HomeAnswersInternal Medicinedust allergyPlease suggest treatment for invisible bug bites.

My family has been suffering from an invisible bug bite. Please help us.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At August 30, 2016
Reviewed AtDecember 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

We are in a horrible situation for the last four months, due to an invisible bug bite. It is crawling and biting up from head to toe and become more aggressive in the night time till morning. It is invisible to the naked eye. I was going through many researches on the internet. The symptoms are similar to the bugs such as fungus gnat, mite, etc. It is not bed bug that we are 100% sure. Initially, it was not disturbing others in the family, but now they are also getting the bites. It has become more aggressive in the night after 8 PM. I was unable to sleep for the last four months. The entire night I keep on killing them by using the mosquito swatter and I am sleeping from 6.30 AM to 8.30 AM. This is the cycle going on for the past four months.

I consulted many dermatologists, spent a lot of money and efforts to prevent this evil bug, But, it is getting resistance to everything that I used. There are ample number of chemical repellents and herbal products including the essential oil. Even, I took support from four different pest control team and nothing resulted. The DEET mixed products and neem oil given me little relief for a moment, but still it disturbs me entire night. I bought one bottle of 40% DEET product. The spray was not sufficient and it is very expensive. How to make this evil bug leave the premises? What attracts them? Why only we are facing this issue in the apartment? How do I make the itch go away? Please help me. Kindly help us come out of this issue; else we need to shift from the place. It will be a great support if you can facilitate an effective solution. I was thinking about fumigation, but do not know about the result.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have a few questions to better understand the situation. Who, in particular, is experiencing these symptoms? Is it yourself or someone else? Do you use an air conditioner or a fan to keep the house cool? If you use an air conditioner, when was the last time the filter was changed or the fan was cleaned? It would be very helpful if you could share a picture of the rash, if possible.

Have you ever changed your mattress? If so, when was it last changed? How long have you been living in this house, and have you or any family members experienced any shortness of breath or wheezing?

Additionally, how often do you dust the house, change bed sheets, and perform activities like brooming and vacuuming? Based on the information provided, my best diagnosis points to either a mold or, most likely, a dust mite infestation, both of which are invisible and can cause similar symptoms. Sharing the answers to these questions will help me confirm the possible cause and provide appropriate guidance.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Initially, it was biting me and now it started biting my wife and daughter. But, they aggressively bite me and my blood group is O negative. No, we are not using the air conditioner. We are using a fan and it was cleaned last week Sunday. I have attached the picture attached. We changed the mattress almost two weeks back. We shifted to this house before five months and from the second week this week started. Once in 15 days dusting cleared. Every alternate day sheet is changed. Instead of vacuuming, once in 15 days we use bleach.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. It appears that the issue arose after you moved into the new place, and it is highly likely due to a dust mite infestation. To address this, it's essential to make some changes in your living environment. Avoid having carpets, decorated furniture, and heavy drapes, as they tend to collect dust. Instead, use pillow and mattress covers made from tight materials that can block dust mites. Opt for furniture that is easy to wipe clean and remove rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting, especially from the bedroom. Instead, use smaller carpets, rugs, or mats that you can wash regularly.

Consider replacing drapes and blinds with shades or washable curtains. In the bedrooms, remove items such as stuffed toys, thick wall hangings, large books, and artificial flowers, as they can accumulate dust. Avoid using wool blankets and thick quilts. Maintain a well-ventilated house, as dust mites thrive in higher humidity environments but cannot tolerate dry conditions. Damp-mop hard floors (such as tile or hardwood) daily and dust hard surfaces like tables and furniture once or twice a week to remove allergen buildup. It's crucial to wash bedding, pillowcases, and mattress covers in hot water every one to two weeks to reduce dust mite presence effectively. Following these steps should help mitigate the dust mite problem and alleviate your symptoms.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Internal Medicine

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