My boyfriend has had a horrible problem being 'eaten alive' by biting insects. He has had two big scabs on his scalp that itch intermittently for a year. He thought he was allergic to the shampoo's he was using and always switched when it flared up. Four different doctors have prescribed him everything from antibiotics, a steroid shot, creams, lotions and all have told us to bomb our apartment. We have bombed twice with the most powerful stuff they sell. It doesn't matter, the biting goes with him. He finally figured out they were falling out of his hair and stinging his arms and upper torso. The weird thing is, NO ONE else is infected or has a single bite - only him. It's my understanding that lice are very contagious so it can't be lice.
2 Answers
Have you ever watched him sleep to make sure he's not causing the scabs himself by digging at his head while he sleeps?
Has he been to only medical doctors or has he been to a dermatologist?
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Scabies. (even this is contagious though)
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of the mite leads to intense itching in the area of its burrows. The urge to scratch may be especially strong while you're in bed at night.
Scabies is contagious and can spread quickly through close physical contact in a family, child care group, school class or nursing home. Because of the contagious nature of scabies, doctors often recommend treatment for entire families or contact groups to eliminate the mite.
Take heart in that scabies is readily treated. Medications applied to your skin kill the mites that cause scabies, although you may still experience some itching for several weeks.
http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-126150/Scabies?q=scabies
13 years ago. Rating: 1 | |
I'm intrigued by the Scabies answer except that we're in close physical contact every day and I've never been bitten (nor has anyone else that's been in our house).
One of the doctors (a GP) told him to go to the hospital because he has an infestation. The Dermatologist gave him special shampoo and cream and told him he was sensitive to bug bites. The allergist told us to bomb the apartment for a flea-like bug for which there is no English name. It's only been in the past two weeks that I've seen them. They're small black winged things. I've seen the bites but always thought they were spider bites. Ever since this started, he's been a magnet for spiders. It's weird, if there's one anywhere in the vacinity they seek him out and bite him. He been in the ER twice for NASTY spider bites. A pharmacist suggested that it could be something living in his scalp and these bugs are "seeking to return to base" as it were.
I'm sorry I could find the actual answer for you. I do wish him the best of luck in combating this. I hope an answer is found soon!
Thank you for your help!