Ask Me Help Desk - Invisible Bugs

FACTS: 25yr old female clean freak, I live in jersey in a 4 family building, top floor 3 bedroom no carpets/ terrace door.

I currently live with 3 other roommates. I had a friend who move in after he got evicted from his apartment. It was a fast move just throwing things in boxes. About 2 weeks later my boyfriend complained about feeling bites at night and we freaked out and automatically thought it was bed bugs.

I started to feel like something was crawling on me and then occasionally I would feel a bite/sting.

For some reason around the same time we had an upsurge in mice. I have only seen one in my house before in all 4-5 years of being here, this time we trapped about 7 and then invested in a wall mount device that keeps them away , since then we have yet to see them or any remains.

When I told my friend what was up he was like “no no it has to be bird mites from your two parakeets”. I asked other friends who told me for sure it was bed bugs. But honestly I turned my room upside down looking for something that would be a clue as to what we are dealing with. I have an ikea spring mattress that is probably about 5 years old. I checked everything! I did not see anything I could say was a bed bug. Nothing around the edges of the mattress, nothing in the cracks of the frame. Its been 30 days or more I would think I would see something at this point. I mean later we found a few spider beetles around that we thought were ticks at first, but harmless.

I called an exterminator to come and inspect the house and give an assessment of what he thought. Though he could not tell me what was wrong, he said that it would cost roughly any where from 500 to 900 to deal with bed bugs and 500 for everything else. That was super frustrating to have someone basically tell you “yea I don’t know what I am treating but hey give me your whole paycheck and we will see what happens”.

I took my two lovely birds to a vet that had a bird specialist, $57 each for the check up, we asked if they had bird mites, the woman was unable to tell us whether our birds were infected but took them to the back and gave them each a $40 shot each.

So much for the professionals.

I started to freak out more, I threw a lot of stuff that felt like clutter away , I bought these organic cleaners and tried to do it a natural way. I scrubbed everything with a lavender cleaner and would spray my bed with a eucalyptus water. This worked for about 3-4 days and then whatever the feeling was came back.

I have done so much research on the internet: resulting in thinking its bed bugs, fleas, dust mites, no see ums , bird mites, termites, oooffff scabies, springtails, parasites and my personal favorite Formica from pre menopausal syndrome.

I mean if just my hormones are freaking out I might have to let my boyfriend know that he as well is pre menopausal.

Currently I bought a new bed, that I have not taken out of the plastic nor have I put it down I am afraid it will just happen all over again, I have a very serious bug killer in my possession, and I am going to the doctor to see if my hormones are freaking out and if I am imagining all this stuff.

As of recently I poured hydrogen peroxide on my rash on my two arms and RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES BLACK SPECK THAT WERE NOT THERE BEFORE POPPED UP. I freaked out and washed them away when I should be documenting this. I showed my boyfriend, and he had a bit of a break down because he said he “just wants me to be ok”, because all I do is freak out. But Im not freaking out cause its fun, I want to find out what this is so it can stop. ASAP.

Some symptoms that may or may not be related
• We had baby mice for about a week/ animals do hide in the cracks of the house and next door
• I feel like there is something crawling on me
• I can not see it
• Occasionally I feel a bite/sting mainly in my leg/ foot region (my feet are bit callous)
• No visible lesions
• It seems to happen mostly at night but not limited to
• Seems to happen even more when it is hot and or humid
• I have developed a “heat rash” only on my arm (itchy at times)
• OMG I put hydrogen peroxide on my “heat rash” and black specks popped up (didn’t look like the following speck)
• I have no idea if this is related or not I have seen black shiny speck that are paper thin around my body, clothes, floors few times as well as on my house mates body.
• I have not had a goodnights sleep in a month and soon will not be able to coherently speak or solve this matter.

So far what I have been doing (in order)
• Broke down my bed frame
• Salted my bed
• Bagged clothes and bedding/ washed
• Used a flea, bed bug, dust might killer
• Cleaned up/ washed down
• (1 week later)
• Used a fogger once in my room
• Cleaned like crazy with hot water and organic sprays
• Constantly spray with eucalyptus and lavender oil (lavender helped with some of the crawling sensation)
• Vacuumed

Since, I have had a crash course in the circle of life and yet no answers. I realize that some of it may just be normal and some these sensations could be the effect of something. I am a firm believer in trusting ones instincts, my body is telling me something is wrong with me or my environment.

As my Nana would say “if its not one damn, thing its another”

HELP!

Firstly, the exterminator you called needs to be reported to the State. There are criminal penalties for selling unjustified treatments in many states.

