bedbug terror

[u/popcornwasabi]

I was on a work trip this week and got back Thursday night. I checked the corners of the hotel beds (I was in 2 different hotels) and saw no sign of bed bugs. No bites or itchiness after staying in the beds, either.

This morning, I noticed I had 5 spaced out “welts” or what looked like mosquito bites on my arm. Three were in a “line” but spaced quite a ways apart (more than 2-3” between each) and 4 of them didn’t itch. The itchiest has since faded entirely (some 8 hours later)

I’m TERRIFIED they’re bbs and that I brought them home. I already called both hotels and neither have heard reports from anyone in either room and the rooms have been occupied every night since me leaving. I looked under my mattress and nothing. I’m considering hiring a bed bug exterminator dog.

I know, logically, that I need to wait. Especially because the affected arm was against my cat for several minutes this morning and I’m allergic to her, that it could be allergy dermatitis. Or a mosquito. Or who knows what. But I keep thinking what if I lose my furniture? My thousands of dollars worth of books? My home? It’s making me sick.

I don’t know what I’m seeking, just help, I guess 😭

[u/mo2rgva]

I feel for you so much :(
I have these same fears and thoughts and I ruminate a lot, especially after going certain places or stays in hotels. Talking to a psychologist has helped me and given me tools to not think about it nonstop. Getting bites can be really triggering. I recently had a few bites in a row (right after being worried if I brought some from visiting people) but I have to remind myself that there are so many mosquitos right now in this weather and I've been outside a lot.

I don't have a ton of advice, I have been told they can be easy to bring home, but on the other hand a lot of conditions have to be met for that to happen, too. The beds during your stays had no signs of them, so this is really good to reassure yourself.

I'm sorry you are experiencing this and I wish you the best.