I sprayed A LOT of alcohol around everywhere for a while. I completely toxed myself with this and DO NOT recommend. It helped cut down the bites. What does work well is Kleen free and it is nontoxic. I have switched to this with the same results. The problem started suddenly in October. I thought it was body lice ( possibly from clothes at a retail store ) but Lou Sorkin identified the bug I found on my pillow that looked similar as a plaster beetle. You see lice anyway so that was ruled out.
I am wondering if it is possible that there is a mite on the bed bug? Kill the bb and you are left with this? It would be small that is why you do not see it? Someone I think has suggested this in a different context. There are mites that live on insects. Clearly something is going on. Bird mites you see. There is a mite dogs get that is so small you may not see it. I do not have a dog.
Sorry no solid help but you are not alone.
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losingit
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Posted 7 months ago
Tue Apr 7 2009 15:34:51
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I don't know if treating for mites will help if that's not whats causing your 'bites'. I have the exact same problem, been told several times by K9 that my place is all clear. Still get 'bites' though. My derm said I have Folliculitis. I really doubted it until I started looking at my bites and now I can (almost always) see a hair growing out of the centre. That's Folliculitis.
Did you see a Derm? What did they say?
Is is possible you're getting bitten at your workplace?
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Hi,
The best advice I can give you is don't start any form of treatment until you know what is causing it in the first place. This may require someone doing a microscopic analysis of tape lifts from the property or an inspection under UV light.
It is more the work of an entomologist than a pest controller and you may be best off seeking that level of professional assistance.
In cases of unknown bites or bite like reactions the scientist in me always comes back to the fact that until you have identified what is causing the problem you cant realistically attempt to find a solution.
You may also want to consider physical possibilities such a high static fields which I have seen affect some people post BB encounter. The problem with these is the dampening effect of spraying liquids often makes insecticidal treatments appear to work for a few days and then things steadily return to the same levels of activity.
Hope this helps.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
sereneseek
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Posted 7 months ago
Tue Apr 7 2009 22:36:42
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I've had the same problem since December, but I can actually feel something (not sure what) crawling on me. I can feel it in my ears and my nose and sometimes my eyelashes and eyes. I can't see any insects though. I get strange marks on me too. Some of them fade right away; others are red bumps. I do not have Morgellons nor delusional parasitosis.
When I initially posted about this it was suggested I had mites. I agree that it seems coincidental that I would have a bedbug infestation of my apartment and then immediately be infested with another insect right after.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 21:34:28
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Losing it, yes, I saw a dermatologist said red bumps were called nonspecfic bumps and did not see anything in my hair so perscribed me some anti-depressant pills that would make me stop itching ... I did not fill it..I do not have Morgellons nor delusional parasitosis either.
Sick and tired, Folliculitis, is actually caused by a mite ( was unclear from your post if you realized that), out of control called mange in dogs. I have been considering that even more since your post because it is thought that the immune system keeps the mite under control and when the mite grows to large populations you have symptoms.
That would explain some but not the feeling of something crawling in my hair, and nose? I know something was in my nose because one day at work I distinctly felt something crawling under my nose. By the time I got to the restroom to look I had 4 tiny little white bumps under my nose. I had milder versions happen before that sometimes just red, I thought it was my imagination until I looked in the mirror that day. I started using qtips with alcohol, anise, orange guard and Kleen free. Over time the remedies got rid of what ever was there but my nose still has mild strange sensations and gets red underneath ( the one abnormal thing the dermatologist commented on ) right after.
Anyway, my point is the immune system getting revved up by the bed bugs maybe something happened to the immune system and the follicle mites go out of control right after the number of bb bites is decreased. Maybe they can cause all of the symptoms myself and others are experiencing? I just do not think it is random. Sick and tired, losingit, serenseek, how long did you have bb?
David, thanks for the unique and scientific advise, it gives me hope of figuring this out. I like the idea very much. I think Lou is too busy for that type inspection but I may check with him or Cornell University has a lab. If you know of anyone in NYC you would recommend.
Thanks for your post serenseek, good to know there are more people with this same problem. It motives me to keep trying to figure it out.
Thanks for the advice, it is unique and scientific.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 21:37:42
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whoops, copy paste caused the last line to be repeated, sorry I did not see it was there.
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sickandtired
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 22:33:56
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hello to david and others, and thanks for your thoughtful replies.
david, you said:
... until you have identified what is causing the problem you cant realistically attempt to find a solution.
yes, but the problem is that i AM attempting to identify what would cause continued bite-like reaction after bed bugs? If some experts are aware that there's a continued reaction after BBs, and that it's a somewhat common problem, cannot one of them give some actual advice for what causes it and how to DEAL with continued bite-like sensations post-BBs? it's very frustrating.
i wrote this in another post, and i'm going to repeat it here:
"... it seems from other posts on this board, that this is a somewhat common phenomenon, and it's a REAL problem and not necessarily just in (our) head. The question is whether this common "phenomenon" is: A) some kind of post-BB psychological reaction; B) a continued allergic reaction due to increased skin sensitivity from BBs &/or pesticides; or C) a continued pest problem of some kind, BB or mites, with increased sensitivity to mites after BBs; or D) all of the above? Those are the questions and possible answers I have, anyway.
