Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

I am not sure why, but I feel weird posting this, but need some guidance....


For the past maybe week or so DH had been getting these bug bites at night. Just him. I get a few, but not like he does. It's not every night, but when it happens it's anywhere from 1 to 4 or 5 bites. On the hands, back, chest or butt. Sporadic. I don't always get them, but usually 1 or 2.

First we thought bed bugs, but did an inspection of the mattress as well as vacuumed (both sides) mattress, changed/washed sheets and comforter. No change. I also did some research on bed bugs, and these do not seem to follow the common look or pattern (I read it's most often 3 bites or a cluster)

Any idea on what this is??????

ETA: The bites look like mosquito bites, and I think 1 or 2 times we got up in the middle of the night, turned the light on and saw/killed a 'squito.

Message edited 9/23/2007 11:18:33 PM.

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Fleas maybe? Do you have pets?

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Aren't flea bites deep red and small?

What do the bites look like, are they the same size and itchiness of a mosquito bite?

During the summer, I get hives/welts in basically the same areas you do but also on my waist. They start out small and if I'm not diligent about not scratching them, they can get pretty big. They itch for about 2 days and then they subside to a deep red bruise looking thing.

We have changed detergents to a non-dye, non-perfume and I thought it was helping for a while. I started washing my sheets more often too.

But in the end, the one thing that did the trick was air conditioning or having a fan on while we were sleeping. I think mine are heat-related mostly. I know it hasn't been hot lately but do you have a heavy blanket, or a mattress pad that traps heat?

I hope you stop itching soon.

Message edited 9/24/2007 7:44:50 AM.

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Do they look like mosquito bites? It could very well be mosquito bites. I've gotten bitten plenty of times and never saw the bug.

That would also explain why he's getting more than you. Put me in a mosquito-filled yard with any other number of people, they will ALL bite me and the other people will be safe. I don't know what it is about mosquitos, but they find certain people way tastier than others.

The only thing that doesn't add up is why it's happening every night... Are you sleeping with the windows open? Could you have a small hole in your screen?

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

I thought flea bites were little?

Spider bite? Maybe he is allergic and it is causing the spider bite to get infamed, happens to me, I am but bait. Do they itch? Benedryl makes a great stick now.

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

Okay, it doesn't happen every night, which lead me to say it's not bed bugs. Last night we did see a little mosquito flying around--but neither of us could get him. Our back door (which is fairly close to our room) doesn't latch, so they could come in that way, as well, our AC (which we have on EVERY night) does have a little gap. I want to take the AC out and seal up the windows, but DH likes to sleep in an ice box! so that won't happen for a while!

Thanks.

Oh, I checked my cat, he's not itching/scratching and I did not see signs of fleas on him.

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???

have either of you been in grassy or woodsy areas? Long Island is over run with Chiggers right now because we had such a wet summer. They are a type of mite that like human hosts & people often feel like they are getting bit at night.
My DH just had them a few weeks ago after he walked around one of his job sites in the hamptons with shorts on.
Search for chiggers online, you'll get tons of info.

Re: Okay, need some help re: bug bites???