Mystery "bites" - what course of action?

Havin_it

Hello,

Longtime newsletter reader, forum neophyte. This isn't the kind of post I thought I'd be making here, but I read a thread of similar nature here where good answers were given, and a lot of expenditure (from my POV) hangs in the balance so I guess it's germane.

My partner and I have lived in our rented top-floor tenement flat for over six years. About a month/six weeks ago ago, the flat below us changed hands, and the new occupant embarked on some extensive refurbishment, to wit: they've been knocking the sh*t out of it ever since.

Not long after they began, we started getting "bites": itchy lesions about 1-1.5cm across, all over our bodies but especially around our waists and upper legs. My partner got them first, and continues to get more than I do.

The symptoms seem a lot like those of bed bugs, but we've examined the room and washed all bedding and clothes at 60 degrees, and sprayed bicarb and teatree oil all over the shop, and we haven't found any physical evidence (they're supposed to be visible to the naked eye).

My partner now wonders if it might be a reaction to our fabric softener, which we changed around that time. I'm not convinced, especially as she's had such reactions before but I never have, but I'm not writing it off. (I also noticed that our washing-machine's soap drawer and its cavity are full of black scum, but this has happened before -- before we washed it off -- and never affected us like this.)

The flat has wood floors with plenty of fissures and gaps, so this could be a hiding place for BBs. Everything I've read suggests that they are well-nigh impossible to dislodge without serious time and money invested, which we don't have. It's affecting my partner's self-esteem very badly and I wonder if we should just move (an ordeal in itself; financially we have a very good deal with this flat).

It's possible the BBs' hiding place is out of sight and out of reach, but I find it hard to believe we've found no evidence despite combing all nooks and crannies including seams of bedding, clothes, furniture etc. What the hell is happening?

Whichever is the culprit, it will take some investment to cure. So I want to be sure we're barking up the right tree. Any advice in making the diagnosis would be very welcome.

NewShadow

Havin_it wrote: »

Not long after they began, we started getting "bites": itchy lesions about 1-1.5cm across, all over our bodies but especially around our waists and upper legs. My partner got them first, and continues to get more than I do.

Welcome.

I would recommend a chat with your local nurse or pharmacist.

Either should be able to tell you if they are bites or topical dermatitis, and may be able to identify the best course of action.

Definitely an idea to try before moving house!

meritaten

It doesn't sound like Bedbugs to me - you would more likely be getting bitten on the torso. Fleas however, will bite legs but not usually as high as the waist (unless you have particularly athletic ones).
I would see a nurse/practitioner or GP on this one - it needs investigating.

Btw, the old remedy to get rid of BB is to douse everything in Jeyes Fluid!

jackyann

I definitely agree that you should seek advice from nurse / GP / walk-in centre. Pharmacists are not, on the whole, very expert in "bites" (although some may be!)

other factors:
sometimes the reaction to bites is very individual. Some people get irritating bites whilst their immediate companions, certainly bitten by the same bug suffer a very minor reaction, or major swelling and feel ill!

meritaten's point is very valid: fleas & bed bugs sadly, do not go away after dousing with tea tree oil or bicarbonate (it's a bit like a polite request to the local !!!!!). The nurse will know how to treat you, your local Environmental Health Officer will know how to get rid of the bugs (and yes, you can still get Jeyes Fluid!)

I do find it odd that this started with renovation work - bugs don't usually wait to be dislodged - they can go almost anywhere!

Although traditionally fleas & bugs tended to "bite" certain parts of the body - it was really because of the type of clothing people wore, rather than a definite preference on the part of the bugs.

I do hope you can sort it out - this type of itchyness can be very dispiriting.

iammumtoone

flea eggs can lay dormant for years until vibrations disturb them, this can happen if someone moves in a previously unoccupied house, I am not sure they need the extent of building works to 'wake' them, people moving around would do the same thing.

I suggest putting out lots of shallow containers/dishes at least two in every room containing soapy water (a drop or two of washing up liquid in water would work) to see it you can catch any of the culprits.

Wear white socks (and trousers if you have any) when walking around the flat, if they are fleas you might notice some jumping onto you.

