Carl 1 Lucky Texan wrote:

wrote:

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.


Good post - I take issue though with the vaseline,etc. part becaiuse
that was an old remedy for scabies mites which chiggers are not.

If the OP were working around any area where animals have a 'trail' it
is very likely to be chiggers. But, as a general rule, they're not gonna
be in ones 'garden'. I suppose a neighbor could have dogs, sheep or some
other kind of animal that might be a source. Or if the OP were working
on a hiking trail, etc. I have actually looked on the tip of long
Johnson grass blades and seen the little devils lurking there. They are
very small and red. Under a microscope, the 'nose' is almost as long as
the body and is folded underneath!

I have also been bitten by imported fire ants and they will leave a bite
that resembles a very small 'whitehead' acne lesion. Though, unlike
chigger bites, there is usually immediate pain.

My vote is some type of insect/mite. Indoors or out, I dunno.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan



One possible way to narrow down WHERE or if it is insects, count the
bites before either bed or garden work - then use some insect repellent
and go to bed or go to work. Then count the lesions after wards - or
possibly use repellent on one - say - your upper torso - and see if all
new bites are on the untreated area.

Carl


--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

If the OP were working around any area where animals have a 'trail' it
is very likely to be chiggers. But, as a general rule, they're not gonna

There arent many animals in the part of NYC where I am.
I am in the surburbs of NYC. Back yards are about, 100 feet by 30
feet.

The only animals I have seen around are squirrels, racoons and once in
a blue, a possum.

be in ones 'garden'. I suppose a neighbor could have dogs, sheep or some

Its not exactly a garden...we planted bamboo years ago, and they grew
like crazy, including into the edge of the neighbors property. So I
hoped the fence and cut down the bamboo that invaded their property.
It is hilly and with a few trees, so not much for animals to do there.
That took about 10 minutes, then I worked on the bamboo on our grass
for the rest of the time.

Johnson grass blades and seen the little devils lurking there. They are
very small and red. Under a microscope, the 'nose' is almost as long as

I think I have seen those.
They look like spiders, but VERY small, and FAST...actually they look
like crabs (they kind that lives in the ocean)
They usually crawl on the brick/concrete steps

In article .com,
says...
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.



Actually...... chiggers are the larval stage of the harvest mite. The
latter nymph stages and the adult mite are totally harmless and feed on
plant matter. They don't lay eggs since they are the "babies". They
don't drink our blood, but inject an enzyme that will dissolve the skin
cells and they feed on our liquified skin.

--
Lar

One possible way to narrow down WHERE or if it is insects, count the
bites before either bed or garden work - then use some insect repellent

I rarely garden. This year I have gone out twice to remove bamboo
only.

But I do keep a count and it does seem to increase by a few when I do
wake up.
Which leads me to believe bed bugs, But this has happened in 2
different hotel rooms in the last 2 weeks, and this weekend, in my
bedroom 1 night, then when I slept in the living room, it happened
there too.

In article .com,
says...
I think I have seen those.
They look like spiders, but VERY small, and FAST...actually they look
like crabs (they kind that lives in the ocean)
They usually crawl on the brick/concrete steps



You are probably seeing clover mites.
--
Lar

Dude! That doesn't look like Poison Ivy at All!!!!!

Arghh....more doubt now.
But the dermatologist this morning was pretty confident that it was
poison ivy.

They do look A LOT like Chiggers, and let me tell you that as a kid not

but I have them all over my body - chest/stomach/knees/arms
I believe Chiggers mainly happen around the waistband

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

Out of all the wounds I have, about 5-6 have this.
But that could be because I have scratched them to the point, where
they burst and scabbed over (and is slightly infected)

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.

But the weird thing is, I have gotten more and more every morning.
and I have not been in the garden/backyard for 3 weeks.

They look like spiders, but VERY small, and FAST...actually they look
like crabs (they kind that lives in the ocean)
They usually crawl on the brick/concrete steps



You are probably seeing clover mites.
--
Lar

Just looked on google images, and yeah, I think you are right.

Do you have an opinion on what my wounds look like?
Bed bugs...poison ivy?

Thanks

wrote:

Dude! That doesn't look like Poison Ivy at All!!!!!