To any expert who comes along and identifies this common post-BB problem/phenomenon-- especially one who'd give specific and helpful advice and information on how to deal with it-- I think you would have a lot of grateful BB warriors on your hands."
again, i am still looking for advice on how to deal with the post-BB bites and sensations.
i don't have an entomologist i can ask to come in and microscopically inspect my apartment. sorry.to losing it: i did see a derm, he prescribed a cream and suggested an antihistamine, and said the skin can be reactive for months after having bedbugs. but when i said, "six to eight months?" which is how long it's been for me, he hesitated. claritin really isn't doing anything to diminish the 'hive-like' bites I get. and the cream doesn't do anything either. he didn't say anything folliculitis, and i didn't ask because i didn't know about that. but doesn't it seem weird to suddenly get a skin condition only after having bed bugs?? I've never had a skin problem like this before BBs, with crawling sensations and hives or bite-like marks. never had a hive in my life, actually. so why now??
and David, one last question: You say there is a possibility for a physical reaction to a high static field? Is that something that would be common to a lot of people after bed bugs, such as people on here who write that they continually feel the crawling sensations, specifically at their computer in the evening? is that a possible explanation for that, a high static field??
could that actually cause red hive/bite-like marks, as well as a crawling sensations?thanks for your help.
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losingit
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Posted 7 months ago
Thu Apr 9 2009 9:38:20
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bug18: "Folliculitis, is actually caused by a mite" Only Dermodex Follicularum (sp?) is mite based. There are several other different kinds of Foll, usually caused by bacteria or fungus. It would take a derm to diagnose which kind you.
Sick and tired: I've never had Foll. before any of this bb crap happened to me either. I can only assume that I scratched/touched my skin so much during the problem that I got the infection. It gives me some relief to actually SEE a hair in some of the welts/hive type things. I did have hives only once in my life years ago - sudden and severe and scary. It has never appeared again. But since the skin is the largest organ we have I believe that any stress, or even other physical problem can manifest itself through the skin.
I'm not diagnosing anything here, simply stating what I HOPE is going on with me based on my experience.
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bedbugsmakemesad
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Posted 7 months ago
Thu Apr 9 2009 11:36:42
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sickandtired, are you sleeping on the same sheets you used during your infestation? I ask because my skin seemed to be VERY reactive not only to the bites, but also (possibly even more so) to the fecal stains and other invisible residue they surely leave behind. As long as I was using those sheets, even after a good long hot cycle in the washer & dryer, my skin continued to itch and react even at times when I'm reasonably sure I was not getting bit. Since ditching those sheets completely and replacing them with new sheets that have never (yet... knock on wood!) seen a bed bug I've had no more skin reactions.
I'm convinced that some of us are allergic to their secreted scent hormones, fecal matter, and other residual traces as much as their actual bites. Furthermore, I noticed during my infestation, but before I had identified it as such, that my skin tended to itch more and redden worse when I was in my bedroom than when I was in my living room (which was never infested) or away from home. Again, I'm convinced it's something to do with their scent secretions, not just their bites.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Thu Apr 9 2009 21:41:36
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bedbugsmakemesad, what sickandtired said had me thinking all day something similar to what you wrote about after I found a bb skin this morning. The way you can become sensitized to something like epoxy
http://www.fram.nl/workshop/controlled_vacuum_infusion/allergy.htm
and even the smallest exposure whether it is wrapped up and sealed or a tiny bit of dust can make people react again strongly. It would make sense that bb could do the same. Bedbugsmake me sad, your firsthand experience is helpful as well, thanks so much.
thanks losing it for the clarification. I will try to find a 3rd dermatologist, maybe I will search this site, ha ha.
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sereneseek
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Posted 7 months ago
Fri Apr 10 2009 16:31:13
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To bugged18: To answer your question, I'm not sure how long I had (have had?) the bedbugs. I discovered the infestation in August 2008; however, due to the degree of the infestation I believe they had been there for months before that. You mentioned something crawling in your hair. I didn't put that in my original post, but yes, I have something crawling in my hair as well. Whatever it is will go dormant for a couple of weeks sometimes--long enough to give me hope that it is gone--but it always returns.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Sun Apr 12 2009 21:49:26
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serenseek, how is your shower pressure? ( mine is very low) I wonder if it goes dormant because you get them out but new ones get back in your hair? The Follicle mite will get into all those places that are you said you feel crawling but the question would then be why is it out of control ( I read a lot of people have them but the immune system keeps it in check it is theorized)if you have that? Are your lymph nodes swollen behind your ears at all or in the past? One side behind my ear only was on me at the height of the crawling sensations. I read it can be a symptom of lice ( or I suppose a parasite in the scalp ).
sickntired, serenseek, Cornell University has an insect diagnostic laboratory
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/public/IthacaCampus/ExtOutreach/DiagnosticLab
you can call for questions for $10? per call and you can send samples as well ($25.00). Maybe they could tell you where to get tape samples in your home and then to send to them to see what they find? I keep meaning to call myself but the times you can call are during my job and finding a private place in nyc to make that type call is challenging : ). I am hoping to fit it in soon. Thanks for starting this post.
