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Looking To Get Thoughts On Current Situation. My Family Went
Question: Looking to get thoughts on current situation. My family went camping for 2 nights. Yesterday I began noticing lots of itchy bites. Smaller than mosquito and in clusters... inner thigh, hip, inner arm, hairline... later in the day I noticed a couple of lone spots... one above my eye, one mid chest.
Went to bed last night in my normal bed, new blankets, after showering and woke up with clusters on my neck, down my side and my eye is swollen at the inner corner and itchy. I also have a raised more diffuse rash now on my left breast and towards the center of my chest.
We slept on a brand new air mattress with old blankets that we had in storage in our attic while camping.
Both of my kids were also in that bed with me and only my youngest has a couple bites at her hairline... which may be mosquito bites.
My thoughts were red bugs or "chiggers" "grass mites" but I have showered multiple times and am not using anything from camping. Bed bugs seems strange to have popped up if I was on a brand new air mattress in a brand new tent with blankets that haven't had human contact in years...
Went to bed last night in my normal bed, new blankets, after showering and woke up with clusters on my neck, down my side and my eye is swollen at the inner corner and itchy. I also have a raised more diffuse rash now on my left breast and towards the center of my chest.
We slept on a brand new air mattress with old blankets that we had in storage in our attic while camping.
Both of my kids were also in that bed with me and only my youngest has a couple bites at her hairline... which may be mosquito bites.
My thoughts were red bugs or "chiggers" "grass mites" but I have showered multiple times and am not using anything from camping. Bed bugs seems strange to have popped up if I was on a brand new air mattress in a brand new tent with blankets that haven't had human contact in years...
Brief Answer:
Insect bites or an allergic reaction can be the cause- details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded images.
There are two main diagnoses to consider in your case. One is insect bites and the other is an allergic reaction.
There are areas in the picture that the redness is more spread and not just in the form of small papules which may go mostly with an allergic reaction. You may also have a combination of both insect bites and allergic reactions.
In both cases, the basic treatment is to avoid the cause and use of antihistamines such as Benadryl and Loratadine (be cautious when you drive as these may cause you to be drowsy).
A steroid cream (betamethasone for instance) can be applied thin layer twice a day on the areas that are very itchy.
When it comes to avoiding the cause, this may be very challenging both in the case of insects if these are bed bugs and also in the case of an allergic reaction.
Bed bugs can survive only a few months in linen and bedding so if you have not been using these blankets in years is unlikely these are bed bugs. Other insects may be considered, especially due to camping.
To conclude:
- an allergic reaction or insect bites are the most likely causes of your rash
- both can be treated with avoidance of the cause, oral antihistamines and local steroid cream on most itchy areas (do not apply in large areas)
- if the blankets were not used for years it is unlikely you got bed bugs from them as they do not survive more than a few months in bedding (without feeding)
- other insects can be blamed as well but a good check of the bedding can give an idea if there are insects present or not (check for insects and their feces on the bedding)
-I would recommend you to check your bedding for insects, take the treatment that I explained above and if you are not better in a week or you notice any worsening it is best to see your doctor.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Insect bites or an allergic reaction can be the cause- details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded images.
There are two main diagnoses to consider in your case. One is insect bites and the other is an allergic reaction.
There are areas in the picture that the redness is more spread and not just in the form of small papules which may go mostly with an allergic reaction. You may also have a combination of both insect bites and allergic reactions.
In both cases, the basic treatment is to avoid the cause and use of antihistamines such as Benadryl and Loratadine (be cautious when you drive as these may cause you to be drowsy).
A steroid cream (betamethasone for instance) can be applied thin layer twice a day on the areas that are very itchy.
When it comes to avoiding the cause, this may be very challenging both in the case of insects if these are bed bugs and also in the case of an allergic reaction.
Bed bugs can survive only a few months in linen and bedding so if you have not been using these blankets in years is unlikely these are bed bugs. Other insects may be considered, especially due to camping.
To conclude:
- an allergic reaction or insect bites are the most likely causes of your rash
- both can be treated with avoidance of the cause, oral antihistamines and local steroid cream on most itchy areas (do not apply in large areas)
- if the blankets were not used for years it is unlikely you got bed bugs from them as they do not survive more than a few months in bedding (without feeding)
- other insects can be blamed as well but a good check of the bedding can give an idea if there are insects present or not (check for insects and their feces on the bedding)
-I would recommend you to check your bedding for insects, take the treatment that I explained above and if you are not better in a week or you notice any worsening it is best to see your doctor.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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