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Here's to Your Health:  Help! Bug bites of some description!  |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 03:39:06 AM
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Hi all! Yesterday our family went blueberry picking. I wore a pair of long capris for the picking. Between where my capris ended and my socks started, I have a TON of bug bites, that go in a circle around each leg. They itch something awful this morning and are swollen. I would normally look at them and say misquito bites, but the fact that they go in a circle around my legs makes me think they are not, not to mention I do not have any on my arms or anything that was also uncovered.... And no one else has any either. Thoughts? Suggestions?
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 04:45:45 AM
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Oh, Shannon! You poor thing!
The first thing that comes to mind is that it could be chigger bites. I read a long time ago that they are often found in berries, but more so in raspberry plants. Then I was thinking how the bites are only on the skin that wasn't covered, and that nobody else has it... I'm wondering if maybe instead it's a topical rash that is blistering? You may have been in contact with a poisonous or other type of plant that you are allergic to. In either case, I would start treating it with calamine lotion and maybe some sort of otc or natural antihistamine. Maybe it would be best to call your physician's office first, though, and speak to the nurse to see what she thinks.
Finally, and I don't want to scare you or overreact, but, MRSA is found everywhere outdoors, especially in soil and at farms. It has been quite a concern in our areas for years. I myself had it a few years ago, and my doctor at the time kept insisting it was a nasty case of flea bites. One simple test proved him wrong. It took a long while to get rid of it, believe me. Sheer misery. And it's highly contagious, so if it's even a remote possibility, you want to seen the doctor right away, ok?
I hope you get some relief soon. I will definitely pray for you!
Hugs,
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jun 19 2014 04:49:18 AM |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 04:56:24 AM
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Yikes! Chiggers was the first thing that came to mind for me as well, but I don't know much about it... guess I'll be doing some research!!!
As for MRSA - I've heard that coconut oil is great for it. Anyone have any experience?
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 05:51:04 AM
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Oh Shannon, my daughter had MRSA and it is really bad stuff. She worked in a vet clinic and got it there. If it is even a remote possibility that it might be MRSA, go to your doctor now! It is very resistant to antibiotics and needs to be treated quickly.
I am more inclined to think that it is a plant allergy, as it is in a circle. Topical Benedryl should help with the itching and I have used an oatmeal bath when I get to itchy. (I am extremely allergic to Mosquitos)
Sending farmgirl hugs that things get better quickly.
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #1682
My Blog
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Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 05:51:15 AM
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They actually gave me some sort of ointment to put in my nose to get rid of the MRSA, which was on my ankles and torso! It was the craziest thing, and it took forever to get rid of it. I actually thought my doctor was nuts for not doing more, but eventually it went away. If you've read coconut oil is good, I'd give it a try, but I'd still be concerned because MRSA is highly, highly contagious and hard to get rid of...and you can get so sick from it, Shannon. We don't even use bath towels more than once anymore because the doctor told us not to - MRSA lives in them, too!!! It's insidious stuff. Having said that, though, isn't coconut oil just the most amazing stuff?! I love it!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 06:22:10 AM
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Yikes!!!! Chiggers were my first thought as well. now I'm leaning more towards you touch something your skin disagree with plant life. I'm not sure about MRSA. I don't know anything about it. Perhaps you could try some coconut oil maybe mix in a little tea tree and lavender oil with it?
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
http://themostlycrunchyfarmgirl.wordpress.com
www.simplyaroma.com/aliciawinkler 100% certified therapeutic grade essential oils
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 06:51:59 AM
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Since this is so "exciting" in a weird sense of the word (I love finding herbal and/or natural remedies that work!), I figured I would share what I am trying and if it works. If it is MRSA, I'd rather try to find a natural way to fix it, only because if it is already resistant to methicillin, a super strong antibiotic, it worries me to treat it with other antibiotics, because it can mutate and become resistant to those as well. With that said, if it appears to truly be an infection, I will certainly see the doctor - we already have an appointment set up for my daughter next week, anyways. (For those that do not know, MRSA stands for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, which basically means it is a bacteria that is resistant to a strong antibiotic). I find the towel thing interesting, and we will now be washing towels everyday :)
I am more inclined to think they are chiggers or an allergic reaction to something. So far we are treating with basil. Yup - you read that right. Apparently basil poultices are great for itching sensations from insect bites. Though chiggers are an arthropod, so not an insect, I'm trying it nonetheless. Between the poultice and working on tomatoes, I am not dying to scratch right now ;) I will probably be trying something different though after I feed the baby in about half an hour or so. I will keep you updated :) Oh - and for anyone curious, I ground up some fresh basil with my mortar and pestle and put the leaves on the bites and covered it with ace bandages to keep it there :)
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 11:42:52 AM
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Yes! And please keep us posted! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 3:12:25 PM
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Tried coconut oil with lavender, peppermint and thieves essential oils. It worked for a little while, but now I am ready to dig into them again :/ As soon as I am done feeding Aly, I'm going to try a calendula poultice. My heart it itches!!!!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2014 : 12:46:18 PM
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Shannon, by now I hope the bug bites are gone! My husband had chigger bites all over his body early this year! OMGoodness, it took weeks to get rid of those bites. Hope you are feeling better.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2014 : 3:02:03 PM
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One more vote for chiggers. This is their high season, too. I had an attack of the little horrors a couple of years ago and wound up having to go to a dermatologist for some prescription-strength steroid cream to deal with the itching. I might even have gotten a shot, too, I don't remember. What I *do* remember and will never forget is how miserable it was. My heart goes out to you!
That dermatologist I went to said whenever you're out amongst grasses or other vegetation, cover up your feet and legs totally (tuck pants into socks, wear real shoes or even muck boots or Wellies), and wash down right afterward, clothes straight into the laundry. That helps you avoid deer ticks, poison ivy, chiggers and other biting bugs. She also recommends using an insect repellent spray but only on your clothing, not your skin. I don't know about that. Any kind of pesticide scares me. There are herbal alternatives. i love the ground basil treatment. I'll mention that to my husband, who is suffering from a Mystery Bite right now that nothing seems to be helping.
Blessings!
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Here's to Your Health: Help! Bug bites of some description! |
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Help! Bug bites of some description!