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bugged18
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Posted 7 months ago
Tue Apr 14 2009 19:19:44
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I ran across this post looking for laundry solutions. What stood out was they had Bed bugs and then some sort of skin parasite with similar symptoms of skin crawling, feeling bugs in hair and nose.
One poster offers a fairly simple natural solution that got rid of the bugs for her I thought I would link
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Losing It, are you sure you see a hair in the center? It may be a bit of derma pulled out with the removal of the probe.
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losingit
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 8:04:32
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hi Bait, I ask myself that question non-stop. Obsessively checking each 'bite' for a hair. And yes, I can clearly see hairs sticking out of the centre of most of the ones that I CAN see, my back is really hard to examine. They're the ones that send me into a panic driven tailspin.
It IS hard to keep calm. I've done as much research on Foll as I can and can only assume the derm was right. Plus I've had my work checked 3 times and home checked 3 times with the K9 after my workplace was treated so, fingers crossed, Foll is what it is.
But honestly, I still have severe anxiety and stress all the time - which doesn't help the skin.
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bedbugsmakemesad
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 8:32:10
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bugged18 - 13 hours ago »
I ran across this post looking for laundry solutions. What stood out was they had Bed bugs and then some sort of skin parasite with similar symptoms of skin crawling, feeling bugs in hair and nose.
One poster offers a fairly simple natural solution that got rid of the bugs for her I thought I would link
http://www.e-bug.net/forum/messages/14107.shtmlWOW. Now I've heard everything. :\
I just wanted to point out at this point, though, (in case this isn't blatantly obvious) that if bugs have "burrowed under [your] scalp and hatched eggs" self-treatment is no longer an option. Period. Go to a doctor.
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Infofreak
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 8:52:24
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This thread is making me itch and I dont have bugs at all , I cant stop maybe its A psychosis that is yet to be explained
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Hoping someone can help me as I am having a hard time discerning whether the bites I am in receipt of are in fact bed bug bites. They appear to be mosquito bites but I am located in NYC and I don't believe the weather is warm enough for mosquitos. They are itchy for a period of time and then eventually (within an hour or two) shrink to the size of a pimple. This is not my typical reaction to mosquito bites...that remain welts for a few weeks as I am sensitive to them.
I have glue boards down for the last 2 weeks and the only think I have trapepd are spider beetles but I am under the impression spider beetles do not bite humans.
Does anyone has any ideas what this might be?
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losingit
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 11:18:29
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Are you seeing any evidence of bbs? Have you called a PCO in to look around?
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Losingit,
Thank you for your quick response! I am seeing no evidence - white sheets remain white...no bugs, fecal matter, blood or casings found anywhere in the apt.
I have had an inspection and no bugs or evidence were located, PCO did not believe I have bed bugs but something is biting me.
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bait
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 11:44:54
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I also have no evidence other than bites (holes, 3, 4 or 5 in a cluster or line), and blood on sheets for almost two years now.
Most people do eventually find evidence, so don't despair, keep looking.
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losingit
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Posted 7 months ago
Wed Apr 15 2009 14:08:06
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You might want to consider getting a bedbug sniffing dog in to check it out, they often find things that even experienced PCOs can miss, esp if the infestation is pretty light.
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 3 2009 19:01:17
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Hi All,
Our household has also been going thru something since December. We thought it was bed or bat bugs but have not seen any evidence to date. We put food grade DE and then DE with Pyrethrin all around the house. Things seemed to be subsiding in Feb, and then we started getting not only 'bites' but crawling sensations, and stabbing feelings. Sometimes the stabbing feels like someone jabbing you with a pin and sometimes it would feel like a hypodermic needle. (I have also been feeling little electrical jolts, but not my husband, I also get little bruises and it looks like broken blood vessels under my skin).So then we thought, "mites"? But still, no bug to be seen.
My question for those of you (like us) who are experiencing "post-BB mystery bites": is everyone absolutely positive that they even had bedbugs in the first place????
The uncertainty is killing us. Did we not even have bed bugs? If we did, are they gone? Are these 'bites' we get now something else or a mixture of both.
Sorry for the long post. we're going crazy as you all are too, and I would love to see mostly my kids get their life back. They want to invite their friends over again and go to bed without all the rituals!! Good luck to all of us, I'm amazed at how much something so small can put your life on hold!!!
