Bites South Korea

[UncleJack]

My daughter has called me after finding a load of bites over both bum cheeks. She was at the world scout jamboree camping but has been in a hotel, sleeping on the floor for the last two days.

The bites are not itchy or sore. I’m trying to work out if they’re mosquito bites, seems odd they would bite her just on the bum, which she’s always had in shorts and nothing on her legs that have been exposed.

I’ll attach a zoomed in picture of the bites, it’s not very clear but hoping someone can help. She’s too embarrassed to ask a leader.

These are the some of the bites

can she access some piriton?

Yes she’s been taking anti histamine since she arrived

She needs to talk to a female leader. The leader won't need to look at her bum, but will get her medical attention.

Personally, I think if they are not itchy or sore, I would just leave it. I can't imagine what medical care could be given if they aren't itchy/sore/bleeding/infected, or if she isn't having other symptoms of illness. Bed bugs are awful, but very itchy. Mosquito or flea bites, would also be itchy. It's possible it could be some sort of skin infection, but usually they will come with symptoms of some sort. It's also possible it could be a stress reaction - if she's not had an easy time there, eating odd things, sleeping in weird places.

When is she expected home? If she isn't keen to show a female leader, I think it would be even more stressful to see a doctor. I'd be inclined to see what happens over the next few days and take her to see someone if they are still there when she is home, if she is otherwise well.

Could be mosquitoes or other biting insect. Perhaps from the reported bad toilet facilities?

Most likely no treatment required though bug bite cream wouldn't hurt, I'm sure the leaders will be carrying some and she can self apply, then see your gp on return if they don't look like they are healing/other symptoms. (Do mention to your dr where she's been if you have to take her in the U.K.)

I've certainly had similar bites myself in South Asia and didn't cause long term effects, just itchy (unlike the bite from Alaska that is still a lump 20 years on!)

Bed bugs aren't always itchy - 5 of us had them here, only 2 of us had itchy bites, the rest were bitten but didn't itch.

I would guess bed bugs especially if in clusters.

If there's any suspicion it may be them then FGS don't bring her luggage into the house. Keep it outside and wash anything straight away at 60 degrees + and then hot tumble it to dry it too. We had them brought home from a school trip and took over a year and 4 new beds to eradicate.

I hope she's OK, sounds like a complete nightmare.

Another vote for bed bugs.
She could look on bedding for specks of blood to aid diagnosis.
Isolate all items that she comes home with, as they are the devil's own job to get rid of.

She really needs to talk to a female leader.
They can't help her unless they know she has a problem. She will have been on lots of camps over the last year and should know the leaders fairly well, for precisely this reason! They need to be comfortable approaching them whilst they are away.
My son is there now and if he had contacted me with the same issue my reply would be 'suck up the embarrassment and see your leader asap'

Thanks for your messages. She’s going to leave it for a day and see if it improves, if not she’ll go to the leader.

She’s not sleeping on a bed, she’s in a sleeping bag on a roll mat on the floor so was hoping it wouldn’t be bed bugs but thank you, I will follow precautions when she gets home, I wouldn’t have thought of that.

Her sleeping bag is a dark colour so you wouldn’t see blood spots.

Did wonder if it happened at camp and she just didn’t notice as they’re not itchy.