Secondly, you mentioned that the irritation is worse during humid spells. That and the black specks that appeared from the rash under peroxide leads me to think you might be suffering from a fungal infection. You might try a little Tinactin on an irritated arm or leg to see if it helps. I like the spray powder. The many people affected at the same time (plus/minus) makes me think fungus as well.

I spoke to someone who said that the fugal infection could be from scratching the rash. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catsmine

Firstly, the exterminator you called needs to be reported to the State. There are criminal penalties for selling unjustified treatments in many states.

Secondly, you mentioned that the irritation is worse during humid spells. That and the black specks that appeared from the rash under peroxide leads me to think you might be suffering from a fungal infection. You might try a little Tinactin on an irritated arm or leg to see if it helps. I like the spray powder. The many people affected at the same time (plus/minus) makes me think fungus as well.

It could also be causing it.

Check the bags that you have stored things in, I have noticed some kind of oxidation going on but have no chemical reason for this yet black bin liner bags are covered in tiny spots (which I thought were dust or spores) but it is actually where the bag is breaking down from oxidation, fungus, bacteria, gas, cleaning products and yeast infection can all cause oxidation effects as well as toxic mould but as the authorities are fully aware, plastic bags take years to break down so maybe this will alert them to step in and find the cause, hope the info helps. I posted a notice on yeast facts in "maybe it isnt a bug" topic that you might find helpful

So two of you said that this could be a fungal infection. Which may explain the things appearing on my arm. But does that explain crawling, nipping, stinging on my legs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanitisation

check the bags that you have stored things in, i have noticed some kind of oxidation going on but have no chemical reason for this yet black bin liner bags are covered in tiny spots (which i thought were dust or spores) but it is actually where the bag is breaking down from oxidation, fungus, bacteria, gas, cleaning products and yeast infection can all cause oxidation effects as well as toxic mould but as the authorities are fully aware, plastic bags take years to break down so maybe this will alert them to step in and find the cause, hope the info helps. I posted a notice on yeast facts in "maybe it isnt a bug" topic that you might find helpfull

Quote:

Originally Posted by UrbanAndra

so two of you said that this could be a fungal infection. which may explain the things appearing on my arm. but does that explain crawling, nipping, stinging on my legs?

Possibly. Another possibility might be environmental. Air currents, Static electricity(which could also contribute to skin irritation), or the rash spreading could also be part of it.

Rash is not spreading but flares up every so often usually after going outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catsmine

Possibly. Another possibility might be environmental. Air currents, Static electricity(which could also contribute to skin irritation), or the rash spreading could also be part of it.

See if the anti-fungal on the arm does anything, so we can confirm or eliminate that as a cause.

This could all be something very natural and we may be of just noticed these things but due to sudden health issues i.e. respiration problems, bites, rashes and more serious cases such as mmarsha's I think its best to find out but try not to create panic which I am trying to avoid as it only causes more stress and irrational thinking and mental health will become an issue eventually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanitisation

this could all be something very natural and we may be of just noticed these things but due to sudden health issues ie, respiration problems, bites, rashes and more serious cases such as mmarsha's I think its best to find out but try not to create panic which I am trying to avoid as it only causes more stress and irrational thinking and mental health will become an issue eventually.

You seem a little exercised with this post. How does this comment help UrbanAndra answer her question?

Urbanandra, if you can wade through the latin, this website has a lot of information on human fungal infections.

Fungal Infections of the Skin and Skin structures

I have the same thing. I live in Australia and just returned from Vietnam where I got bed bugs. The crawling of my skin, I thought it was just a reaction to the bed bugs but after returning after 2 weeks, I still have the sensation. It is on my legs and also on my torso and arms. Not all the time but I feel it and more so at night - maybe because I am still.

I also have shiny specs on my clothes - saw them after the bed bugs so I thought it might have been scabies or something form the bed bugs but that didn't work either. I have been to a travel doctor and medical doctor and I think they think I am crazy.

Sometimes I feel them in my hair as well.

I don't do drugs and am healthy so I don't know what it is.

Please help as its driving me mad.

Debbie.

Catsmine,

Thank you very much for your post. I do moisturise but probably not as much as I should so I will start to do that but it doesn't explain the shiny flecks on the inside of my clothes - which I believe is making the crawling sensation. I am not itchy as such, just the annoying crawling feeling that makes me itch, I can't be sure that the flecks are the things crawling as when I look at one for a while, it doesn't seem to move, its just so weird as these flecks are on my lounge as well when I put my hand on it and lift it off, they are over my hand - silver flecks.

It only seems to happen after my bed bugs - well I think they were bed bugs as I got a rash all down my back and I don't know what else they would have been.

If I take one of my tops to someone to show them - who would it be? A pest person or a endomologist.

Thanks for your help.

Debbie.

