The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

bob(from black rock) said:

The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

you should ask here before scratching that itch.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

you should ask here before scratching that itch.

Now you tell me.

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

you should ask here before scratching that itch.

Now you tell me.

it was only because you mentioned it.

Check the seams of your mattress, stat.

Bob, probably Bed Bugs. Something that was thought to be a thing of the past in first world countries, but they are making a comeback – big time. I read an article about 3 years ago about how prevalent they are becoming in hotels across the USA. From the hotels they spread, via people luggage, to places far and wide.

sibeen said:

Bob, probably Bed Bugs. Something that was thought to be a thing of the past in first world countries, but they are making a comeback – big time. I read an article about 3 years ago about how prevalent they are becoming in hotels across the USA. From the hotels they spread, via people luggage, to places far and wide.

Yep.. I remember back in the 70’s we enlisted a council worker to dump some cyanide bombs in the house just up the stairs from Tamarama Beach..

sibeen said:

Bob, probably Bed Bugs. Something that was thought to be a thing of the past in first world countries, but they are making a comeback – big time. I read an article about 3 years ago about how prevalent they are becoming in hotels across the USA. From the hotels they spread, via people luggage, to places far and wide.

viva la resistance!

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0016336

a = e

sexism?

poikilotherm said:

Check the seams of your mattress, stat.

poikilotherm, thankyou, did that, but found nothing, but did swamp the area with insecticide, how big would the little buggers be?

bob(from black rock) said:

poikilotherm said:

Check the seams of your mattress, stat.

poikilotherm, thankyou, did that, but found nothing, but did swamp the area with insecticide, how big would the little buggers be?

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-bedbugs

Slide 2.

Small. ~5mm

bob(from black rock) said:

poikilotherm said:

Check the seams of your mattress, stat.

poikilotherm, thankyou, did that, but found nothing, but did swamp the area with insecticide, how big would the little buggers be?

As I said.. the only sure way.. is to fumigate the house entire.. ie: GTF out of there for at least one day..

nippers and darters maybe?

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

poikilotherm said:

Check the seams of your mattress, stat.

poikilotherm, thankyou, did that, but found nothing, but did swamp the area with insecticide, how big would the little buggers be?

As I said.. the only sure way.. is to fumigate the house entire.. ie: GTF out of there for at least one day..

Thankyou, looks like that maybe what I have to do, ta.

In warmer weather, I get bitten by midgies: little flying bugs that make me itch like crazy. Only a plug-in citronella oil thingy keeps them away.

Divine Angel said:

In warmer weather, I get bitten by midgies: little flying bugs that make me itch like crazy. Only a plug-in citronella oil thingy keeps them away.

D A thanks, where do you get these thingys? hardware store?

Yeah, but also supermarkets and places like Kmart etc. From memory, I bought mine from Big W. Turn them off during the day to save on replacements every couple of weeks. But using them was the only relief I got last summer.

Divine Angel said:

Yeah, but also supermarkets and places like Kmart etc. From memory, I bought mine from Big W. Turn them off during the day to save on replacements every couple of weeks. But using them was the only relief I got last summer.

D A thanks, off to get one now, ta.

Bob, I doubt a citronella doveywhatsit will do anything if you have bed bugs.

sibeen said:

Bob, I doubt a citronella doveywhatsit will do anything if you have bed bugs.

sibeen, thanks, but I think I will give it a try.

Bob, if it is bed bugs you do not need to bomb the house unless you have a ‘huge’ infestation..

Having worked as a Manager in the backpacker industry up here in the tropics I can assure you I know bed bugs, little buggers..

Sibeen is correct they are transported via luggages, shoes etc. Bed bugs bites tend to be in a concentrated row and yes very itchy.

What is your bed made from? Is it wooden or an ensemble?

