Skin Irritation! Help!

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like insect
bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They almost
look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or sometimes
in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon as I
start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell is
wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from say
mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Thanks in advance...

Without jpegs of your inflamed buttocks, it will be impossible for me
to make a misdiagnosis.

-----------
Proton Soup

"Thanks for noticing that I didn't actually say anything." - Mike Lane

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like insect
bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They almost
look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or sometimes
in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon as I
start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell is
wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from say
mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Thanks in advance...

Maybe you have fleas.

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like insect
bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They almost
look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or sometimes
in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon as I
start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell is
wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from say
mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Got any spiders in your house?
--

JMW
http://www.rustyiron.net

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem
like insect bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks,
and arms. They almost look like mosquito bites? The bites
come in singles, pairs or sometimes in a triangular bite
pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching.
As soon as I start scratching them my skin turns red in the
area. What the hell is wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin
irritation in the past, just from say mosquito bites or
something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I
can think of...Help please!

Funny how everyone thought of bug bites just because you said they look
like mosquito bites! I think that what you are experiencing is a simple
case of hives (uticaria) which comes in singles or patterns (weals) and
itch like crazy. You ruled out allergic contact dermatitis from your
detergent(how about soaps, lotions, shampoos too?) but more likely its
cause could be from eating new foods(shellfish, nuts, berries are some
examples)or a new medicication. So an allergy to something either thru
contact or ingested, which causes a release of histamines thru the skin
and the resulting itchy bumps.

Have a read thru these links and compare your symptoms:
http://www.allergyasthmaimm.com/library/hives.htm

And this one has a good picture which shows how they can look like a
reaction to mosquito bites: http://www.skinsite.com/info_urticaria.htm

<<joni>>

The Queen of Cans and Jars said:

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like insect
bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They almost
look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or sometimes
in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon as I
start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell is
wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from say
mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Thanks in advance...

Maybe you have fleas.

or crabs

--
spammage trappage: replace fishies_ with yahoo

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Usenet Posting said:

JMW said:

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like insect
bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They almost
look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or sometimes
in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they itch
like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon as I
start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell is
wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from say
mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed
all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Got any spiders in your house?

I was thinking spiders as well.

Fleas would generally bite on the lower legs as you walk across the
floor. Spiders will get ya as you sleep when they are crossing your
bed to get somewhere else. If you have a window right by your bed
consider closing it and spraying some long lasting bug spray around
it. Take apart your bed and vacuum the living [censored] out of it (as well
as everything else in your bedroom. Having a professional come in may
not be a bad idea (but do the vacuuming b4 they come as they will
probably put down powder you'll want to leave where they put it).

Someone mentioned hives as well and that is worth looking at if the
above do no good. But the fact that you wake up with them, to me,
suggests spider bites. The patterns happen when you roll over on one
and it bites/struggle/bites/struggle/bites etc.

The descriptions of the inflammation are also very similar to bites of
non-poisonous (relatively speaking) spiders. Spider bites usually get
more inflamed than moquito bites, even flea bites, and they tend to
turn from itchy to slightly ouchy. They also seem to last longer.

Naturally, I'm not talking about brown recluse bites, which result in
some of the most grotesque local tissue necrosis you've ever seen.
They can also cause central neurological damage.

--

JMW
http://www.rustyiron.net

"Dot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:grwRd.426732$Xk.235208@pd7tw3no...

Quoted message said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like
insect bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms.
They almost look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs
or sometimes in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them
until they itch like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the
scratching. As soon as I start scratching them my skin turns red in
the area. What the hell is wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin
irritation in the past, just from say mosquito bites or something.
I've changed laundry detergents, washed all my clothes with it, hot
washed my sheets, everything I can think of...Help please!

Thanks in advance...

Ask your doctor.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Steve Freides said:

Ask your doctor.

Yes pay him $big bucks$ to tell you he doesnt know what's causing it
and prescribe some overpriced cortisonetype medicine that doesnt work
rather than try a few changes to heal thyself. How impractical. Its a
skin rash, not a fracture or a heart attack. No wonder healthcare is so
damn expensive when everyone runs to the doctor over the simplest
things.

<<joni>>

"joni" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

Ask your doctor.

Yes pay him $big bucks$ to tell you he doesnt know what's causing it
and prescribe some overpriced cortisonetype medicine that doesnt work
rather than try a few changes to heal thyself. How impractical. Its a
skin rash, not a fracture or a heart attack. No wonder healthcare is
so
damn expensive when everyone runs to the doctor over the simplest
things.

Maybe you need a better doctor and/or better health insurance.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

joni said:

Steve Freides said:

Ask your doctor.

