Invisible Bugs crawling on skin? Strange sensation...

[Haywoodusmc]

I posted this info before, but it was a reply to someone else's similar post...

I am a 23 year old healthy male. I recently had a full physical and the results were that I am in above average health. I have no diseases, do not use drugs, but drink on occasion.

Anyways, just started noticing these strange symptoms, within the past few weeks. Nothing "brought it on" so to speak that I can tell of. It's been going on longer, but less noticeable, now since I do not talk sleeping meds any more, it's all that I can notice...

Symptoms are strange sensations on my skin. The sensation is it feels like there are "invisible bugs" crawling on, and/or biting my skin. No actual bites, rashes, bugs, sores, or anything of the nature is ever visible. Occurs more at night, while laying down than any other time. The sensation occurs throughout my entire body, no area is exempt from this sensation, and it seems to be completely random, at times I'll feel it on my arm, then my face, then leg, then arm again, etc, no pattern. The sensation "goes away" once I touch the area (either itch it, brush at it as if there WAS a bug I am brushing off, slap it, or touch it in any way...)

I've heard that various forms of dry skin, or minor allergic reactions to soaps could produce such a problem... I have not changed body soaps, shampoos, or laundry detergent types in quite a while (well before such symptoms) I do not have dry skin, or any type of rash.

Ruled out dry skin

I've read about "Morgellons" (years ago, before it was a mainstream idea) and don't think that is what I have... I have no lesions, sores, boils, wounds, or anything of the sort, and no fibers protruding from anything.

Ruling out Morgellons.

I had read about the possibility of it being bed bugs (from reading sites like this online) so I tore my bedroom apart looking for signs of an infestation, and saw NOTHING. My mattress is brand new, the apartment I live in is also pretty close to brand new. Never the less, not a thing was found, searched mattress, box spring, walls near bed, everything.

Ruled out bed bugs.

The only other thing I've seen it could be is Restless Leg Syndrome. NOT sure about that, but I did hear that that sensation in the legs is a symptom of that, and that in some cases, the skin crawling sensation can occur all over the body, not just the legs, and still be considered RLS.

Undecided about RLS possibility.

The only other things I have going on that MAY be related, is an upper back pain/numbness... unknown cause. Been going on for years though. No diagnosis.

So basically I'm out of ideas, and about to go insane. It's terrible at night not being able to sleep because of that feeling, and not being able to sleep with my girlfriend because I keep her awake with my constant moving around and itching...

[drunkenbutterfly]

Oh … meant to say above that I'd been stupidly leaving the bed SKIRT on before. I will assure you I hadn't been so stupid as to leave the sheets on …

[drunkenbutterfly]

I wanted to report back, having followed some of the advice here. I've done a number of things. Last night I had my first really good sleep in forever. Here is what I did -- right after getting up I stripped the bed of everything (including the bed sheet which I have, stupidly, been leaving on) and put all of the bedding in the hallway. Then I took a plastic freezer bag and put borax in it, along with about 10 drops each of tea tree and peppermint essential oils. I put on gloves and sprinkled the mattress with it, then used my hands to kind of rub it in. Then I sprinkled the bedroom carpet with the same mixture. The dehumidifier that we bought several days ago was left to go full blast all day in there. The curtains were opened to allow sunlight. I closed the door on the bedroom because I have a cat and it is dangerous for him to breath that borax stuff in.

Then, during the day, I drank two glasses of water with raw apple cider vinegar mixed in. Between those glasses I probably had a total of 3 teaspoons of ACV.

At night, several hours before going to bed, I did the laundry. All bedding was washed with bleach (it is white), borax, and detergent on the deep clean and hot water setting, then dried, with Bounce sheets, for over an hour. The pillows too.

Right before bed I vacuumed the bedroom floor, carefully. Then vacuumed the mattress twice (it is tough to get up all that borax). Then vacuumed the floor again, paying special attention to the floor around the bed where more borax had fallen as I vacuumed the bed. Then I sprayed the mattress with a mixture of about 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup water, and 10 drops each of tea tree and peppermint essential oils. It dried quickly, probably because the dehumidifier was going full strength. Then I made the bed up with the sheets and blanket and pillows that had been washed. Sprayed the sheets with the essential oil mix.

