Poison Ivy vs Bed Bugs
tfo...@yahoo.com
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
Charles
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.
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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
Tom J
>
> 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.asp?productID=131&WID=%7B7DD0C1C7-EB2F-4542-83C2-3C633088143D%7D
Also at your local drug store
Just personal experience - I'm no doctor or bug expert
William Wagner
tfo...@yahoo.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 bastards
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.
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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
bu...@bugs.com
On 5-Jun-2006, tfo...@yahoo.com 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
wrkg...@yahoo.com
this problem and in my experience it would be one or more large broad
patches, not a lot of little ones.
Lar
tfo...@yahoo.com says...
:) 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.
:)
:)
Another post reminded of an insect that CAN create a "blister" type
sore when they bite...the western conenose bug, aka Kissing Bug.
--
Lar
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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 are:
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).
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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.
Lucky
tfo...@yahoo.com 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.
> 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
Carl 1 Lucky Texan
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
--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)
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
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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
Lar
Lucky...@aol.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
tfo...@yahoo.com
> 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.
Lar
tfo...@yahoo.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
tfo...@yahoo.com
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.
tfo...@yahoo.com
> :) 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
Carl 1 Lucky Texan
Ever noticed any black excresence or 'fibers' associated with the
leasions?
http://www.morgellons.org/index.html
Gloria
<tfo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1149532366....@j55g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
keith_nuttle
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.
Lucky
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
tfo...@yahoo.com
> leasions?
> http://www.morgellons.org/index.html
>
> Carl
Not really, but 1 or 2 of them (which is not a lot in total) had a
black tip.
Of course, this could have been dried blood/scab from my scratching.
tfo...@yahoo.com
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.
wrkg...@yahoo.com
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.
Lucky
tfo...@yahoo.com 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/vector/vector-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
Happybattles
Also - I wish I was half a buff as you. :D
tfo...@yahoo.com
> Wow, didn't even think of poison ivy/oak.
what do you think about that diagnosis?
I sent the pictures to my primary physician, and he said it doesnt look
like it.
But I sent it to a friend who is also a doctor and he said it looks
like it.
So half the people thinks its poison ivy, the other half says its not.
Very frustrating.
> Also - I wish I was half a buff as you. :D
lol, I wish I was.
I have not worked out in 3 weeks since this whole episode started, I've
just been sitting in the hotel room staring at the bed spread trying to
see if anything is moving. (and last night, something was!)
tfo...@yahoo.com
> Looks like a staff infection to me.
someone else mentioned that.
especially since I do wrestle while I am out of town for work.
and ring worm and staph is not uncommon in wrestling.
but I thought staph enters through a cut and infects it.
so it would be around the area of the cut...not spread all over.