Yes pay him $big bucks$ to tell you he doesnt know what's causing it
and prescribe some overpriced cortisonetype medicine that doesnt work
rather than try a few changes to heal thyself. How impractical. Its a
skin rash, not a fracture or a heart attack. No wonder healthcare is so
damn expensive when everyone runs to the doctor over the simplest
things.

First of all, you don't know what it is that she has. Over the
internet, you decided to diagnose urticaria, despite the fact that the
inflammation she describes is localized and acute, unlike the broader
spread of hives. She also noted the washing of her clothes and sheets
in what I presume to be her regular detergent, thereby reducing the
likelihood of an allergic reaction. Yet you seem confident that she
need not consult a physician.

Maybe she doesn't need to see a doctor, even if it is only flea or
spider bites, but do you want to bear the responsibility for that?
What if it was a brown recluse bite? Those don't start out looking
too bad, but after a couple days, when they get horribly inflamed, the
tissue necrosis has already begun, and there's already a potential for
central neurological damage. I saw this happen to a friend who
thought he should just ignore the "bug bites" on his hip and thigh.

If someone doesn't feel like spending the money to see a physician
over something that looks like simple insect bites, that's his or her
decision, but for you to imply that they are stupid for considering it
is purely and simply [censored].

--

JMW
http://www.rustyiron.net

JMW said:

First of all, you don't know what it is that she has.

Neither do you nor anyone else who *suggested* bug bites. We are
replying in general to a request by the OP.

Quoted message said:

you decided to diagnose urticaria, despite the fact that the
inflammation she describes is localized and acute, unlike the
broader spread of hives.

No, the OP said and I quote, "For the past month or so I've been
getting what almost seem like insect bites on my hands, waist line,
thighs, buttocks, and arms." That doesnt sound *localized* to me.

Quoted message said:

She also noted the washing of her clothes and sheets
in what I presume to be her regular detergent, thereby
reducing the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

She never mentioned if it was her usual detergent, so you are
presuming. I suggested her lotions/shampoos and soaps could be suspect
along with her detergent/softner. And more likely something she has
been eating.

Quoted message said:

Yet you seem confident that she need not consult a physician.

Did she mention having wheezing, palpitations, toxic shock, seizures,
or some other life threatening occurance? No, it was just 'bothering
her' because it itches. Buy some calamine lotion and or antihistamines!
BFD! Seeing doctors on such trivial stuff is why we pay so much for
health insurance. I do insurance billing for an 'urgentcare' facility
and you wouldnt believe what people think is an emergency.

Quoted message said:

Maybe she doesn't need to see a doctor, even if it is only
flea or spider bites, but do you want to bear the
responsibility for that?

C'mon now, its ADVISE, people can take it or leave it, there's no
responsibility involved in advising what it could be, does WebMD need
liability insurance now? They asked, I answered. Big deal.

Quoted message said:

What if it was a brown recluse bite? Those don't start out
looking too bad, but after a couple days, when they get
horribly inflamed, the tissue necrosis has already begun, and
there's already a potential for central neurological damage.
I saw this happen to a friend who thought he should just
ignore the "bug bites" on his hip and thigh.

Oh what alot of BS! Now who is diagnosing? Oh sorry you are just
advising right? She stated they had been on several places on her body
(not localized)- I think she would be dead by now if it were spider
bites! And she never mentioned pain or severe inflamation, just that
they itched like crazy. I've seen spider bites and they look NOTHING
like a mosquito bite (as the OP said her RASH looked like).

Quoted message said:

decision, but for you to imply that they are stupid for
considering it is purely and simply [censored].

Yes, in general. I think its stupid/naive/uneducated/what ever you want
to call it, to go to a doctor when you can treat it yourself. Yes I
think its a stupid waste of the doctors time when they could be
evaluating and helping those truely in need of their expertise. Yes its
stupid to pay for your overpriced office visit (or ask your health
insurance to pay it for you which in turn drives up costs for
everyone), and in the case of skin dermatitis/rashes, you get an
halfass guess or an 'I dont know, but here's some crappy high priced
prescription cream to put on it till it goes away by itself' kind of
diagnosis to justify the cost of the office visit. I go to doctors only
for necessary reasons like preventative exams, true emergencies (like
when I broke my ankle) or when I know I need a prescription. Thats all.
And yes I am fortunate to have full medical coverage. Millions of
Americans dont because its too costly because of people who see a
doctor everytime they break out in an itchy rash or blow their nose.

<<joni>>

Hmm.