If it is an ensemble yes check the seams very carefully they can be very small and the eggs are even smaller, like nit eggs. If you want treat your ensemble (just in case) borrow a steamer that will get them. Heat kills them, we would put our pillows and mattresses into large black plastic bags and put them in the hot sun for several hours.

If you bed is wooden, take it apart and spray with a strong surface spray.

I do have to go out now but if you have any other questions re these little bitey buggers just ask.. Oh and they have a slight strawberry smell, well that was my interpretation of the smell but I only picked that up after many infestations. To be honest with the temp that Melbourne has been over winter I doubt it will be bed bugs.

:)

Spider Lily said:

Bob, if it is bed bugs you do not need to bomb the house unless you have a ‘huge’ infestation..

Having worked as a Manager in the backpacker industry up here in the tropics I can assure you I know bed bugs, little buggers..

Sibeen is correct they are transported via luggages, shoes etc. Bed bugs bites tend to be in a concentrated row and yes very itchy.

What is your bed made from? Is it wooden or an ensemble?

If it is an ensemble yes check the seams very carefully they can be very small and the eggs are even smaller, like nit eggs. If you want treat your ensemble (just in case) borrow a steamer that will get them. Heat kills them, we would put our pillows and mattresses into large black plastic bags and put them in the hot sun for several hours.

If you bed is wooden, take it apart and spray with a strong surface spray.

I do have to go out now but if you have any other questions re these little bitey buggers just ask.. Oh and they have a slight strawberry smell, well that was my interpretation of the smell but I only picked that up after many infestations. To be honest with the temp that Melbourne has been over winter I doubt it will be bed bugs.

:)

the house we were in, needed bombing because all beds had the same problem.

Spider Lily said:

Bob, if it is bed bugs you do not need to bomb the house unless you have a ‘huge’ infestation..

Having worked as a Manager in the backpacker industry up here in the tropics I can assure you I know bed bugs, little buggers..

Sibeen is correct they are transported via luggages, shoes etc. Bed bugs bites tend to be in a concentrated row and yes very itchy.

What is your bed made from? Is it wooden or an ensemble?

If it is an ensemble yes check the seams very carefully they can be very small and the eggs are even smaller, like nit eggs. If you want treat your ensemble (just in case) borrow a steamer that will get them. Heat kills them, we would put our pillows and mattresses into large black plastic bags and put them in the hot sun for several hours.

If you bed is wooden, take it apart and spray with a strong surface spray.

I do have to go out now but if you have any other questions re these little bitey buggers just ask.. Oh and they have a slight strawberry smell, well that was my interpretation of the smell but I only picked that up after many infestations. To be honest with the temp that Melbourne has been over winter I doubt it will be bed bugs.

:)

Spider Lily,
Thankyou, if it isn’t Bed Bugs what else might it be? and would the erradication process be similar?

bob(from black rock) said:

Spider Lily said:

Bob, if it is bed bugs you do not need to bomb the house unless you have a ‘huge’ infestation..

Having worked as a Manager in the backpacker industry up here in the tropics I can assure you I know bed bugs, little buggers..

Sibeen is correct they are transported via luggages, shoes etc. Bed bugs bites tend to be in a concentrated row and yes very itchy.

What is your bed made from? Is it wooden or an ensemble?

If it is an ensemble yes check the seams very carefully they can be very small and the eggs are even smaller, like nit eggs. If you want treat your ensemble (just in case) borrow a steamer that will get them. Heat kills them, we would put our pillows and mattresses into large black plastic bags and put them in the hot sun for several hours.

If you bed is wooden, take it apart and spray with a strong surface spray.

I do have to go out now but if you have any other questions re these little bitey buggers just ask.. Oh and they have a slight strawberry smell, well that was my interpretation of the smell but I only picked that up after many infestations. To be honest with the temp that Melbourne has been over winter I doubt it will be bed bugs.

:)

Spider Lily,
Thankyou, if it isn’t Bed Bugs what else might it be? and would the erradication process be similar?