Thanks - Losing My Mind (in NH) -
bugged18
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 0:55:49
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Hey Losingmymind,
I am so sorry this is way too long, skip to the end for the important question if you like.
me too : ). I have not had a positive id from a lab of a bug. I have had comet blood stains on my sheets ( about 10 one night when part of blanket feel to floor ), I saw two tiny spec or period size clear bugs in my house that looked exactly like bb baby pics that I squished when I had woken up with about 100 bites. I have had the bb bites, raised red itchy bumps often with a pierce mark in the center ( key factor ) they last several days or more. I found what looks very much like a bb casing that I need to send to a lab. I had black specs between the headboard and bed on the sheet in the beginning.
DE... after multiple chem failure and over a year of this I made a mix from a topic ; 4 months bite free, steps taken by Jeanette. It mixes de, alcohol, water and dish soap so it is not airborne unless you touch it, air currents do not move it. Bed bugs stopped biting finally and almost immediately. This is the case with all people using this recipe from what I have read. Prior to that when I first thought I had bb before pco bought de and sprinkled it around the floor and bed, it did nothing.
Strange speaks of white look like a little string maybe 1/8" sometimes less, were on a sofa I used to sleep on. I just thought it was skin but this was new and there was a lot. I was sleeping on sheets but the specs were on the sofa. I vacuum and they come back the next night. These later started appearing in my clothes even after I wash them. They were so small they would fit into the fabric fibers. I would use the lint roller but could not get them all out so kept washing.
Strange symptoms...I noticed lots of tiny bumps on my forehead I had not had before over a year ago, it came and went. Then last summer scalp started itching and it felt like bugs were crawling. Acne (?) returned to forehead and cheeks... I poured alcohol on my head and it went away until oct last year. I started getting bites (? ) inside my clothes during the day and weird scratch marks on my skin and the pricks I feel. I would look and there would be a bite(?) bump red. Along the seams and in the folds of my skin were the frequent places. Then bites in my nose I assumed were bb. Then crawling in my nose and on my face. sometimes my skin just opens in a tiny place. I have lots of blood red spots about 1mm some with faint white circle 5mm that were not there before. In the beginning of this year I sprayed the de mix and the bites distinctly bb stopped. I then realized after a month or so that something else was up. I thought it was demodex mites possibly from the stress of bed bugs since the symptoms match but the stinging and white specs do not match. Oh, the new type bites do not last ( raised, red and swollen ) but a few minutes to a couple of hours. Also at the same time I noticed the new type bites the laundry stopped working ( killing bb ) Evertime I got out of the shower and dressed bites... Only after boiling my clothes with a top on the pot ( did not work for 5 minutes and no top ) for 15 minutes did the bites and pin pricks stop. that got old and what about winter coats. I am using borax and h202 from the demodex people posts which works most of the time.
This seems to be happening to a lot of people in some form post bb. There is another topic started tonight on this actually.
I wonder myself about a DE connection after reading some strange posts on the morgelleons sites ( I do not have this no strings in my skin ) because it seems the fibers they have are made of silica ( de ) and plant material if i understand it correctly. Mr. spideyjg was very opposed to my method of DE, and said so. With your post tonight, it just got me thinking... does everyone who has the post bb bite crawling, pin pricks, did they use de?
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spideyjg
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 1:09:40
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bugged18 - 8 minutes ago »
I wonder myself about a DE connection after reading some strange posts on the morgelleons sites ( I do not have this no strings in my skin ) because it seems the fibers they have are made of silica ( de ) and plant material if i understand it correctly. Mr. spideyjg was very opposed to my method of DE, and said so. With your post tonight, it just got me thinking... does everyone who has the post bb bite crawling, pin pricks, did they use de?It would be interesting to see if there is a common eradication method, DE or pesticide, used by the people with mystery bites. Certainly DE could fall into this realm.
All part of the mystery of mystery bites. FWIW I used DE and don't have mystery bites. Then again I wasn't the one bitten. We had guest that brought BBs and never had evidence in our bedroom.
DE dries your skin out like there is no tomorrow.
Jim
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bugged18
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 1:25:01
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Thanks Jim, I guess I could do a survey, too tired tonight.
BTW I also think the DE mix method could possibly, get rid of the epidemic due it it's quick and sure success rate. No one ( PCO's that I know of ) use it but it works fast and completely. Maybe an improvement in safety from PCO's ? Food for thought.
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 9:39:07
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Thanks Bugged18,
I think the thing that is driving us more insane than the bites, is the uncertainty of EVERYTHING. We can never come to a conclusion on anything as far as it's all concerened. Is it bed bugs? Is it mites? Is it an allergic reaction? Do they live in one room? Are they in many rooms? Did the DE kill them? Have we had them long? Is this a bite or a pimple or something else?
Concerning the DE and killing bugs however, I can tell you that I have the red lily beetle in my garden, and this sucker is something that people have a difficult time erradicating w/o harmful pestisides, and last night I captured one and it happened to have 2 tiny little babies tagging along with it. Didn't even notice them when I threw it into the box until I started closely examining. About the size of two periods. Anyway, swished in a tiny bit of DE with pyrethrin and that beetle wasn't totally bathed in it, but it was coated, and she died in 2 hours, the littlest baby almost instantly and the slightly larger one died within 10 minutes. (It was actually sad to watch, but I love my lillies more!) So of course I drenched the dirt at the base of my lillies last night. Fingers crossed. I hope I didn't make a mistake.
