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View Full Version : Shingles or Bed Bug Bites


1nco
Jul 17, 2012, 09:24 PM
I have 7 red bite like marks over my left shoulder and shoulder blade.
I had chicken pox as a child.
The apartment complex I've moved into turns out to have had a bed bug infestation dating back at least 2 years and I had to have my unit treated just over a month ago (once per week for 3 weeks ending 2 weeks ago).
I did find bugs prior to the treatment, and bites, but they were lower on my arms and usually one to three.
These current "bites" were first noticed after I started feeling like I had a sunburn on my left shoulder (which I couldn't have had) and I noticed separate red blotches but not yet bumps; also 2 longer strip mark (same red color of blotches) making me think it was just from my backpack straps (strip marks have since disappeared).
By 3 days all flat blotches had become bumps, most w a slight pimple like point, and the area still burning like a severe radiating sunburn - which I'm noticing more and more. Day 4, more like oval or welp-shaped bumps - still burning.
I've found the same images online of both shingles and bedbugs - I did actually comment on a burning (like acid) stomach ache last week, and was so tired I could barely function, which I've read might be a precursor to shingles... although at the time I thought it was just stress for having to pay to live in a place with recurrent bed bug and roach infestations.

Can anyone tell me if these are bed bugs again - 2 weeks after final treatment - or shingles? I would simply visit my doctor if I'd not just had my annual, and out of pocket since I have no insurance through my job... and my doctor couldn't do anything if it did turn out to be resilient complex bedbugs (frankly I'm hoping it is shingles - at least that I can see an end date to).
Thanks

Wondergirl
Jul 17, 2012, 09:33 PM
I've had shingles, so it might be that. Your best way to find out is by going to a doctor who will give you meds to alleviate the pain and shorten the length of time if it's shingles.

lefthookpunch
Mar 5, 2013, 07:57 PM
Well after said 3 days it became bumps so there's an active bacteria going around that part of skin. Bed bug bites can also be cured with home remedies (http://www.thebugsquad.com/bed-bugs/bed-bug-bites). Try to buy some Antihistamine cream (Benadryl is a good one). You can likely get this from any over-the-counter drugstores. Calamine cream can protect dry skin while you body repairs itself. You can also apply some tree oil. Peppermint oil is great to reduce itchiness. Baking soda paste with a mix of a substantial amount of water applied to the bed bug bite marks provides great results as long as you let it linger awhile for 30 minutes. And now my favorite, Lemon juice and aloe vera :) Lemon juice to remove bacteria and aloe vera to speed up healing process. Cool eh?