Steaming the mattress, base and pillows is good and washing all linen in hot water. But maybe see if you get any further bites tonight before going to all that effort, it may be just a lone mozzie having an opportunistic feed :)

I have another possibility. You might have had a spider going on walkabout in the bed with you. Could be a very little one. And you possibly moved and annoyed it while sleeping. That would be my first thought for this time of year. I have dismembered a huntsman on my pillow in my sleep…..was not a nice thing to find the next morning. I guess I was lucky it didn’t bite my face.

buffy said:

I have another possibility. You might have had a spider going on walkabout in the bed with you. Could be a very little one. And you possibly moved and annoyed it while sleeping. That would be my first thought for this time of year. I have dismembered a huntsman on my pillow in my sleep…..was not a nice thing to find the next morning. I guess I was lucky it didn’t bite my face.

!!!

No, I don’t have a picture……for which you can be truly thankful!

:)

buffy said:

No, I don’t have a picture……for which you can be truly thankful!

:)

Oh, I certainly am!

buffy said:

I have another possibility. You might have had a spider going on walkabout in the bed with you. Could be a very little one. And you possibly moved and annoyed it while sleeping. That would be my first thought for this time of year. I have dismembered a huntsman on my pillow in my sleep…..was not a nice thing to find the next morning. I guess I was lucky it didn’t bite my face.

That would not be something that I would enjoy waking up to Buffy, I don’t imagine you would have either shudder

I have been bitten by the dreaded bed bugs but I think the grossest thing was squashed cockroach… eeeewwww

I have a friend who runs a chalet business and who got a bed bug infestation. Despite enormous effort, it proved extremely difficult to get rid of the little bugs. They have evolved resistance to most insecticides, do heavy bombing does not necessarily work.

There are some stories of carbon dioxide traps, but I don’t know how effective they really are.

They do hide away in all sorts of seams, as mentioned. Bed covers, curtains, anything.

Good luck if that is what they are Bob.

Oh, and I won’t be coming over in September as planned. ;-)

so can we say goodnight to bob and don’t let the bed bugs bite?

or is that cruel?

;-)

They may not be bed bugs yet..

>>or is that cruel?

No I think that’s fine Boris, go for it.

thanks PWM. i not good at intrapersonal relationships and never know if stuff i say is being taken the right way. it’s nice having a true friend around to help me “fit in”.

>>They may not be bed bugs yet..

We could pretend they’re bed bugs for the sake of Boris’ joke, have good hearty laugh when he posts it and then tomorrow go back to trying to work out what’s eating Bob.

i reckoned they were nippers and darters. i seem to be alone in that.

http://www2b.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn/archives/archive81/newposts/1176/topic1176240.shtm

I just hope that Bob doesn’t get the figurative and literal meanings mixed up when someone tells him to bomb his bedroom.

Boris said:

i reckoned they were nippers and darters. i seem to be alone in that.

Could be, no signs of bed bugs apparently…

Boris said:

i reckoned they were nippers and darters. i seem to be alone in that.

Not the dart?

Probably just a pea under the mattress.

roughbarked said:

Probably just a pea under the mattress.

Better than a pee on the mattress.

Can bed bugs burrow under your skin? As my skin is very itchy would it be a good idea to wipe the itchy areas with a metho soaked rag?

bob(from black rock) said:

Can bed bugs burrow under your skin? As my skin is very itchy would it be a good idea to wipe the itchy areas with a metho soaked rag?

probably always preferable to scratching at the itch.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Can bed bugs burrow under your skin? As my skin is very itchy would it be a good idea to wipe the itchy areas with a metho soaked rag?

probably always preferable to scratching at the itch.

roughbarked, thankyou, would it encourage the little buggers to burrow deeper into the skin or would it kill them?

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Can bed bugs burrow under your skin? As my skin is very itchy would it be a good idea to wipe the itchy areas with a metho soaked rag?

probably always preferable to scratching at the itch.

roughbarked, thankyou, would it encourage the little buggers to burrow deeper into the skin or would it kill them?