My point (sorry to take so long!) DE with pyrethrin seems to kill some bugs. Whether or not the bed bug will walk thru the stuff.......dunno? We lightly dusted our house, just like the instructions call for.
For us, the original 'bites' we were getting, only itch for about 15 minutes and then never again. When we started getting the 'other bites' with the stabbing and crawling feelings. These things not only itched for a couple weeks, but hurt too!
I don't know how much more of this I can take. It's so depressing to realize that even blowing up your house may not do a damn thing!!
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LosingMyMind - 47 minutes ago »
Thanks Bugged18,
I think the thing that is driving us more insane than the bites, is the uncertainty of EVERYTHING. We can never come to a conclusion on anything as far as it's all concerened. Is it bed bugs? Is it mites? Is it an allergic reaction? Do they live in one room? Are they in many rooms? Did the DE kill them? Have we had them long? Is this a bite or a pimple or something else?I think this is what gets to many, many bed bug sufferers, almost more than all else. It's the "is it? Is it?" syndrome that's killing me, I know. We haven't seen a traditional sign for two months, almost, from our FIRST treatment. We found one dead bug and a host of "is this a bite? Is it a pimple? Flea bite? Why is my cat scratching so much? Is that feces? What is this red mark on my skin? OMG I have an itch! I have a small welt that goes to nothing!" etc. etc. etc.
What kills me, personally, is out of four of us who wound up with bed bugs (my roommate and I, my boyfriend at his place and the original friend who perpetrated it all), I am the only one that reacted to bites, we figure. That wouldn't be so bad, except I'm already a naturally paranoid person. Why any deity would see fit to give the one with anxiety issues the original "heads up" is still beyond me. Cruel joke. :P
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 15:27:22
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Emmm,
Sorry to hear your story. I am also up and down with my emotions when it comes to the bed bugs. I actually found myself thinking that I would rather have a parasite living under my skin than the thoughts of that disgusting looking bug sucking on my skin while I am at my most vulnerable (sleeping) for up to 10 minutes (or whatever the actual length of meal time is, (damn if you can get 2 people to give the same statistics re: these bloody suckers!!)
I've been trying to think of some ingenious way to get these suckers and I have something in mind, but I need to somehow build what I am thinking and then find a way to test it. I'll have to use ants or something, maybe bait them with sugar.
If I figure something out, fellow bed buggers from this site will be the first to know.
Take care Emmm
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bugged18
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 18:57:22
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Maybe this can provide some relief. For the past two days I have been taking olive leaf extract ( natural antibiotic ) and the itching/crawling in my nose, hair, and face has gone from a level 8 to 1-0. I wonder if the bb do have bacteria causing disease? The ticks and lyme was just not discovered yet. Maybe the bb has a mite on it kill the bb and the mite needs to eat. I still found a bite(?) this morning but I do feel better, my mind has been able to rest a little today.
I am going to try to call the bug lab at cornell tomorrow and see about sending a couple of samples of my clothes that seem to have evidence of something that bites in them. I will post if anything conclusive comes of it.
Good Luck and thanks for sharing, I am motivated again to find out what this is.
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 19:36:51
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Thanks and good luck bugged 18!
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spideyjg
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Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 4 2009 23:18:12
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Ya know the mystery bites phenomena should be the focus of an entomology paper.
Ain't there grad students going for a PhD looking for something to study? The thought of a previously unknown mystery "mite" that is leftover from the BBs has crossed my mind as well.
Jim
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I have believed for some time now that us mystery bite sufferers are fighting a new, different bug/mite. Something related to the bud bug, but not Cimex lectularius, or an evolved Cimex. For sure, no one has seen nor has any concrete knowledge of what we're talking about, but we all have very similar experiences. It distresses me to hear excuses and dismissive remarks, but these discussions are all we have so I welcome everyone's input.
In my experience, DE is the only thing that keeps the bites at bay. It doesn't permanently stop them. I use dry DE. I haven't tried Jeanette's mixture.
Thanks to all of you for keeping the topic alive.
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 7:33:57
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It's sooooooooo comforting to be able to communicate with people who understand, isn't it!!!!
We were thinking the same thing about the mites having a symbiosis with the bed bug.
On Saturday I plucked a red lily beetle (with my gloved fingers) from my lily plants outside and put him in a plastic container. When I examined him through a magnifying glass, low and behold, I discovered 2 baby beetles in the container as well. They must have been traveleing attached to the adult. I wouldn't have even seen them if it were not for the magnifier (another wonderful instrument every bed bugger owns I'm sure).
So why not the bed bug. what are they travelling with.
