Bug bites? Updated

angelsnight

The last couple weeks I've been getting what look like mosquito bites all over my legs.  I currently have about 10 "bites" just on my left leg.  They are about the size of a dime, red and itchy.  But it's a little early for mosquitos and I haven't been outside all that much.

I was worried it could be bed bugs, but I looked all over our mattress (around the seams) and I don't see anything, and my husband doesn't have any.  Our cats are indoor so I don't think they could be from fleas.  My SIL suggested it could be some kind of dermatitis, related to the fun postpartum crap...I've never heard of anything like that, but then again anything is possible I suppose.  I'm seeing my PCP next week so I'll have her check them out, but I thought I would see if anyone has any suggestions.  They're so itchy and driving me crazy!  I'm 8 weeks PP by the way.

Update: In case anyone was curious, I have fleas!  I was feeding LO tonight and saw one on my foot so I captured it.  Google informed me that they appear to be fleas based on the appearance and the fact that it was hopping around.  My one cat went to the vet last week and I asked if they saw any evidence of fleas and they said no...I'd be surprised if one cat has them and not the other.  But they're both indoor cats, so I'm thinking one road home on me, maybe from my SILs (they have two dogs and I know the one has fleas quite often).  Maybe they just haven't made their way to the cats yet for some reason.  It kinda makes sense that MH doesn't have any bites...when my dog when I was a kid got fleas my dad and I got bit up all the time but never my mom or brother.  We must taste sweeter.  Off to the pet store tomorrow for some flea stuff....glad to have finally cracked the mystery.

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angelsnight

snow527 said:

Are you taking any new meds or supplements? It would be strange for it to only be in one area but I've seen stranger things! FX that it goes away.

Just Zoloft, but I was on it last year before getting pregnant and never had this before. 

VanessaBee

I got reactive eczema pp. It looked more rash-like than what you're describing, but my dermatologist said that all kinds of skin craziness can happen pp. FX that you figure out what it is and it resolved quickly!

jwls84

You would know if it was bed bugs, they bite in clusters and you would have reddish-brown marks on your sheets. I have killed a few Mosquitos here and it snowed on Wednesday so anything is possible. But maybe it is hives? That sucks, I hope they can tell you what it is and clear it up soon

angelsnight

mssm2012 said:

Is it possibly related to shaving? Dull razor blade? Ingrown hairs or irritated bumps? Contaminated wax?

Definitely not shaving, they're round, raised and red and itchy and look exactly like mosquito bites.  But I seriously haven't been outside more than just to walk to the car, from the car to a store, etc.  Haven't gone for a walk in weeks but even when I did I had pants on.  I know I didn't get ten bites on my leg through jeans walking around the block, lol. 

My stepmom thinks they're flea bites.  Like I said, our cats our indoor cats and we've had them for 12 years and never had a problem.  Though I was at my SILs a few weeks ago and I know they're dog had fleas last summer, so maybe one hitched a ride home with me. 

angelsnight

jwls84 said:

You would know if it was bed bugs, they bite in clusters and you would have reddish-brown marks on your sheets. I have killed a few Mosquitos here and it snowed on Wednesday so anything is possible. But maybe it is hives? That sucks, I hope they can tell you what it is and clear it up soon

Good to know about the bedbugs, the bites don't seem to be in clusters so I'm glad we can maybe rule that out.

MeggsM

Sounds like bed bugs. Our bites were th clusters as small as three bites to as much as a largish rash. Do they itch when you have a hot shower ? And an uncontrollable itch that doesn't go away? Probably bed bugs. We mistook them for Mosquitos too.

We had them for a month until we saw a bug. And you won't see anything in your sheets until it's an infestation.

Witch hazel helps with the bites. Call your landlord and get it dealt with ASAP. Sorry:( they suck but can be dealt with.

angelsnight

MeggsM said:

Sounds like bed bugs. Our bites were th clusters as small as three bites to as much as a largish rash. Do they itch when you have a hot shower ? And an uncontrollable itch that doesn't go away? Probably bed bugs. We mistook them for Mosquitos too. We had them for a month until we saw a bug. And you won't see anything in your sheets until it's an infestation. Witch hazel helps with the bites. Call your landlord and get it dealt with ASAP. Sorry:( they suck but can be dealt with.

The shower doesn't really make them itch, and they don't itch all the time, I can go several hours without them itching.  But if my pantleg brushes up against one or something it will make them itch until I can get the willpower to stop scratching for a few minutes.  It's so odd that they are only on my legs, and only my left leg for that matter.  I have like 1 or 2 on my right leg, but 10 or so on my left. 

No landlord, we own.  I see my PCP this week, I'll have her check them out.