BED BUGS - I´M GOING MAD

[astonjd]

Can anyone help? Three red bumps appeared in Carrion de los Condes - hospitalera said mosquitos. As did the one at Terradillos and Bercianos. More itchy red bumps. Much insect repellant and anti histamine bought. At Astorga the man said "cinchas" and my next stop at Rabanal put everything on an Agent Orange wash.

Still itch. Any advice please? I´m on the point of packing it in, after starting at SJPDP and only 150 miles to go.

I´m dreading another night´s not sleeping. HEELP

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Don´t go mad, and don´t quit! Take a deep breath, and an antihistimine. Sit down with a glass of vino.
Now, tell yourself:
I have a few bug bites. They are not massively swollen or seeping bodily fluids, they are not infected or infectious. I have not contracted a terrible disease.
Insects have bitten me.
I do not know for sure what kind of insect bit me -- it could be mosquitos, could be a spider or a flea or a tick or even a bedbug. I have taken proper precautions. My things have been thoroughly washed.
No one thinks I am Typhoid Mary. I am not spreading disease.
I am not sick. I am not dying. There is not a good reason for me to quit now.
This irrational fear and loathing is costing me way too much anxiety. I cannot let this ruin my camino.
I am going to stop worrying now, and enjoy the rest of my walk.
A bug might bite me again, but I will get over it. It is only a bug bite.
I am a pilgrim. There are insects out here. They are part of the pilgrimage, just as I am.
And so I am going to sleep now, and tomorrow I will walk, and I will continue walking until I reach my goal.
Finish the vino, brush your teeth, and settle into your über-clean, bug-free sleeping bag and rest well... tomorrow you have a long walk to do!

 

[scikowski]

I have had bug bites here at home that drive me crazy because of the itch, and it can truly keep me awake. Some things that help: Try benadryl (diphenhydramine) as your antihistamine at bedtime, as it makes you drowsy. Try ice to the itchy spots. Use an anesthetic cream (like the ones made for hemorrhoids) on the bites. Keep up the cortisone cream. It will get better. And going home will not make the itching go away!

 

[grayland]

Rebekah...
I know this is serious to the OP...but I am still laughing at your excellent post.
It is a classic!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hello,
I'm so osorry that you're suffering.

I have sent you a private message with details on how to deal with the issue.

STOP... take a day and do these things and you'll be better soon.

Hugs!
Anni

 

[Susanna1954]

Thank you Rebekkah for your post. That is how it is....

 

[astonjd]

Thank you all, for your help. Turns out it was not bedbugs after all but a flea. Just one.

Several hospitaleros had said, rightly as it turned out, that it was not bedbugs. And I had seen no other evidence eg dots. Some said mosquitos, another said "could it be fleas?", another said bedbugs. Two farmacias said mosquitos.

The problem was I am clearly highly sensitive to the anti-coagulant the little beggars use, so each night it bit me, the earlier bites would all flare up again. I really was going spare.

Anyway, a patient friend caught the critter and now all is well. But it does show that you need accurate advice. Two separate hot wash/dry sessions did not cure the problem.

Amyway, all well now and just over 100 miles to go, thanks again

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Bed bugs may have been absolved in this particular crime, but don't drop your vigilance. They are out there, and you seem to react badly to insect bites. Many pilgrims temporarily adopt dogs and cats along the way, and fleas can be the end result. Bed bugs stay inside (except for hitchhiking in your equipment), while fleas will travel in your socks, clothes, and hair, but probably not your equipment. They are once reason for the near universal ban on dogs in lodgings.

 

[David]

I was going to answer this thread then read Rebekah's comment. Brilliant, perfect, utterly perfect.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I was going to answer this thread

It is hard to resist, isn't it!!

 

[grilly]

Yes, Rebekah's post is great fun. Maybe not as much for some as for those who don't get bitten.
Something in me draws bugs. I remember one morning in Castrojeriz waking up with my face all swollen up by several bites. I mean, my eyes had nearly disappeared. I'm not sure what bites me, mosquitoes, bedbugs, spiders. i could not say. But if I am in a room, you can relax, because all the bugs will come to me and leave you in peace.
So, I do feel for astonjd.
I forget that I get bitten, until I get bitten again... Mind you it has not stopped me yet from going back.
I hope astonjd that by now you have solved your bite problem and made friends with the bugs.
Otherwise,
May all the bugs in the room where you stay decide to choose someone else from now on.
claire

 

[David]

HHmm, not pleasant .. but - there is a positive spin to this! You could rent yourself out as a camino companion, only duty being to sleep in the same refugios .... this could work!

(p.s. 'they' say that those with a hotter skin with high sugar content get bitten more - true? No idea at all, sorry )