If it's an outside skin infection, your doctor should check it.
Otherwise it may be the problem I had some time ago: Not enough
vitamins in my diet. There's a lot of food that will provide the right
nutrients to keep your skin healthy. Do a research. I know that a
watermelon is good for skin problems. You may also check others here:
http://www.bodytweaking.com/Body/Health/Healthy-Living.html

It won't solve the problem in one day. But 10-14 days and you're top
fit again!

Good luck!

joni said:

JMW said:

First of all, you don't know what it is that she has.

Neither do you nor anyone else who *suggested* bug bites.
We are replying in general to a request by the OP.

Quoted message said:

you decided to diagnose urticaria, despite the fact that the
inflammation she describes is localized and acute, unlike
the broader spread of hives.

No, the OP said and I quote, "For the past month or so I've
been getting what almost seem like insect bites on my hands,
waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms." That doesnt sound
*localized* to me.

The individual area of inflammation were described as being
like mosquito bites. That is localized. The fact that there
are multiple areas does not change that. Are you able to
comprehend that difference, joni?

Urticaria tends to be splotchy and spread out, and it doesn't
look anything like mosquito bites. Would you to see some
photographs? Here is a Google image search for urticaria:

http://images.google.com/images?q=urticaria&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&sa=N&tab=wi
(http://tinyurl.com/5qujj)

Here is a Google image search for insect bites:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=insect+bite&btnG=Search
(http://tinyurl.com/44a3e)

Can you see the difference, joni? And do you notice how
some of the larger bites are still "localized" but show
multiple bite points? Is any of this getting through
to you?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

She also noted the washing of her clothes and sheets
in what I presume to be her regular detergent, thereby
reducing the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

She never mentioned if it was her usual detergent, so you
are presuming. I suggested her lotions/shampoos and soaps
could be suspect along with her detergent/softner. And more
likely something she has been eating.

If it was urticaria, yes. See images above.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yet you seem confident that she need not consult a
physician.

Did she mention having wheezing, palpitations, toxic shock,
seizures, or some other life threatening occurance? No, it
was just 'bothering her' because it itches. Buy some calamine
lotion and or antihistamines! BFD! Seeing doctors on such
trivial stuff is why we pay so much for
health insurance.

For you, joni, that may be a good plan. Wait until you have
something that is clearly life-threatening. In your case, it
may be good for the gene pool, too.

Quoted message said:

The individual area of inflammation were described as being
like mosquito bites. That is localized. The fact that there
are multiple areas does not change that. Are you able to
comprehend that difference, joni?

Don't talk down at me about comprehension when you just contradicted
yourself by using 'localized' and 'mutiple' when talking about her
symptoms, it cannot be both. If something is 'localized' it is ONLY in
one area, limited, confined to the specific, not found in multiple
areas as the OP initially stated her symptoms were.

Quoted message said:

Urticaria tends to be splotchy and spread out, and it doesn't
look anything like mosquito bites. Would you to see some
photographs?

Guess you didnt take a look at the pic I linked to, it certainly looked
like mosquito bites after you itch the heck out of them. Your pic
links, altho of course the nastiest you could possibly find, only
reinforce my suggestion that the OP has some form of contact dermatitis
or uticaria, certainly not a spider bite (necrosis w/black center
etc)and probably not any types of fleas or parasites if she cant see
any on her bed linens, clothes or skin. Again, totally treatable with
over the counter antihistamines, calamine or oatmeal lotions with no
need to bog up your doctors time.

Quoted message said:

In your case, it may be good for the gene pool, too.

"The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard",
certainly applies to you in more ways than one.

<<joni>>

"joni" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The individual area of inflammation were described as being
like mosquito bites. That is localized. The fact that there
are multiple areas does not change that. Are you able to
comprehend that difference, joni?

Don't talk down at me about comprehension when you just contradicted
yourself by using 'localized' and 'mutiple' when talking about her
symptoms, it cannot be both. If something is 'localized' it is ONLY in
one area, limited, confined to the specific, not found in multiple
areas as the OP initially stated her symptoms were.

Actually, no. "Localized" can be used as opposed to "systemic', so, a
symptom localized to the skin could be widespread, in multiple areas.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Urticaria tends to be splotchy and spread out, and it doesn't
look anything like mosquito bites. Would you to see some
photographs?

Guess you didnt take a look at the pic I linked to, it certainly looked
like mosquito bites after you itch the heck out of them. Your pic
links, altho of course the nastiest you could possibly find, only
reinforce my suggestion that the OP has some form of contact dermatitis
or uticaria, certainly not a spider bite (necrosis w/black center
etc)

Actually, no. "Necrosis w/black center" describes one manisfestation of
certain spider bites, but the majority of spiders are minimally venomous,
and can cause the symptoms described, although other causes are equally or
more likely.