If they are burrowing into your skin it sounds more like scabies, Bob.

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

probably always preferable to scratching at the itch.

roughbarked, thankyou, would it encourage the little buggers to burrow deeper into the skin or would it kill them?

If they are burrowing into your skin it sounds more like scabies, Bob.

thanks morrie, if so is the metho a good idea or not?

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked, thankyou, would it encourage the little buggers to burrow deeper into the skin or would it kill them?

If they are burrowing into your skin it sounds more like scabies, Bob.

thanks morrie, if so is the metho a good idea or not?

Probably sting a bit if it is scabies.

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked, thankyou, would it encourage the little buggers to burrow deeper into the skin or would it kill them?

If they are burrowing into your skin it sounds more like scabies, Bob.

thanks morrie, if so is the metho a good idea or not?

There are some sites that suggest it will work bob. One suggestion is to dilute it with 5 parts of water.
I don’t really know though. And it might not be scabies.
Got any antihistamines?

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

If they are burrowing into your skin it sounds more like scabies, Bob.

thanks morrie, if so is the metho a good idea or not?

Probably sting a bit if it is scabies.

Going to give it a try, listen for a scream!

>>>Going to give it a try, listen for a scream!

OK gave it a try, stung a bit, not too bad, but I think the sting is preferrable to the itch, will report back tamorra, thanks for your help folks, cheers, Goodnight sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don’t bite, ah so that’s where that expression came from, whaleoil!

I wonder how they did it in the old days, probably hoicked out all the straw from the mattresses and burned it or something. I have heard that despite what Hollywood reckons tribes in South America welcome the army ants, they sweep through the village and rid it of all its pests and vermin.

bob(from black rock) said:

>>>Going to give it a try, listen for a scream!

OK gave it a try, stung a bit, not too bad, but I think the sting is preferrable to the itch, will report back tamorra, thanks for your help folks, cheers, Goodnight sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don’t bite, ah so that’s where that expression came from, whaleoil!

Keep the metho by the bed if they wake you during the night :)

Skunkworks said:

I wonder how they did it in the old days, probably hoicked out all the straw from the mattresses and burned it or something. I have heard that despite what Hollywood reckons tribes in South America welcome the army ants, they sweep through the village and rid it of all its pests and vermin.

In my house.. the ants and spiders etc, have a field day.. they impudently walk across my sleeping form harvesting whatever is edible.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

>>>Going to give it a try, listen for a scream!

OK gave it a try, stung a bit, not too bad, but I think the sting is preferrable to the itch, will report back tamorra, thanks for your help folks, cheers, Goodnight sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don’t bite, ah so that’s where that expression came from, whaleoil!

Keep the metho by the bed if they wake you during the night :)

Not a good idea, I have been off the booze for about 6 years now, but thanks roughy.

on slapping and scratching at unseen things.. I’ve actually been sitting reading a book and this nagging itchyness kept coming back and informing me that something needed a slap… rather than do that, I looked. it was a redback spider using my leg as a support for web building between my chair my leg and the table.

Another night sitting here at the computer a wolf spider sat on my bare foot for a while and a little later I had yo flick a bull ant off as it was about to go up under my shorts.

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

>>>Going to give it a try, listen for a scream!

OK gave it a try, stung a bit, not too bad, but I think the sting is preferrable to the itch, will report back tamorra, thanks for your help folks, cheers, Goodnight sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don’t bite, ah so that’s where that expression came from, whaleoil!

Keep the metho by the bed if they wake you during the night :)

Not a good idea, I have been off the booze for about 6 years now, but thanks roughy.

good thing you are off it if you think metho is drinkable.

roughbarked said:

bob(from black rock) said:

roughbarked said:

Keep the metho by the bed if they wake you during the night :)

Not a good idea, I have been off the booze for about 6 years now, but thanks roughy.

good thing you are off it if you think metho is drinkable.