Bite: Are you taking that olive leaf extract orally or applying to the skin? I can't take this crawling sensation anymore. People in public are prob wondering if I have body lice.
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losingit
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Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 9:09:50
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To jump in on the crawly sensation; at home and only when I'm in bed, I get the face-crawly feeling. My cat likes to sleep on the pillow next to me and I usually pet him as I fall asleep. I had noticed that my face would become crawly and thought maybe it was his hair (sheds like crazy) getting on my face from petting him. THEN I researched it and found out about demodex mites which live on everyone by the way, but in some folks they overpopulate and can cause crawly feeling. Hmm I thought, here I go again with using the internet to self-diagnose...
But I decided to look into it anyway. Found out that IF it is Demodex mites, heat can kill them and so does Tea Tree Oil. So once or twice a week I steam my face over plain boiling water for about 10 mins. Has definitely made a huge difference. Did I have Demodex? Who the hell knows, but in any event, steaming makes my face look and feel nice and clean. Not 10 years younger though sadly:)
I also read that for Folliculitis, vinegar and water can help the infection - so I sitz bath in it every other day for 15-20 mins. It's too early to tell, but I hope it helps. I wouldn't recommend it for people who KNOW they have bbs though, as it does sting quite a bit.
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buggela
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Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 9:50:39
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so we just got an all clear from the BB dog. I am cautiously optimistic as we've had an all clear before and then did find BB's on the following visit. I'm still finding "mystery bites" which is extremely annoying. Could they be old bites resurfacing? i know it's weird but I can't think of anything else.
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bugged18
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Posted 6 months ago
Wed May 6 2009 0:07:16
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Losingmy mind I am taking nature's plus actives oral 3x a day. I like it because it it perscription quality ( so it says) and time release. My new theory back to my old theory demodex in excess due to stress and the way I handle it in an unhealthy manor ( keep it all in ) maybe. They create a lot of bacteria from decaying in your skin when they die. Maybe all the bacteria causes the skin crawling? Anyway it is still working, only felt it once today.
I spoke to Cornell's lab today. I am sending a package to her. For mystery bites I have only one thing, a sweater I had not worn in a while that was in a bag clean. I got attacked on the shoulder by many unseen bugs. I was home so I took it off and rebagged it. Hopefully she can find something. All these little marks on my shoulder, so weird. I even took a pic thank goodness. I will send that to her as well.
Losingit, I am also doing the tea tree oil alternating with buckthorn oil soaps and lotions as well. I am also doing ted's mange cure from earth clinic ( sadly my life has come to that ha ha ha ) borax and h202 after the shower and the pores are open and let it dry before dressing. It seems to be helping with the bites(?). I use borax in the laundry also and sometimes boil my clothes for 15 minutes submerged. All has made improvements to different aspects of the problem from when this first started which adds to the evidence it could be demodex or something similar ( bed bug mite ... ? but then it seems everbody would have that after they killed the bb's)
Here is a good scientific article on exactly how to kill demodex from the british journal of Ophthalmology
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1772908
bait, thanks for adding, the gel de is much safer if you follow the suggested precautions when applying. If anyone is interested I found using a chapin sprayer from lowes does not clog at at all (so you can use a higher % of DE) where as a spray bottle will do the job but I went through a lot of clogged sprayers.
Jim, maybe Cornell will take an interest who knows
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LosingMyMind
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Posted 6 months ago
Wed May 6 2009 11:37:13
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Thanks bugged18
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sereneseek
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Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 21:04:15
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Update to this: last Saturday I saw my hairdresser and he told me about the crawling sensations he has been having for the past 3 weeks. It is exactly the same thing I've had: feeling of insects crawling in nose, eyelashes, ears, scalp, even his anus (sorry!). Did I pass whatever is on me onto him? He hugs me every time he sees me, and he does have close contact with me because he does my hair. He said a naturopath told him he has candida which is yeast overgrowth, but I'm not sure what that has to do with parasites. I feel like I'm on X-files!
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bugged18
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Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 12 2009 20:26:39
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Thanks for the info Sereneseek,
From what I have read if they are demodex easy to pass with skin to skin contact, so even cheek to cheek in a hug or his hands touching your hair I would think possible. All those places are have hair follicles. I could not speculate which way it traveled.They live from what I have read 52 hours off the host longer in humid conditions.
I do not know about the candida. I did see one person on line report the itching bug crawling sensations and was cured with antifungal. Could be worth a try, the meds are hard on the liver but there are lots of natural antifungals that are less toxic.
I have not seen my aunt in over a year. I hug her when I see her. I was recently telling telling her about what was going on. She said that is so strange a while ago she had itching over her ears and it felt like bugs crawling. It went away after a while and she forgot about it. So I am a little concerned by your post but thankful to know to be very careful just in case.
Hope that helped. The demodex treatments have slowly been helping so I am continuing but am still trying to think of where to go for a good conclusive skin test ( not back to the dermatologist grrr )
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Adele
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Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 8 2009 19:23:17
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well since you are not coming back I just have to wonder if you ever did get that schizophrenia medication
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The mites must be gnawing at his amygdala.
