Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
I went to another dermatologist today, and he took a look at the bites
on my body and said it is poison ivy/contact dermatitis. Yes, I did do about an hour work in the garden back on May 20th. But I did not get any red itchy bumps until May 25th, and that was only 1 on my left arm, and armpit and some on my torso. A week later (friday June 2nd) went to the dermatologist, she looked at the ones on my arm and said Exzecma, then saw the bites on my body and said looks like 'insect bites, probably bed bugs' - since I travel for work. Plus I wake up every morning with a few more bumps. Today (monday June 5th) went to another doctor for a second opinion, he looked and said it did not look like bed bug bites. I told him that I scratched the bites so it might not look like it originally did. But he pointed out that I have 3 bites (2 on left arm, 1 on rt) that has a clear head/water bubble. He said bites dont cause that, and he just doesnt think it looks like bed bug bites. I told him that I wore a shirt and pants when I worked in the garden, and I told him that I get new itchy bumps every morning even though its been 2 weeks, and he said that happens sometimes with poison ivy, it comes on gradually and can keep coming even 2 weeks later. But he did say my scratching has caused the bites/bumps to get bad, so I have a serious reaction now, he gave me a cortisone shot and gave me a prescription for some cream and pills for the itching (atarax) Could you take a look at the pictures of my torso and let me know what you think it COULD be. (I did not take pictures of the bumps on the arms and knees) I know you all are not medical professionals, I am just relaying on your practical experiance, so dont worry, I wont sue =) Thanks!!! http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/2.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/3.jpg |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
I don't know what it is, but have you considered that you may have
contaminated your bedding. Urishinol can get on fabrics and persist for some time. my mom had problems that way. But it doesnt look like poison ivy (according to pictures I found on google) Also, I stay in a hotel during the week, and this weekend I took out new blankets. Same result, more bumps the next morning. Thanks |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
Charles wrote:
I don't know what it is, but have you considered that you may have contaminated your bedding. Urishinol can get on fabrics and persist for some time. my mom had problems that way. That may be what is happening, or scratching with contaminated finger nails. If I even think I have poison ivy/oak, I coat it with Caladryl Clear Lotion. It dries clear on the skin, stops itching and seals in the poison so it's not being spread to other parts of the body. I use to use Calamine Lotion before I heard about Caladryl. http://www.dermadoctor.com/product.a...C633088143D%7D Also at your local drug store Just personal experience - I'm no doctor or bug expert |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
Looks like a staff infection to me.
wrote in message ups.com... I went to another dermatologist today, and he took a look at the bites on my body and said it is poison ivy/contact dermatitis. Yes, I did do about an hour work in the garden back on May 20th. But I did not get any red itchy bumps until May 25th, and that was only 1 on my left arm, and armpit and some on my torso. A week later (friday June 2nd) went to the dermatologist, she looked at the ones on my arm and said Exzecma, then saw the bites on my body and said looks like 'insect bites, probably bed bugs' - since I travel for work. Plus I wake up every morning with a few more bumps. Today (monday June 5th) went to another doctor for a second opinion, he looked and said it did not look like bed bug bites. I told him that I scratched the bites so it might not look like it originally did. But he pointed out that I have 3 bites (2 on left arm, 1 on rt) that has a clear head/water bubble. He said bites dont cause that, and he just doesnt think it looks like bed bug bites. I told him that I wore a shirt and pants when I worked in the garden, and I told him that I get new itchy bumps every morning even though its been 2 weeks, and he said that happens sometimes with poison ivy, it comes on gradually and can keep coming even 2 weeks later. But he did say my scratching has caused the bites/bumps to get bad, so I have a serious reaction now, he gave me a cortisone shot and gave me a prescription for some cream and pills for the itching (atarax) Could you take a look at the pictures of my torso and let me know what you think it COULD be. (I did not take pictures of the bumps on the arms and knees) I know you all are not medical professionals, I am just relaying on your practical experiance, so dont worry, I wont sue =) Thanks!!! http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/2.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/3.jpg |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
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Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
In article . com,
wrote: http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/2.jpg Looks like chigger's too me. In such case nothing to do as the *******s are gone. Which means the bites should get better and there is nothing to kill. As I understand it our bodies are just responding to an attack we did not notice. Hate them!!!!! http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/chiggers.html Just a guest as I'm no doc but I've had similar mostly below bely button level. Try not to scratch . Your Doc may prescribe cortisone cream. Could be an annual occurrence here but August is a time for viewing our garden not working in it except for fast forays. The timing of you bites is much different than here in N.J. USA. Perhaps you are more South? Bill -- S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit. |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