Well duh, I have always preffered Scotch or Brandy to metho, but those days are over now. :-)
thanks roughy nite all.

nite bob and caution those bed bugs about biting..

>>> nite bob and caution those bed bugs about biting..
Thanks roughy, I will show them a yellow card.

Skunkworks said:

I wonder how they did it in the old days, probably hoicked out all the straw from the mattresses and burned it or something. I have heard that despite what Hollywood reckons tribes in South America welcome the army ants, they sweep through the village and rid it of all its pests and vermin.

Yeah, but you are biased.

If they were flying ants or navy ants, you would recommend Mortein.

;)

Kingy said:

Skunkworks said:

I wonder how they did it in the old days, probably hoicked out all the straw from the mattresses and burned it or something. I have heard that despite what Hollywood reckons tribes in South America welcome the army ants, they sweep through the village and rid it of all its pests and vermin.

Yeah, but you are biased.

If they were flying ants or navy ants, you would recommend Mortein.

;)

no need, he could commission wookie to lay ten thousanf kilograms of explosives and wire it up to go off at a gnat fart.

Update, just come back from a Dr appointment at the insistance of a friend, blood tests which apart from the usual have asked for TSH ESR Herpes Zoster, have been put on anti biotics, Cephalexin caps because it’s thought that the inflamation/swelling may be due to infected multiple spider bites.

Update, just come back from a Dr appointment at the insistance of a friend, blood tests which apart from the usual have asked for TSH ESR Herpes Zoster, have been put on anti biotics, Cephalexin caps because it’s thought that the inflamation/swelling may be due to infected multiple spider bites.

Update, just come back from a Dr appointment at the insistance of a friend, blood tests which apart from the usual have asked for TSH ESR Herpes Zoster, have been put on anti biotics, Cephalexin caps because it’s thought that the inflamation/swelling may be due to infected multiple spider bites.

May I pat myself on the back yet?

:)

buffy said:

May I pat myself on the back yet?

:)

No, I’ll do it for you buffy, “pat pat pat” well done buffy, thankyou.

Oh, and I hope for you that it’s not the zoster.

buffy said:

Oh, and I hope for you that it’s not the zoster.

Should I ask you for more info on zoster? sounds like a super hero from a comic circa 1965

bob(from black rock) said:

buffy said:

Oh, and I hope for you that it’s not the zoster.

Should I ask you for more info on zoster? sounds like a super hero from a comic circa 1965

Could be, what year did you have chickenpox?

poikilotherm said:

bob(from black rock) said:

buffy said:

Oh, and I hope for you that it’s not the zoster.

Should I ask you for more info on zoster? sounds like a super hero from a comic circa 1965

Could be, what year did you have chickenpox?

circa 1951?

Judging by what my patients tell me, it’s misery in a rash. But poikilotherm would be better placed to answer your questions.

I should go and do some more work. Been very, very quiet here today, so I have been “weeding” old patient files. I like to do it myself, then I can pull out any interesting ones in case I am asked to present a case history at some time. It’s rare, but it has happened. I have a box of “Interesting People”.

bob(from black rock) said:

poikilotherm said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Should I ask you for more info on zoster? sounds like a super hero from a comic circa 1965

Could be, what year did you have chickenpox?

circa 1951?

It’s return of the Zosterman ’51…maybe.

The virus that causes chickenpox resides in the dorsal root ganglion of the spine after infection, when you’re run down, sick, immunocompromised, etc. it comes out for some shenanigans and rash making. The rash will follow a nerve, it usually forms in a ‘line’ rather than being spotted all over the body. It’s not pleasant, ask Geefers wife.

Zosterman

poikilotherm said:

The rash will follow a nerve, it usually forms in a ‘line’ rather than being spotted all over the body. It’s not pleasant, ask Geefers wife.