I would also contact the landlord as I am sure they don't want any infestation in their property they might help.

Good Luck

theoretica

If you can't see the bugs then I agree about seeking advice - treating for bed bugs will be wasted effort if it is really scabies mites or fleas, or not an insect at all!

Havin_it

Thanks for the replies - so quick and so many, this forum rocks

No names or pack-drill but addressing the points raised:

Seeing a doctor: Should have said, my GF already did so (including blood tests) but nothing could be determined from these. She has a lot of skin complaints as it is; I'm mostly free from such but we do share one (I forget the name but it's best characterised as "plucked-chicken skin"), although this is quite benign if slightly unsightly and we've both had it all our lives. She also reacts more severely to midge bites than I do.

I did wonder about fleas, as our (indoor) cat went to the vet overnight shortly before all this started. However those are supposed to be naked-eye visible as well. From what iammumtoone says above, though, it does seem a little closer to the pathology fitting the theory that downstairs's renovations have disturbed something. I'm afraid I wasn't buying my own clothes in the 80s so have no white socks, and didn't subscribe to the chinos thing in the 90s so no white trousers either (not that they would fit me now anyway lol). Nevertheless, I may try this. I don't see any change in the cat's behaviour though, so it seems doubtful.

I don't think it will be of great concern to our landlord until the day we say we want to move out; he's pretty tight-fisted and I'm always cautious about raising grievances in case they translate to a raising of the rent (we're on rolling tenancy right now but that's only due to his apathy - if things ever went nuclear he could have us out in a month and that's not a prospect we relish, put it that way).

@meritaten, we have torso bites too - most of my GF's are on lower torso (above the line of sleepwear but below line of her tights, hence suspicions of fabric-based allergens) but we both have a few bites on arms, shoulders etc too. I have one on the rim of my belly-button

What is Jeyes fluid? I know the brand, but only from the "Bloo" things you put in the toilet cistern. Is it cat-safe?

NewShadow

Havin_it wrote: »

However those are supposed to be naked-eye visible as well.

To build on an earlier suggestion try this overnight near where your cat sleeps:



Set a small desk lamp about 6 inches above a shallow dish of lightly soapy water. Adult fleas will be attracted to the warm light, and then fall into the soapy water and drown.

It should help you identify anything that's biting you.

Havin_it

Eek! Scabies mites? I'll now have to read up on those

It seems a long shot but I should also mention that our bedroom window is rotted to f*ck and there are some open gaps in the woodwork. Squirrels and bluetits have been interested in the exterior woodwork for about the same period (if not longer); is there anything that likes both wood and human blood?!

Lorian

Don't out Jays Fluid anywhere near your cat. Treat the Cat with proper flea treatment. And/or Comb it while sat on some white material.

Change the fabric softener (or omit), use a non-bio washing powder and wash the sheets on a hot wash again.

Search ebay and put some insect glue traps under the bed, and check them each morning. (you can get something like 5 for a few pounds)

And go to the doctor yourself.

iammumtoone

Havin_it wrote: »

I did wonder about fleas, as our (indoor) cat went to the vet overnight shortly before all this started. However those are supposed to be naked-eye visible as well. From what iammumtoone says above, though, it does seem a little closer to the pathology fitting the theory that downstairs's renovations have disturbed something. I'm afraid I wasn't buying my own clothes in the 80s so have no white socks, and didn't subscribe to the chinos thing in the 90s so no white trousers either (not that they would fit me now anyway lol). Nevertheless, I may try this. I don't see any change in the cat's behaviour though, so it seems doubtful.

:rotfl: about the socks and trousers.

It does sound like it could be fleas, they have to be quite bad before you see them, if you have sensitive skin you will notice bites before you spot the fleas with the naked eye.

Have you checked the cat? Look around its neck if it has fleas you will see flea droppings (little black specs) to test if it is a flea dropping or just dirt, put on a damp piece of tissue, flea dropping will turn red.

Fleas can be caught at night by the method I suggested with the soapy water, if you have any battery operated candles/tea lights, put these in the middle of the dish. Fleas will be attracted by the light and drown in the soapy water. Edit cross posted with above the light over the bowl will work just as well.