Quoted message said:

and probably not any types of fleas or parasites if she cant see
any on her bed linens, clothes or skin.

Actually, no. Many skin parasites are microscopic. Mites, for example. And
are one of the possible causes of the OP's symptoms.

Quoted message said:

Again, totally treatable with
over the counter antihistamines, calamine or oatmeal lotions with no
need to bog up your doctors time.

Actually...you're probably correct here. Congrats!

<<David>>

joni said:

Date: 19 Feb 2005 19:22:05 -0800
From: joni <[email hidden]>
Newsgroups: misc.fitness.weights
Subject: Re: Skin Irritation! Help!

Quoted message said:

The individual area of inflammation were described as being
like mosquito bites. That is localized. The fact that there
are multiple areas does not change that. Are you able to
comprehend that difference, joni?

Don't talk down at me about comprehension when you just contradicted
yourself by using 'localized' and 'mutiple' when talking about her
symptoms, it cannot be both. If something is 'localized' it is ONLY in
one area, limited, confined to the specific, not found in multiple
areas as the OP initially stated her symptoms were.

No, "localized" wrt skin eruptions doesn't mean only in one place. It
means as opposed to "systemic". For example, if I use a new brand of
shaving cream and then break out in a rash in the areas it was applied to,
that's a localized reaction. It doesn't matter that it's both legs and
both underarms; it's localized because it's limited to the areas it was
applied to. OTOH if I ingest something I'm allergic to and then break out
in hives, that's a systemic reaction.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Urticaria tends to be splotchy and spread out, and it doesn't
look anything like mosquito bites. Would you to see some
photographs?

Guess you didnt take a look at the pic I linked to, it certainly looked
like mosquito bites after you itch the heck out of them.

Hives generally don't look like mosquito bites, although they sometimes
can. But I don't think they ever come in singles or doubles, or even
triples.

Quoted message said:

Your pic
links, altho of course the nastiest you could possibly find, only
reinforce my suggestion that the OP has some form of contact dermatitis
or uticaria, certainly not a spider bite (necrosis w/black center
etc)and probably not any types of fleas or parasites if she cant see
any on her bed linens, clothes or skin.

Depending on both the exact type of spider and the individual's reaction,
spider bites can indeed look very much like mosquito bites. As for
parasites, there are many that are microscopic or damn near, and there are
also some that aren't microscopic, but manage to get away before you can
see them. Fleas and spiders, in fact, have a tendency to do exactly that.
Bedbugs are also very hard to find.

Quoted message said:

Again, totally treatable with
over the counter antihistamines, calamine or oatmeal lotions with no
need to bog up your doctors time.

It depends. I would certainly try OTC antihistamines (including H2
blockers, my Zyrtec/Zantac stack has worked wonders) first, but I've had
rashes that required treatment with corticosteroids.

geek_girl wrote

Quoted message said:

Bedbugs are also very hard to find.

I'm surprised to see only one mention of bedbugs in this whole
discussion. They are on the rise in the western world once again.
They are very hard to find and very difficult to eradicate, since they
crawl out of the bed during the day and hole themselves up in walls,
floorboards, etc. They also can live a hell of a long time without a
blood meal, which makes it even harder to get rid of them.

Several articles have been written about bedbug infestations in some
very chi-chi hotels in NYC and other places recently. I believe they
can travel in clothing too, which explains how they got there in the
first place. Don't rule them out.

A good professional exterminator with bedbug experience can find
whether or not there's evidence of bedbugs.

Also, the fact that the bites are around the waist may point to
bedbugs. Here is a quote I found: "Bedbugs bite the host most commonly
around the waist while in bed, sleeping. However, bites may occur on
exposed skin such as arms and legs. "

It came from this page about the critters:

http://www.bugclinic.com/bedbug.htm

Read more of the page, and you can see that they hide in small spaces.
Even your clock radios and telephones are not safe.

Dot said:

For the past month or so I've been getting what almost seem like

insect

Quoted message said:

bites on my hands, waist line, thighs, buttocks, and arms. They

almost

Quoted message said:

look like mosquito bites? The bites come in singles, pairs or

sometimes

Quoted message said:

in a triangular bite pattern. I wont really notice them until they

itch

Quoted message said:

like a son of [censored] and they flare up from the scratching. As soon

as I

Quoted message said:

start scratching them my skin turns red in the area. What the hell

is

Quoted message said:

wrong with me? I've NEVER had skin irritation in the past, just from

say

Quoted message said:

mosquito bites or something. I've changed laundry detergents, washed

Quoted message said:

all my clothes with it, hot washed my sheets, everything I can think
of...Help please!

Thanks in advance...

Pets ?? Fleas ???