Poor dear is still itchy but the redness has almost gone. It’s been over 100 days, now. Maddening itch and screaming pain to start with, slowly easing. Solosite (topical) and Phenergan are about all that help even a little bit. Lyrica might help, but that’s usually for pain that comes after the zoster has gone.

Not much like that poikilotherm, but it don’t look good.

bob(from black rock) said:

Update, just come back from a Dr appointment at the insistance of a friend,…

pfft – you should just assured them that you had already bathed in metho ‘cos that fixes everything and you would get on the wire brush and dettol as a last resort (when the necrotising fasciitis set in..).

Right from the start I was not sure it could be bedbugs and thought more likely spider bites.. but it was all changed by the scratching at the itch.. ;)

bob(from black rock) said:

The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

visit a doctor
if they don’t know then get another opinion
if that fails then get out there on the internet

i guarantee that within 2 hours you’ll know what it is and how to deal with it

bob(from black rock) said:

The other night I woke up with painful and itchy bites to the top of my right shoulder and chest area which resulted in broken skin which is both painful and itchy, I have washed all the bed clothing, and “nuked” it with with insecticide, what has caused this, and is there anything else I should do? Is there a plague of invisible critters in Melbourne at the moment causing this problem? Is this vengenance brought about by who I voted for at the last elections? Should I resume drinking alcohol to make life a bit more tolerable?

visit a doctor
if they don’t know then get another opinion
if that fails then get out there on the internet

i guarantee that within 2 hours you’ll know what it is and how to deal with it

Hi Folks, who was it that suggested that I may have Shingles? cos that’s what a second Dr I visited said as soon as I removed my shirt. It appears that the Chicken Pox virus can do this after years of lying dormant, and cause severe pain, and itching, which is what I am getting, so any personal experenciences with shingles to report?

bob(from black rock) said:

Hi Folks, who was it that suggested that I may have Shingles? cos that’s what a second Dr I visited said as soon as I removed my shirt. It appears that the Chicken Pox virus can do this after years of lying dormant, and cause severe pain, and itching, which is what I am getting, so any personal experenciences with shingles to report?

I only had itching and a few minor holes in my back.

Lasted a few weeks, no pain.

jjjust moi said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Hi Folks, who was it that suggested that I may have Shingles? cos that’s what a second Dr I visited said as soon as I removed my shirt. It appears that the Chicken Pox virus can do this after years of lying dormant, and cause severe pain, and itching, which is what I am getting, so any personal experenciences with shingles to report?

I only had itching and a few minor holes in my back.

Lasted a few weeks, no pain.

What were the minor holes in your back?

See post ID: 193386

bob(from black rock) said:

Hi Folks, who was it that suggested that I may have Shingles? cos that’s what a second Dr I visited said as soon as I removed my shirt. It appears that the Chicken Pox virus can do this after years of lying dormant, and cause severe pain, and itching, which is what I am getting, so any personal experenciences with shingles to report?

So, too late to medicate with antivirals (72 window well and truly shut). Solosite gel (over the counter, not expensive) smeared liberally over the rash can ease the itching. 25mg (1, maybe two tabs) Phenergan at night can give relief and help you to sleep. A non-sedating antihistamine (loratidine/Claratyne) in the morning might help a bit but won’t give the same relief as Phenergan. If the stabbing screaming nerve pain comes (it’s momentary, but excruciating), have some iced water and a towel ready to slap on it. Painkillers don’t work real well on that sort of pain because they don’t kick in until after the pain has passed. I hesitate to suggest Lyrica – talk that one over with your doctor, and he will probably only give it if the pain is unbearable and .persistent.

Poikilotherm (there he is now) also suggested a cream the other day.

Be prepared for a rough few weeks, and be thankful if the worst doesn’t eventuate.

> (72 window well = (72hr window well

Here’s the cream

Eurax cream contains the active ingredient crotamiton, which has antipruritic properties.

Crotamiton is a medicine that is applied to the skin to relieve itching (pruritis). It is not fully understood how it works.