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thinkforyourself,
Your post was deleted for derogatory language about others.
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earthangel
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Posted 1 month ago
Fri Oct 9 2009 20:24:17
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At this point I can just add to the mystery bite data here, I don't know what I have, but I hope someone can help, or that this info helps somebody, or prompts some professional to study this further.
I don't think I have bedbugs, because for the year I've had my bite problems, I have no blood ever on my sheets or nightclothes, and no evidence of bedbugs to date. (I may call someone in to check anyhow).
Re: someone else's hypothesis, I have also not used DE.
But I do have mystery bites. The bites are invisible, but can be intensely painful when they occur. Sometimes I have intense sensations as if I am being stabbed with a needle, sometimes less intense pinprick sensations, sometimes something that feels more like an electricity spark, or a tiny hot cinder on my skin.
I also now have a lot of itching.
This thing happens in particular to exposed skin - ankles, hands - when I am seated in one spot in my apartment, where I spend a lot of time, at my computer desk. If there were such a things as invisible hopping biting bugs - that's how it feels. Last summer I had these symptoms, and they went away when the weather got colder.
The problem with "bites" does not extend to where my bed is - I am okay on my bed or in it. I change nightgown every day, but not sheets. I encased the mattress and pillows but was okay before that too, it just seemed like the smart move.
This year they came back, much worse, and now accompanied by a very itchy head, and itchiness elsewhere. Selsun Blue shampoo helps temporarily, used for washing head and used as body wash. 3 doctors find no signs of lice or anything else, but I hope to find someone who knows more. I treat my scalp with Rid every week or two anyhow as it seems to calm things down.
The symptoms are almost absent in the daytime, and come on quite strong after 4:30 pm or so, wherever I am. I'll go through day thinking I'm fine, then they come back. Totally fresh clothes provide some help.
Tape on skin produces nothing at all except - I did find larvae from some kind of beetle, on three different occasions, right at spots on me where I felt stings, a few months ago. I've sent out the carpet from this part of my house (it's all natural, which I think beetles like) and no longer find larvae on me at all, ever. I've found a few more of them in the house, though, and now wonder about an allergy to something about them.
My symptoms match symptoms reported by two groups - people who consider they have an allergy to dead beetle products (hairs, skins, casings), and people who consider they are plagues by a live thing too small to see. I can't take most allergy meds because they are a dangerous combination with another med I take, which I don't want to stop as it took me years to find it.I've never had allergies before, or much of anything wrong physically.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 days ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 12:58:09
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I apologize for bringing up this old thread but I am now experiencing this as well and just wanted to add another voice to those here in this thread. I have been given the 'all clear' twice over now by two K9s - have no bed bug evidence, and yet strange mystery bites appear on me randomly throughout the entire day (between 1 - 5 bites) anywhere they please.
In my case I have not ever seen an actual bug before I began my treatment - nor was there any other proof of them save for two dogs (separate days) that alerted to their presence in my apartment after I was getting strange bites showing up. I realize that it's not the best thing to treat for them without finding them, but there you have it.
So I too am now left wondering the same things as LosingMyMind indicates below:
LosingMyMind - 6 months ago »
Thanks Bugged18,
I think the thing that is driving us more insane than the bites, is the uncertainty of EVERYTHING. We can never come to a conclusion on anything as far as it's all concerened. Is it bed bugs? Is it mites? Is it an allergic reaction? Do they live in one room? Are they in many rooms? Did the DE kill them? Have we had them long? Is this a bite or a pimple or something else?Although in my case the reactions are the opposite as what LosingMyMind posted. My initial bites were terribly itchy and lasted for months (I still have the initial group of 20 that are around my ankles) however the new bites I get these days itch for the first 10 minutes then fade to small red bumps - fading away in 12 - 72 hours later.
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Newblood, you have just described my situation to a tee.
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earthangel
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Posted 3 days ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 14:02:49
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I have made some progress since I posted last.
At the very kind suggestion of KillerQueen, I ordered this flea trap
(it's about $13) and placed it where the infestation is worst. I now have collected at lest ten extremely tiny things (with a magnifying glass I can affirm they are "bugs," and not "specks," but too small to see more that way) and am hoping to get them identified soon. They are smaller than the period at the end of the sentence on this computer screen.
From the ten thousand pages of internet reading I have done, I am guessing they are bird mites, bird fleas, or bird lice -- but who knows.
From talking to KillerQueen and reading some more, I think they may get in to my high-rise apartment because of a person who scatters TONS of birdseed around the building, inviting birds to hang around and wait for her and excrete things. Anyhow check for bird problems, nest problems, rodent problems, anything that might eventuate in bugs looking for a new host.
Meanwhile I can offer these daunting but for me necessary interim strategies until I get an ID and a PCO:
Settle on a manageable set of clothes you'll wear and launder, and keep them away from your other stuff. When you undress every day, put everything you had on into a floppy "tall kitchen trash bag," tie a slip-knot in its neck, and toss this into hamper.
