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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask what has bitten me?

67 replies

SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:46

Second night in a static van. There are hundreds of mosquitoes around but I’ve been sleeping under a duvet, surely they wouldn’t have bitten my knees? Confused

Not itchy at all.

I also have bites on my face but they’re not so obvious. A few on my hands. DH doesn’t appear to have anything much, one DC’s cheeks are covered in red spots like a sprinkling of freckles.

What are they?

to ask what has bitten me?
OP posts:
Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:47

Closer view. They’re not itchy at all.

to ask what has bitten me?
OP posts:
maZebraltov · 27/08/2018 09:47

I wonder about dermititis of some kind. Esp. since not itchy. Did you bring all sheets & duvets from home?

Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:51

Nope, everything is from the van.

I’ve never had any type of dermatitis before so it seems unlikely to me.

We’ve not stayed in this van before but stayed in the house on this small family-run property so I’d be surprised if it was washing detergent sensitivity or similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:52

Oh, it’s my own pillow and pillowcase. Everything else was here already.

OP posts:
JennyOnAPlate · 27/08/2018 09:53

Bed bugs?

maZebraltov · 27/08/2018 09:55

Ah.. coz could even be something like a detergent perfume on the sheets that caused a skin reaction. I don't have asthma but I've had the very occasional coughing fit (very asthma like) in response to something smelly that usually doesn't make me cough, or had my skin suddenly dry out insanely (eczema like) after a flight. Bodies can do weird things they never did before.

maZebraltov · 27/08/2018 09:56

bed bugs, fleas, body lice: all itch a lot, don't they? And why would her DH escape?

Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:58

Bodies can do weird things they never did before.

That is certainly true, middle age brings new surprises every week!

I really think they’re bites though.

OP posts:
Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 10:00

I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m arguing with you mazeb, I appreciate your input: bed bug and flea bites don’t itch though I don’t think, unless you’re allergic?

OP posts:
DianaTheHuntress · 27/08/2018 10:05

I think most people itch when they get bitten by bed bugs... That’s what google says at least, so it must be true Grin! I don’t know about fleas. I have been bitten by fleas before and they did itch, but not as bad as a mosquito bite. Could be that? When I got bitten, someone said it was because a dog with fleas had been staying in the house but had then left leaving a few fleas behind. While the dog was there, the fleas weren’t bothered about humans as they prefer dog or something... so we only started getting bitten after the dog left. Could it be that?

DianaTheHuntress · 27/08/2018 10:06

I hope it isn’t bed bugs btw. Horrible little feckers they sound!

Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 10:09

The (lovely) owner apologised about the mosquitoes, there’s been a plague here because of the weather. She said that the people who stayed here last week had had spots all over their faces. But the knee thing has got me worried.

I’ve had mosquito bites before and have never known them not to be itchy!

OP posts:
NormaNameChange · 27/08/2018 10:17

Did you go walking yesterday? Could it have been midges? Doesn't look like bed bugs to me, but long grass, warm then damp weather...could be a midge or 20?

Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 10:25

Glad to hear that it doesn’t look like bed bugs to you, I have no experience of them and am more than a bit worried!

We’re in the countryside but I had long trousers (skinny jeans) on all day yesterday. Bare ankles but they are untouched. We walked a lot but not in any long grass, mostly in the village.

OP posts:
longwayoff · 27/08/2018 10:29

Looks like fleas

LoisCommonDenominator84 · 27/08/2018 10:34

They look most like flea bites but it’s odd they’re not itchy. Do they go white when you press on them? If yes it could be hives.

Onthebrink87 · 27/08/2018 11:04

I could rip through to bone with mosquito bites so would agree it's unlikely what they are! I will throw in something though and I'm likely super wrong but you never know... do you shave your legs? Only if I use a cheaper razor with less than 4 blades, or a razor that's not very sharp (I'm a sensitive soul and useless at replacing razors) my legs look exactly like this and don't itch either?

Onthebrink87 · 27/08/2018 11:04

I also only get them sort of knees and up!

BlueSky198080 · 27/08/2018 11:09

Did you shave your legs possibly the day before yesterday? When i do and the hair is growing back and if I wear skinny jeans, my legs go like this. Even if it was a new razor.
Clutching at straws here.....

HotSauceCommittee · 27/08/2018 11:11

IT was crabs migrating South.

maZebraltov · 27/08/2018 11:12

Mozzie bites used to not itch me but they do now, only very recently.
Flea and just about any other microbeast bite makes me itch & swell. Feckers. I've heard people with hayfever say they can get hives like OP's just from grass seed exposure.

Talith · 27/08/2018 11:13

My vote is midges. Bitey little fuckers and for me they don't puff up and itch as much as mosquitoes. This humid weather is perfect for them.

Onthebrink87 · 27/08/2018 11:14

And excuse the multiple posts! But we are avid campers and we ran a minor ailments scheme (when I worked as a pharmacy tech) so have had and seen lots of bites, i appreciate everyone reacts differently to insect bites bit ime I have never seen any bites that look like this and aren't itchy! If it is from a razor it might be reassuring to know this is as bad as it will get and will clear up without any treatments

maZebraltov · 27/08/2018 11:16

If from a razor why also on your daughter's face?

Original poster
SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 11:18

Did you shave your legs possibly the day before yesterday?

Very good suggestion but I don’t shave! (You can see in the pics if you look closely Grin)

If it was crabs migrating south then they’ve also visited my elbows HmmGrin

I’m really really hoping it’s fleas. As long as it’s not bed bugs I don’t care. I’ve seen bites on the palm of my hand so I’m thinking fleas... but some spots are looking more ‘welt-like’ now which I’ve never seen with flea bites.

Son has tiny red spots all over his eyelids today and DD has a few bites on her cheek. DH unscathed Confused

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