Arghh....more doubt now.
But the dermatologist this morning was pretty confident that it was
poison ivy.


They do look A LOT like Chiggers, and let me tell you that as a kid not


but I have them all over my body - chest/stomach/knees/arms
I believe Chiggers mainly happen around the waistband


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


Out of all the wounds I have, about 5-6 have this.
But that could be because I have scratched them to the point, where
they burst and scabbed over (and is slightly infected)


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.


But the weird thing is, I have gotten more and more every morning.
and I have not been in the garden/backyard for 3 weeks.

Ever noticed any black excresence or 'fibers' associated with the
leasions?
http://www.morgellons.org/index.html

Carl



--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

The irritant in Poison Ivy is an oil. You do not need to come in
contact with the vine, only come in contact with something that has come
in contact with the vine. I once got a significant case of poison ivy by
playing with my dog who liked to play in the poison ivy.

If the oil is on clothing, gloves, or clean up equipment, it could
continue to recontaminate you even after weeks.

wrote:
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).

My poison ivy appeared in patches, not evenly all over my body. This
may not be poison ivy. A lot of the bumps have been scratched and
could become infected, so something is needed to remove the itching.
If it is poison ivy you may need a hormone shot. You can tell a
bedbug infestation by their feces they leave behind. Skin breakouts
can be difficult to diagnose and may be a symptom of something more
serious--see the best dermatologist you can find.

Dude,

Do you sleep with your shirt off?

Do you have pets?

If the answer to both is "yes", then they might be flea bites.


Also, have you ever had "Chicken Pox" before?
Those leasions do look a lot like Chicken Pox.
You may have contracted a weak form and don't even
realize you are running a temperature.

I had only one leasion on the top of my head! Took the Doctors
forever before they were able to diagnose me.


The thing about Poison Ivy is that it doesn't produce isolated
pustules. It does produce pustules, but only within a defined
rash or inflammed area. (Most of the pustuls are actualy a staph
infections
from scratching the skin)

-Jason

Do you sleep with your shirt off?

Yes

Do you have pets?

Dog, but we put that Advantix-9 on him once a month to kill fleas.

But I am only home on the weekends, and this started while I was out of
town in a hotel.

Also, have you ever had "Chicken Pox" before?

Yes.

The thing about Poison Ivy is that it doesn't produce isolated
pustules. It does produce pustules, but only within a defined

Thats what i thought, but the dermatologist, said it was poison ivy.
Plus, on my way out of town Monday, I stopped by mother's office, and
there was a doctor there (general pract) who also said it looked like
poison ivy, of course his diagnosis was based off a 1 minute look.

Jason correctly described what poison ivy reaction looks like -
pustules would be within an inflamed area, not isolated. Moreover,
aside from that, contact with contaminated clothing would produce a
reaction in the same area, not a new area every day. Especially since
you are getting new reactions after sleeping in a hotel - that pretty
much rules out the poison ivy IMHO. Irritation is irratation - redness
and swelling - is merely the body's immune system reacting to some kind
of insult. Question is what? Dunno, but, I would fire the docs who
said poison ivy.

wrote:
But I am only home on the weekends, and this started while I was out of
town in a hotel.


Last year on a program called "Dateline" there was a segment on how
bedbugs were making a comeback due to the cleaning practices, or lack
there of, in Hotels.

As you may have heard, only the sheets and pillow cases are ever washed
in hotels.
Bedspreads are not washed and under random tests most bedspreads from
the most expensive to the least expensive Hotel Chain tested positive
for blood, urine, and seemen stains.

The problem is that bedbugs just don't hide in the bedding. They
wander far away and also live in the carpet and cracks in the floor and
walls.

If they are bedbug bites, then you will need to contact a professional
exterminator.

Webpage with info and pics of BedBugs and BedBug Bites:

http://medent.usyd.edu.au/bedbug/

Another Webpage with some added Tips for dealing with BedBugs:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vec...tor-faq1.shtml


The link above gives some hints on how you might check to see if you
can find any bedbugs hiding on your mattress, box springs, or in the
area around your bed. If you can find them, forget what the doctor
says and call an exterminator immediately.

-Jason

Wow, didn't even think of poison ivy/oak.

Also - I wish I was half a buff as you.