No-See-Ums? What the ...

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:34 am Post subject: No-See-Ums? What the ...

O.k. somebody start talking?. :?

I hate to give away part of my trip report but if I don?t it may never get finished! (Itch, Itch, Scratch, Whine)

Apparently I have been bitten (a lot!) by no-see-ums, said a local Key West woman.

I?m not sure what it is because of coarse I didn?t see um (pun intended).

However, I have been itching like crazy since we were on the way to Key West.

I tried to do a search on how to get rid of the itch & can?t find anything for what to do AFTER you get bit. I have tried taking Benadryl & used anti itch cr?me, but I want them gone for good!!!

Anyone have any insight to share with me & relieve my agony?

Remember the commercial where little kids are wining & saying ?Itchy. Itchy. Owie? :?

What was that stuff?

Janet

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:38 am Post subject:

Janet - If they are no see'um bites they should disappear in a day or two, unless you irritate them by scratching. I just wipe them with a little isopropyl alcohol and they are gone the next day. Some people are more sensitive to them than others, like my wife. :o

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

What if I have itched franticly for the last week?

I will try the alcohol & see if it helps.

(How much rum punch do I need to drink to get it to stop?)

What else could it be if it lasts this long? :?

I have been itching so much I have even broken the skin in areas.

Janet

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:50 am Post subject:

Janet - I think it's the "itching so much I have even broken the skin in areas" that is exasperating it. A no-see'um is a tiny - almost microscopic little insect that is not capable of doing any long term damage. The scratching has probably caused a minor infection. I am not a doctor but I would recommend something like Neosporene. Wink

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject:

Janet,

No see ums shouldn't still be causing your problem after a day or so. YOu may have had an allergic reaction to something and I would definitely see a doctor for a prescription strength topical ointment of some kind.

BTW, loved your trip report. I wish everyone was willing to put a face with their avatar.

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:45 pm Post subject:

Janet,

The bugs haven't stopped eating on me since we moved to Florida!!

We put calamine lotion on the bites and they stop itching after about 20 minutes. You do have to put up with huge pink splotches all over your skn though!!!

Good luck!

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

Janet,

I can relate, at least in the case of my husband. When he gets bitten by something, he can't stop itching. He uses Cortaid creme (cortisone) which really helps.

If you have scratched so much that you have broken the skin, you need to be especially careful of getting a Staph infection now. As Joe said, either Neosporin or Bacitracin on those open areas......and a bandage. If you start to run a fever, or see an increase in redness, or worst of all, red streaks, you need to get into a doctor ASAP! No fooling around with skin infections!

As I said, been there....done it, with my husband.

Char

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the responses, I am trying a little of each.

I put Bacitracin on my little open areas & covered them for now.

I also rubbed Alcohol on some of the areas & Calamine (lucky for me it is the clear version) on the others.

I also took a Benadryl & it seems to be working for now. :|

I noticed that I do have little ?raised bumps? kinda like a goose bump in some spots. Other spots are raised patches. If it doesn?t seem better in a few days I will go see my dr. (although she lies!)

Janet

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:29 am Post subject:

Janet:

It definitely sounds to me more like dermatitis as opposed to no see um bites. Are you still traveling? One of the latest reports out is that there is a rise in bed-bug bites especially in cities with lots of international travelers, like Miami, Atlanta, Orlando, LA, London and they might be the culprit but also if you have sensitivities to laundry soaps and what not remember you've been sleeping in beds that might be using a detergent you are sensitive to.

If all of the recommended remedies don't help calm it down, a quick visit to the doctor is in order.

Another home remedy that works well is a paste of baking soda!

Cindy Lou Who

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:08 am Post subject:

Well, I covered myself until I was dripping in rubbing alcohol & sat (stinking) for the evening. :|

I then showered & slathered Calamine lotion all over. (I used the pink stuff because hubby drives truck & wouldn?t see me in my rosy glow.)

I slept like a ?pink lady? for the night & this morning after a shower??.

I haven?t itched YET!

I think that it could be an allergic reaction to detergent as Cindy Lou mentioned. I knew I had sensitive skin but Geez isn?t there a limit?

Janet

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

To give you an idea of what they look like and how tiny they really are, here's an image showing a No See Um at actual size and magnified 1,000 times:

Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

I am a new resident on Grand Cayman - we've been here since January 4th, and have had the same problem with no-see-ums (which are called Midges in Australia). They never bothered me back home, but here it's like Let's Party On Robyn!!!! And the itch was driving me insane.

After trying Cortisone creams, calamine lotion, antihistamine pills recommended by the pharmacist etc. etc....I resorted to an Old Wives Recipe....malt vinegar and oil shaken up in a bottle and smeared on my arms and legs.

I smelt like salad dressing for a couple of days, but I didn't care - IT WORKED!! Very Happy

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

What are no-see-ums and how do you get them.........better yet, how do you avoid them?

Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

They are tiny wee little insects that are almost impossible to see. They make a really annoying high pitched whine though, so you do know they're there. They mostly appear at dusk and again at dawn, and the best way to avoid them is to use a good insect repellent and to cover up your arms & legs at those time.

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

Thanks.......I'll remember that......I hate bug bites.

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