am absolutely COVERED in bites, head to toe - anyone ever had this? What's going on?

[bohemianbint]

Last night I came out in an itchy rash on my jawline and neck.

By the time I woke up this morning I had what look like insect bites all over my body, concentrated on my left thigh, oddly. It's absolutely killing me, I want to flay my skin off, and have spent half an hour in a stupidly hot bath trying to get some relief.

We had fleas until we got the house nuked a few weeks ago so am wondering if they have freakishly survived, but I dunno why they would suddenly go mental overnight and attack me. No one else in the house is affected. I googled and read something about rat mites and now I really want to rip my skin off, or move house. I'd rather it was fleas.

It's weird though - I'm assuming it isn't hives or anything like that? Has anyone ever had anything like this? It's grim!

I'm just a freak, aren't I...

go to pharmacist and get some anti-histamines

could be anything but hot bath would make it WORSE wouldn't it?

have you been gardening?

rolling in nettles?

Piriton?

Has that area been exposed in the sun?

anti-histamines

Nope, no sun, no gardening - it all seemed to kick off overnight in bed. And I'm breastfeeding so will that scupper the antihistamines?

Am terrified it might be these damn rat things, although I guess that's what you get when you google sypmtoms.

Well I was going to say midgey bites. They can bite in swarms and you don't notice until later. They are worse in the evening and there are lots of them about atm. They lead to a very very itchy red rash with lots of little bumps all over it.

I wondered about midges, but I've not been outside, and they're everywhere! It's bloody unpleasant, and I need to look half decent in a wedding dress in just over a week. Nowt like a scabby, scratchy bride, is there...

take an antihistamine asap. afair is ok with bf and will help you look human by next week too.

ive been bitten up to 40-odd times in one night... hellish. but yours sounds like it could be something else. get thee to a doc.

Google images for insect bites and see if you can find something similar to explain yours.
Google allergic rashes too.

How exactly did they nuke the fleas? Anything chemical by any chance?

I had something similar a few years ago, nearly lost my mind, I tried everything obvious. It was worst at night. Someone suggested changing the washing powder and that was it.

Apparently they sometimes change the formulations, so even though you are using the same one as usual, a new ingredient could cause the irritation. Might be worth a try.

Rhubarb - yup, chemicals, but it was 3 weeks ago now...Off for a google to see what I can find.

i hate to say it but bed bugs??

The old non-drowsy piriton is fine to take when pregnant so i would imagine ok when bf too therefore.

Why do the buggery things only bite me?!!

You should see the state of me, have put on tights and long sleeved top under pyjamas to try and deter anything that wants to gnaw me. I look gorgeous, not at all mental.

Morning - Dr says I've had an allergic reaction to being bitten, probably by the fleas again. The little swines are hardcore. Have just started blitzing the house and will probably have to get someone back in to spray - again. Is there any way of catching a flea so I can confirm that it definitely is them returning?

Poor you, get a white plate with some warm water on add 1 drop of wash up liquid, put it on the floor in the room you were bitten with a lamp over the plate (bendy desk lamp if you have one), you will see dead fleas on plate if indeed they are back.

Excellent, will try that, thanks Gums.

I just really hope this hellish rash goes by next Saturday or I'm going to look hideous.