Try a Mycologist. This sounds a lot like a fungal infection. Viet Nam has some strange fungi.

Is there another name for a Mycologist? I live in Australia and I just searched for one in Sydney and nothing come up.

Would dermotologist be the same?

Would also the fungi be the specks on my clothes or is that just a coincedence.

Thanks.

Debbie.

You probably looked for physicians. A mycologist studies molds and fungi. Check the university's biology dept.

Yes, the shiny specks are what make it sound like a fungus. They're the equivalent of the cap on a mushroom (if what you have is indeed fungal).

A Dermatologist would be the best place to look for a way to get rid of it.

Deb my heart goes out to you. I know this experience can be extremely frustrating. I spent a ridiculous amount of money and time trying to figure out what I had.
And I am extremely proud to say I DO NOT FEEL THE SENSATION ANYMORE! Thank you all who replied and the universe for having some mercy on me.

These are my only 3 conclusions.

1. My partner cleaned our room under direct supervision of an industrial hygienist (aka my father) with a solution called Microban QGC. Which he was able to obtain because he is a licensed professional. I DO NOT recommend any one using this without a professional if not diluted properly can be extremely harmful.

Microban® QGC is the one-step disinfectant cleaner proven to combat a broad spectrum of bacteria. This product is offers virucidal (including HIV-1, the AIDS virus and MRSA) and fungicidal protection as well as inhibiting the growth of mold and mildew.

We sprayed the edges of the room with a machine that is designed to both spray and mist.

2. The next thing I did that I believe aided in ceasing the sensation was Hydrogen Peroxide (food grade 3%).
“As of recently I poured hydrogen peroxide on my rash on my two arms and RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES BLACK SPECK THAT WERE NOT THERE BEFORE POPPED UP. I freaked out and washed them away when I should be documenting this.”

----Search your body for possible rashes or infections that could have a fungal infection. Consult a doctor if you can before using pouring peroxide on any infected area.

since i have done so a few times i have not felt the sensation or crawling.

3. I got a new bed in case mold (or anything else) was growing inside.

With that my father recently went to a conference where the woman opening the panel discussion explained that they (engineers and biologists) know very little about what’s out there. I went to a doctor who wasn’t able to explain what was happening. The internet is full of INSANE amounts of information. You have to truly wade through all the information out there. I don’t know if living with a lot of people or tight spaces may have anything to do with it as well. But observe your environment, see if there is a root or cause.

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon a website where a man documented using peroxide for something he was going through, that I got the notion to pour peroxide on what I thought was a simple heat rash. It so hard to sometimes understand what someone is going through and he seemed to have a server and reoccurring case. I do believe that the peroxide helped me in my case.

Mold and fungus happens it’s a natural part of our existence. However I only want to share what I have done and my results that may or may not help you.

Also Google Industrial Hygienist in Australia plenty of schools and companies showed up. Maybe speak to a professor or someone that maybe knowledgeable about mycology or keeping our habitats safe and clean.

My father had no straightforward answers but at least pointed me in a direction.

I only hope that any of this information that I or others can be of assistance in your matter do keep me updated with your status. BEST OF LUCK!!!

PS. CATSMINE…. YOU ROCK!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbiew_74

Catsmine,

Thank you very much for your post. I do moisturise but probably not as much as I should so I will start to do that but it doesn't explain the shiny flecks on the inside of my clothes - which I believe is making the crawling sensation. I am not itchy as such, just the annoying crawling feeling that makes me itch, I can't be sure that the flecks are the things crawling as when I look at one for a while, it doesn't seem to move, its just so weird as these flecks are on my lounge as well when I put my hand on it and lift it off, they are over my hand - silver flecks.

It only seems to happen after my bed bugs - well I think they were bed bugs as I got a rash all down my back and I don't know what else they would have been.

If I take one of my tops to someone to show them - who would it be? A pest person or a endomologist.

Thanks for your help.

Debbie.

Hi,

Thanks for all the information that you have sent me - its been a great insight. However, you speak about remedies for the home but I had this before I returned home from Vietnam so its something I believe I picked up there and is still happening.

I have only been back 2 weeks so its not like I picked it up from home and my place is very clean with no mould etc.

Also, I do not have any rashes. I received a rash when I got bitten but after a couple of weeks it subsided, still had the crawling sensation but by the time I got home it was gone - but the sensation stayed.

Therefore, I don't believe it has anything to do with my bedding but something I picked up from what I believed where bed bugs but cannot confirm since I didn't see them and I wasn't really familiar with bed bugs before.

I guess my question would be if I got a parasite or fungi from the bed bugs and that is why I still have the sensation but I cannot see anything, only the silver type flecks on my clothing and that is the clothing that I took over to Vietnam.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it.

Debbie.