Eurax cream provides relief of itching and skin irritation caused by various different conditions such as, nettle rash (hives), insect bites and stings, dermatitis, eczema, chickenpox, heat rash and personal itching.

snip

Warning!

This preparation is for external use only. Do not apply the cream to raw or broken areas of skin, or skin that is producing a discharge. Avoid contact with the eyes and the eyelids. Stop using this cream and consult your doctor if you experience a burning sensation or rash while using it, or if your symptoms persist.

So, not for use if the rash is ‘weeping’, which it might.

poikilotherm said:

bob(from black rock) said:

poikilotherm said:

Could be, what year did you have chickenpox?

circa 1951?

It’s return of the Zosterman ’51…maybe.

The virus that causes chickenpox resides in the dorsal root ganglion of the spine after infection, when you’re run down, sick, immunocompromised, etc. it comes out for some shenanigans and rash making. The rash will follow a nerve, it usually forms in a ‘line’ rather than being spotted all over the body. It’s not pleasant, ask Geefers wife.

poikilotherm, thankyou, I had forgotten about that, which is yet another problem I have

bob(from black rock) said:

jjjust moi said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Hi Folks, who was it that suggested that I may have Shingles? cos that’s what a second Dr I visited said as soon as I removed my shirt. It appears that the Chicken Pox virus can do this after years of lying dormant, and cause severe pain, and itching, which is what I am getting, so any personal experenciences with shingles to report?

I only had itching and a few minor holes in my back.

Lasted a few weeks, no pain.

From the spots, maybe from scratching.

What were the minor holes in your back?

Geoff D said:

So, not for use if the rash is ‘weeping’, which it might.

Meh, it may sting a little…

poikilotherm said:

Geoff D said:

So, not for use if the rash is ‘weeping’, which it might.

Meh, it may sting a little…

It’ll be stinging already, anyway.

poikilotherm said:

Geoff D said:

So, not for use if the rash is ‘weeping’, which it might.

Meh, it may sting a little…

before I knew what was what, I tried metho on the rash which helped with both the pain and itching.

bob, if the doc says to use Calamine, ignore. Initial relief, but bloody annoying when it dries out. Keeping the red rash lumpy bits moist was the best strategy for mrs d.

Geoff D said:

poikilotherm said:

Geoff D said:

So, not for use if the rash is ‘weeping’, which it might.

Meh, it may sting a little…

It’ll be stinging already, anyway.

;) exactly…

bob, if it is confirmed shingles, best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

Geoff D said:

bob, if the doc says to use Calamine, ignore. Initial relief, but bloody annoying when it dries out. Keeping the red rash lumpy bits moist was the best strategy for mrs d.

Geoff D thankyou, I have a dim memory of Calamine lotion back when Christ played Full Forward for Jerusalem

>best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

That’s also good advice even if you don’t have shingles :)

sibeen said:

>best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

That’s also good advice even if you don’t have shingles :)

Yes, could well be true, that.

Geoff D said:

bob, if it is confirmed shingles, best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

A special thanks for that, my next door neighbour is expecting next week.

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

bob, if the doc says to use Calamine, ignore. Initial relief, but bloody annoying when it dries out. Keeping the red rash lumpy bits moist was the best strategy for mrs d.

Geoff D thankyou, I have a dim memory of Calamine lotion back when Christ played Full Forward for Jerusalem

It hasn’t changed, except the bottle might be a bit fancier.

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

bob, if it is confirmed shingles, best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

A special thanks for that, my next door neighbour is expecting next week.

Yell your apologies over the fence, explaining the situation.

Geoff D said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

bob, if it is confirmed shingles, best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

A special thanks for that, my next door neighbour is expecting next week.

Yell your apologies over the fence, explaining the situation.

I may even try Mr Bell’s clever device, you can talk down a wire!!! FMD what will they think of next?