Wear each item of clothing only once. Wash everything in hot water with ammonia and Borax, and dry on hot setting. Technique of drying only, which people use for bedbugs, does not seem to work, tried it for an hour with some coats and they were still itchy.Needless to say, pick things that will stand the laundering. I've been surprised at how many things can take being washed and dried hot.
Never re-use the white bags as you will re-infest everything. I put clean clothes in clear-colored bags so I don't make a mistake and can see them. I sort them by -- work clothes, nightclothes, casual clothes, exercise clothes, underclothes, coats. I put most black clothes in separate ziplock bags with labels, as they all look alike in a pile! And my "set" of clothes is mostly black because they all can go together.
Wash hair and body with Selsun Blue, the more expensive variety which says it is very medicated. Blue with red top.
After shower, spray body, hair, with Listerine, and then rinse it off. And then spray whole shower area and bathroom with Windex. In general Windex seems to knock them down or "direct kill." If I don't do it, I feel the f-ers hopping around in the bathroom.
Windex does not destroy many things (furniture, clothes - NOT good for skin, lungs, though) and seems to provide temporary control.
For shoes - I swish 91% rubbing alcohol in them, then stuff the toes up with an alcohol-soaked paper towel, then put shoes in plastic bag in the freezer at least overnight.
Never wear the same bedclothes. I supplemented my normal stock of nightclothes with some stuff from EBay and Kmart.Make yourself a few spray bottles of rubbing alcohol, carry one, keep a few handy, when something bites you, spray that spot immediately. If you're out and feel them in shoes, you can spray your socks/feet. Or any other part of clothes/body. 91% alcohol also seems to "direct kill" them.
I keep white bags now in my purse or tote bag, and if I go to visit someone I put my coat and purse in them. And of course I am especially 100% all-clean when I go there. I generally say, "there is something in my apartment that's making me itchy, I don't know what it is, I don't want this stuff sitting around in your house."
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Do people generally find these mystery bites are not like their original bed bug bites?
Periodically I find the tiniest little welt, maybe a red bump, come up after a very mild itchy sense. They're maybe in pairs (and sometimes that's even stretching it) once every 100 times. I freaked out about them at first, and they did get worse as I'd stress. I generally talk myself down from the ledge, so to speak, now when I find them, and do sometimes find they come up in dry/cold weather, when I'm stressed or upset, or anything that isn't optimal for skin condition. Before I moved to this new apartment, I, too, would get that strange pinching bite with nothing to show, nothing to see, etc. etc.
In my case, I'd guess the pesticides, over-showering/washing of clothes, and general exposure to bed bug related things have pushed my skin to react to nearly everything. Keeping in mind how different my original bites were helps me relax a bit, and when time goes by from noticing a mystery bite with no actual signs since also goes a long way.
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earthangel - 5 hours ago »
I now have collected at lest ten extremely tiny things (with a magnifying glass I can affirm they are "bugs," and not "specks," but too small to see more that way) and am hoping to get them identified soon. They are smaller than the period at the end of the sentence on this computer screen.Hi earthangel,
I hope you will get the samples identified by an entomologist soon. University extensions are good places to try, and large pest control firms often contract an entomologist or have one on staff.
You need to get the sample identified and get proper professional treatment for whatever problem you are experiencing.
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earthangel
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Posted 2 days ago
Thu Nov 19 2009 2:51:33
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Thanks so much, No BugsOnMe, that is exactly what I am doing as my next step, and as soon as possible. I hope Lou Sorkin will be able to find a moment for me to go show him this sample.
I'd also like to know if anyone has a recommendation in New York for someone who is experienced with bird mites-bird fleas-bird lice. I don't like to believe all the extreme pessimism on some bird mite sites, but all of that makes me want to be very careful, which I think has slowed me down, fear of having somebody in here who doesn't know what he's doing and makes it worse.
Because it is really really ill terrible as it is. It is painful and itchy, it's disrupted my whole small apartment, the guy who will listen to me talk about invisible bites from invisible bugs. It is also very hard doing all this endless laundry.
If you have a reco, of yourself or someone you know or know of who knows bugs that come form birds and rodents, please send me a message, and if for any reason you want discretion from me be sure you will have it.
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I ordered that flea trap and will be setting it up soon. I'll post my results.
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NewBlood
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Posted 2 days ago
Thu Nov 19 2009 7:47:30
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Hey Earthangel, hey Bait,
Yes please! Let us know what you discover - I may go and get one of those traps too and hope beyond hope that it's a mite getting me. I awoke this morning with 2 new bites showing up and I'm approaching wit's end - alas I am not having the same symptoms as earthangel though - I feel nothing 'crawling' on me at all.
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earthangel
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Posted 2 days ago
Thu Nov 19 2009 9:52:26
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Yes, I hope I'm not posting too soon, I hope these things in the flea trap turn out to be identifiable.
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