Then I took a shower, washing with body wash that I have added tea tree oil to. I got out, let myself air dry (because I was concerned about not having washed my towel), and then sprayed myself all over (ALL OVER) with Listerine. Then I let that dry.

I went to bed and was hardly bothered at all. For the first time in weeks.

I did most of this (I forget a bit, all of the horrible nights of vacuuming feel the same), but I think the other night I had that was relatively bite/crawl free involved most of this. The night after that one, I didn't borax the floor and they crawled all over me and it was horrible. Also, at first the Listerine worked like a charm, I woke up one night in the middle of the night with them crawling all over me and I couldn't sleep, and I sprayed myself down and they totally stopped. Then on another night I sprayed myself down three time and it didn't help much.

But yeah, yesterday's efforts payed off really well. I felt a bit of crawling, maybe four of five times as I was in bed reading, but that was it for the whole night. It was like a miracle.

I mention here that all of this is kind of a bandaid for me -- just actions that should allow me to sleep -- as I am going out of town tomorrow for a week. When I get back I will begin the attempt to eradicate them from my house for good. I've ordered the vinyl mattress and boxspring covers, and diatomaceous earth, etc, for that fight. They are in my couch as well -- I have been avoiding it and sitting on a leather chair instead. Wish me luck with all this. I will report back when/if I manage to eradicate them.

But I wanted to post here now so that people see what gave me a decent night's sleep.

[la42022]

I suffered from the crawling sensation for years.  After many years, a doctor diagnosed me with "dermatographism" (I think that's how you spell it or something like that).  Basically, it's sensitive skin.  I started using antihistamines and it's gone.  I get the sensation from time to time depending on the season, but now I now what it is.

[drunkenbutterfly]

Oh my goodness, this is horrible. I've been dealing with this itching, crawling sensation for several years now. It only happens when I go to bed. I was out of town this week and was completely free from it and I got back today and got into bed and guess what -- I can't sleep because of the itching from the crawling sensation and occasional biting (although I've never seen an actual bite on my body). It's been getting worse and worse. At first I thought it was bed bugs, but there was never any evidence of them. Whatever is there is invisible, although sometimes I feel something on my skin, and it is tiny like a grain of sand. My boyfriend never feels a thing, which leads me to believe that what people here are saying about diet may be going on with me -- I'm attracting them and he isn't. I'm at my wits end with this. They only come out at night -- when I wake up in the morning and lie in bed there is nothing there bothering me at all. I think whatever it is might be in my down comforter. Anyway … I'm going to try the remedies here. I'll give up sugar right away. And get rid of the comforter. And try other stuff. God this is awful.

[silverfox67]

   I have been off of here looking for the answer.  TTO is not the full answer.  It is great to spray on your bedding and mattress.   But internally take 1 Tablespoon of Coconut oil before breakfast and before supper.
   I could not believe how quickly my symptoms subsided!  I am still itching some, but nothing like before.
The lesions are almost all gone except for two "die hards".   The "threads/fibers" that come out are lifeless now and don't move like before.  And they are shorter and shorter... I think they are dying off.
   I take virgin coconut oil twice a day - and it doesn't hurt to use it like a mouthwash either.  it builds enamel and kills germs without the burning sensation of mouthwash!
    Kleen Green is also great to spray on your mattress and bedding, your furniture, etc.  Kills the buggers.

Don't forget to try VIRGIN COCONUT OIL  TWICE A DAY.... it has worked wonders for me!
   Incidentally, I went to the local health dept.  They have a doctor affiliated with the C.D.C. who might be interested in what you have to say about your "disease".   Go to your local Health Dept. and see what that doctor has to say.  Might raise your eyebrows or his!

Wishing all of us the best!

[TTOistheanswer]

It works cos its an antifungal but in the long run it will damage your skin.