Scratch marks

[ElyEh]

When I wake up in the morning I have scratch marks on the back of my neck, shoulders, and on my front side around the rib cage area. What could these be from? Am I scratching myself in my sleep? And if so, why? And how do I stop? Is it from stress? I just started college. And some times the scratch marks are bleeding.

[conhall]

I do this also scratch myself when I sleep and I found once I eliminated the stress in my life I had alot going on It seemed to stop the scratching :)))
also i wore gloves sometimes it was so bad   Take care and good luck :)

[Ricobord]

Forgot to explain....the reason Lyme Literate Medical Doctors are familiar with Bartonella, is that it shows up a lot in Lyme patients.  Ticks that carry Lyme also carry Bartonella.  Since Lyme is immune suppressing, Bartonella with Lyme is generally worse than Bartonella by itself.  

Most doctors are completely unaware of Bartonella, or think it is nothing to worry about.  I have it, and I had to spell it for my PCP after I got diagnosed by an LLMD, because she had never even heard of it.  

You can research it on line.  Some web sites only describe it as Cat Scratch Disease without acknowledging the many insect bites that can also cause it.

For explanation of psychiatric manifestions, Google
     psychiatric bartonella

For info on Bartonella rash(es) Google
   bartonella rash

[Ricobord]

There is an infection called Bartonellosis, caused by a Bartonella bacteria.  In some people, it causes a scratch rash (looks like fingernail scratches or stretch marks) that are reddish, usually on the trunk, but other places, too.  It is transmitted by over two dozen different kinds of insects. It was believed in the past to be a very mild infection that didn't require antibiotics, but in the last 10 years, doctors are beginning to discover that it is worse than previously realized.

Take pictures of your rashes to document them so you can show a doctor.

Bartonella can also cause neuro-psychiatric symptoms. I noticed your other posts and I think it's really important you get checked out for Bartonella.  Bartonella is treatable with a few months of antibiotics, either Rifampin or Levaquin.  You don't have to live with it all your life.

Unfortunately, many people test false negative because there are many more genetic varieties than the labs test for. Doctors that we patients call  LLMDs, Lyme Literate Medical Doctors, are familiar with Bartonella and know how to diagnose it from symptoms when tests are negative.

The name of the bacteria (and blood test) is b.henselae.  Bring a printout of your recent posts and pictures of your scratch rashes.  It could make all the difference in your life!

[jackie722]

Yep u must be scratching yourself...could be stress.....I recommend if you don't use lotion - try put some on before bed time....Your skin could also be dry

[choosenature]

you may be breaking out in hives in your sleep take some claritan before bed this will help not the D formula