Looks like chigger's too me. In such case nothing to do as the *******s
are gone. Which means the bites should get better and there is nothing to kill. As I understand it our bodies are just responding to an attack we did not notice. Hate them!!!!! My understanding (been doing a lot of research lately!) is that chiggers mostly attack where the waistband meets the body. They like the tight surface. But Ive gotten these bites all over the body and some on the knees and arms too. It looks like bed bugs (which would suck) but the dermatologist today was adament that it was not them. Could be an annual occurrence here but August is a time for viewing our garden not working in it except for fast forays. The timing of you bites is much different than here in N.J. USA. Perhaps you are more South? I am in NYC. Thanks |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
I don't think it is clothing contaminated with poison ivy. I have had
this problem and in my experience it would be one or more large broad patches, not a lot of little ones. |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
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Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
I told you I thought it wasn't BB's. I kind of figured it was something else
after our last conversation and you all of a sudden noticing more bumps. I had figured it was something that you had missed in your daily routine of I was thinking that I have so much "bug saliva" in my system (Im very allergic to mosquito bites), that when I scratched my shoulder, I actually SCRATCHED it, so it got red and swollen. things you had done. You never thought about the gardening because it had been so long ago had you? What is happening is you are scratching these and The reasons I am doubtful about the poison ivy diagnosis a 1. I was outside for 60 minutes with a shirt and long pants and sneakers on a Sat. got a thing behind my ear, 1 under my armpit and 1 on my bicep on a Thursday. (plus I showered right when I was done outside, and I rarely go into the garden) 2. I have about 80 "bites" but only around 3 with a waterbubble head. Yes, it could be true that I had more, but when I scratched it got broken. But a lot of them also do not have the waterbubble head (when they were new) 3. I get at least 4 more every morning. I take a count at night before I go to sleep and count it in the morning, and I get more when I wake up. When I take the count at night, the number is the same. 4. Plus my dermatologist from Friday said it looked like bites. Granted, I forgot to tell her I was in the garden, since it was a week before and the symptoms did not start until almost a week later. opening them up and spreading the poison around to new places on your body. Is that true? My mother told me that if you break a poison ivy bite, the liquid/pus does not spread the poison ivy. If you can fight off the urge to scratch you will help yourself to end this soon. The med's your doctor gave you will also help to end it pretty soon Hopefully....Im sure all Pest Control specialists hear this: "Im scared to go to sleep!" also. The pictures do most definitely look like poison ivy to me. The bumps look to have heads on them or look like small boils, the only insect bite that will look anything like that is usually a spider or a stinging insect of some kind, not a bedbug. Dont you think this picture of insect bites and hives: http://z.about.com/d/p/440/e/f/2433.jpg http://www.tumama.net/images/hives/hives_03.jpg looks like: (left side of picture, my lower right side of my torso) Plus a lot of the bumps have been scratched and "burst" by me. http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/2.jpg Prior poster above speaking about clothing with poison ivy: "and in my experience it would be one or more large broad patches, not a lot of little ones. " So you don't need to call out an exterminator for your home, that's a relief. But if you do ever need one for anything else let me know and I will recommend a good one for you. Thanks for all your help! A lot of professionals wouldnt take the time to help out so much. Thanks to everyone also. HOPEFULLY it is poison ivy *but I still have doubts =( * and not insects. To be honest, I dont care about the itchiness as much, what has been bothering me the last 5 days is worry about bringing bugs into the house (since I get more bumps at home). |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
Another post reminded of an insect that CAN create a "blister" type
sore when they bite...the western conenose bug, aka Kissing Bug. -- Lar I've always been a bit afraid of insects, especially now with my bed bug scare, IF, I ever saw a bug like that near me....I would FREAK OUT!!! I dont even like looking at those mini-spider-looking red bugs that move around really quickly on brick/concrete steps. Luckily I live in NYC, where we do not have those semi-fire type ants that they have in Florida and Atlanta. When I was there and saw how quickly they came out of the anthill with any disturbance, its freaky. Or those giant flying roaches. Or brown recluse spiders. |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
