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Question for the entomologists and/or experienced PCO’s re: Mites
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bbbklyn
newbite
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 3
Posted 9 months ago
Wed Jun 10 2009 12:40:10
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I have a question for the entomologists and/or experienced PCO’s on this site. I have been getting regular bites since February. At the time, I moved into a new apartment and adopted 2 cats (I also have a dog). Since I had bedbugs in the past, every time a new bump appears on my body, my initial reaction is “BEDBUGS!”. Initially, I thought that old bites might be flaring up, etc. I even tried to tell myself that they were psychosomatic- but they keep appearing. I’ve searched my apartment high and low (numerous times) and haven’t found a bedbug, fecal trace, shed skin, etc. I’ve turned the lights on in the middle of the night when I felt like something was crawling on my skin and I’ve never seen anything. I’m assuming that some evidence would be apparent if I’ve been getting bites since mid February?? Yesterday, while searching the forum for “mystery bites”, I came across a post about Cheyletiella mites and the symptoms seem similar: dandruff on animals, one cat has a couple of tiny scabs on his neck (nothing major) and I have bites that are mostly concentrated on my torso & buttocks (a few have also appeared on my limbs and face). And as previously stated, I’ve also had the sensation of my skin “crawling”. So, today I’m wondering if I might have mites and I can’t believe that the possibility of a parasite living on my body actually makes me optimistic/hopeful. I feel that anything would be better than going through the bedbug nightmare again.
So, my questions are as follows. First, is this something that a dermatologist can diagnose, or do I need to take all (3) pets to the vet? If so, how accurate are skin tests for animals? Also, do you have any experience in treating for Cheyletiella mites? If so, what is the typical treatment process? Do I need to wash/bag all clothing? Will heat kill them? How contagious are they (can I transfer them to a friend)? Any info and/or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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losingit
member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 292
Posted 9 months ago
Wed Jun 10 2009 12:53:51
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I read a lot about demodex mites (naturally occuring in all people) and the sites I looked at said a derm can test for these so I presume it would be the same maybe? If I were you I'd go to a dermatologist and ask them, they should be able to do a skin-scrape or something like that.
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bbbklyn
newbite
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 3
Posted 9 months ago
Wed Jun 10 2009 14:10:10
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Thank you. It would certainly be easier (and cheaper) than hauling my pets to the vet.
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Are you sure it's not a fleas problem?
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bbbklyn
newbite
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 3
Posted 9 months ago
Wed Jun 10 2009 22:06:35
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Definitely not a flea problem. My dog had fleas several years ago & I know what to look for. I brush my pets a few times a week with a flea comb to help w/ excessive shedding. No fleas and no "flea dirt". I wish that was the issue.
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