> I may even try Mr Bell’s clever device, you can talk down a wire!!! FMD what will they think of next?

It’s all go go go, hey.

So, are you actually still itching?

Oh, and perhaps I missed it, but what did the doctor recommend?

buffy said:

Oh, and perhaps I missed it, but what did the doctor recommend?

Which one?

buffy said:

So, are you actually still itching?

Yes buffy, but now i know what it is I can live with it.

buffy said:

Oh, and perhaps I missed it, but what did the doctor recommend?

Not a lot, she gave me a sample of Elocon to try and I have tried metho which worked well for me.

Geoff D said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

bob, if it is confirmed shingles, best to stay away from tiny infants and pregnant women for a few weeks.

A special thanks for that, my next door neighbour is expecting next week.

Yell your apologies over the fence, explaining the situation.

Geoff D, just informed them via the ‘phone of your warnings, thanks from me, and them.

Oh, and if you know anybody undergoing chemotherapy, probably better to avoid them as well.

So, was it DA that likes the daffodils? I have another lot out now:

Geoff D said:

Oh, and if you know anybody undergoing chemotherapy, probably better to avoid them as well.

And again thanks, as my involvement with Prostate Cancer Support Groups some times guys are on chemotherapy, although not as much as with other cancers.

Sorry, I’ll get my brain in order and try again…..

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

Oh, and if you know anybody undergoing chemotherapy, probably better to avoid them as well.

And again thanks, as my involvement with Prostate Cancer Support Groups some times guys are on chemotherapy, although not as much as with other cancers.

Just good infection control practises there – hands that have touched the shingles (while they are discharging) should be well and truly cleaned before touching another person.

Geoff D said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Geoff D said:

Oh, and if you know anybody undergoing chemotherapy, probably better to avoid them as well.

And again thanks, as my involvement with Prostate Cancer Support Groups some times guys are on chemotherapy, although not as much as with other cancers.

So it is the discharge that is the problem, thanks.
Just good infection control practises there – hands that have touched the shingles (while they are discharging) should be well and truly cleaned before touching another person.

I had shingles in my teens. A bit of itchiness and a rash, and a vague feeling of unwell. Apparently it can be a lot worse if you get it later in life.

bob(from black rock) said:

buffy said:

Oh, and perhaps I missed it, but what did the doctor recommend?

Not a lot, she gave me a sample of Elocon to try and I have tried metho which worked well for me.

There could be money in this bob. Bob’s shingles cure (keep away from naked flames) $25 per bottle.

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

buffy said:

Oh, and perhaps I missed it, but what did the doctor recommend?

Not a lot, she gave me a sample of Elocon to try and I have tried metho which worked well for me.

There could be money in this bob. Bob’s shingles cure (keep away from naked flames) $25 per bottle.

I should stress that the metho is rubbed on the skin, not ingested!

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

Not a lot, she gave me a sample of Elocon to try and I have tried metho which worked well for me.

There could be money in this bob. Bob’s shingles cure (keep away from naked flames) $25 per bottle.

I should stress that the metho is rubbed on the skin, not ingested!

Perhaps poikilotherm could devise a suitable gel make it into a topical ointment. :-)

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

There could be money in this bob. Bob’s shingles cure (keep away from naked flames) $25 per bottle.

I should stress that the metho is rubbed on the skin, not ingested!

Perhaps poikilotherm could devise a suitable gel make it into a topical ointment. :-)

Could be a distinct pissabolity.

morrie said:

bob(from black rock) said:

morrie said:

There could be money in this bob. Bob’s shingles cure (keep away from naked flames) $25 per bottle.

I should stress that the metho is rubbed on the skin, not ingested!

Perhaps poikilotherm could devise a suitable gel make it into a topical ointment. :-)

I’d use the EtOH you can drink while making though ;-) (Spiritus Vini Rectificatus).

Just so we know what bed bug bites look like…

http://www.nejm.org/image-challenge