wrote: I went to another dermatologist today, and he took a look at the bites on my body and said it is poison ivy/contact dermatitis. Could you take a look at the pictures of my torso and let me know what you think it COULD be. (I did not take pictures of the bumps on the arms and knees) I know you all are not medical professionals, I am just relaying on your practical experiance, so dont worry, I wont sue =) Thanks!!! http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/2.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/tforms1/3.jpg Dude! That doesn't look like Poison Ivy at All!!!!! They do look A LOT like Chiggers, and let me tell you that as a kid not a summer went by without me getting some. (And I always seem to get them on the one area a man surely doesn't want them.) Many people don't even know what "Chiggers" are, let alone believe them to be real. Also, many black folk often mistake this term for a term refering to a person who is mixed black and Chinese!!!!! (I actualy had one black woman tell me she oughta slap my face for saying that word in front of her. I tried explaining what a Chigger is but from the look on her face I don't think she believed me.) Chiggers are basicly "Biting Mites". Just as in female mosquitoes, only femal mites will attack humans. They bore into a pore in the skin, suck blood, and then lay their eggs INSIDE the poor. You will most likely never be able to see a Chigger in action as they are even smaller than head lice. However, the itching and inflamation associated with Chigger "bites" are fare more worse than any mosquitoe. You can always tell the difference between a mosquito and a chigger bite by the severity of the itch as well as the "bump". Chigger bites will remain a bright red until they are almost completely healed while mosquito bites will only be such color for a short period of time before the color fades to normal, even thought the itch may remain. Chigger bites produce such an incredible urge to itch that it often produces pleasure when they are scratched! Chigger bites also "weep" or ooze a clear liquid which will can dry to form a piece of sand-like substance, similiar to the type one may find in the corner of their eyes upon waking. Chigger bites take far more time to heal than mosquitoe bites and often will leave scars when they do eventualy heal. How does one get Chiggers? Chiggers act just like Ticks, and not suprising since Ticks are merely the largest specias of Mites found in the world. Chiggers will climb a tall blade of grass and simply wait for a warm-blooded creature happens to pass by. When one does, they lash out and grab any hair or clothing and then work their way to the skin. Usualy, chiggers will not travel far from the skin they originaly made contact with so it is far more likely to get chiggers around your feet, ankles, and calves, however Men often get them on their SCROTUM (Scream to denote Pain), especialy if a man is wearing shorts. Chiggers on the upper body are a bit odd, but only if you can't explain how they might have gotten there If you were on your hands and kness with your shirt making contact with grass and leaves, then that would explain it. How to treat Chigger Bites: First thing First: To kill the Chiggers living in your pores use either Campho Phenique or other "Chigger" preperations. You can also use clear fingernail polish or vaseline to coat the bite as this will smother the chiggers who require oxygen to breath. Use standard over the counter treatments for the itch such as Calomine Lotion. Soaking the afflicted part of the body in a solution of water, epsom salt, and baking soda, will help dry out the bites. When working outdoors, always use an Insect Repellant containing "Deet", the number one compound proven to actualy work. Anything containing this will discourage biting flies, mosquitoes, tickes, and Chiggers. -Basicly anything that wants to eat you! ***************************************** Poison Ivy/Poison Oak Myth: "I am so sensitive that I can catch poison ivey/poison oak from merely walking by it or being near it." FALSE: That's like saying you walked by a person snorting cocain and then subsequently felt the associated high. The volitale oils found in the leaves of poison ivy/poison oak is the culprit which causes us so much discomfort. This oil is not found in the pollen so this disproves the belief that some claim to get "poison ivy hay fevers". The only way you can come down with the rash and nasty side-effects is through the oil contacting the skin. How soon a rash develops is different between each person. People who have dry hands or small cracks or cuts in their skin will have a more quicker responce while those whose skin is more oily will have a delayed reaction. Oil can also stick to tools, clothing, and pets and can be transmitted to a person. This may be why so many people believe that they can catch the rash from merely being near the plants. "I'm allergic to Poison Ivy, but not Poison Oak" FALSE: They may be different species of plants, but it's the same substance in each that causes the sever reaction in people, so if you are allergic to one, you are allergic to all. -Jason |
Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
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Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
On 5-Jun-2006, wrote: I went to another dermatologist today, and he took a look at the bites on my body and said it is poison ivy/contact dermatitis. I told you I thought it wasn't BB's. I kind of figured it was something else after our last conversation and you all of a sudden noticing more bumps. I had figured it was something that you had missed in your daily routine of things you had done. You never thought about the gardening because it had been so long ago had you? What is happening is you are scratching these and opening them up and spreading the poison around to new places on your body. If you can fight off the urge to scratch you will help yourself to end this soon. The med's your doctor gave you will also help to end it pretty soon also. The pictures do most definitely look like poison ivy to me. The bumps look to have heads on them or look like small boils, the only insect bite that will look anything like that is usually a spider or a stinging insect of some kind, not a bedbug. I am glad you found out what it is and if the itching gets to bad you can always take a bath in oatmeal, trust me it works. They make a bath especially for that and they are wonderful. I have had to use them before in situations where I get out in the woods and get chiggers. So you don't need to call out an exterminator for your home, that's a relief. But if you do ever need one for anything else let me know and I will recommend a good one for you. -- I wish you all the best Tim Wise www.onepest.com www.askourpros.com |
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