Shoot the Wall (A.K.A. The Rant Thread)

[Pseudonym]

They came Wednesday and are going home tomorrow (Saturday), so not too bad. I think I'll bribe them by buying something nice for dinner on the way home tonight, that should be enough of a distraction. Plus I think most things that can be criticised have been by now. 

[Artemis]

I've had "Rule, Britannia!" stuck in my head for like a week.  I don't even know what started it.  It was probably that documentary about the Roman invasion of Britain.
 
I have 5 humongous mosquito bites (a bit like this person's), and I'm having an allergic reaction.  I usually do, but this is the worst in awhile.  They're so itchy and burny, they're driving me crazy.  I've tried every anti-itch cream and allergy medication known to Man, nothing helps.  I hate bugs.  I hate summer.
 
 
P.S. Carol, all 5 bites were definitely from the same mosquito!
 
P.P.S. "Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!"

 

 

[Arcadia]

The only thing that's ever worked for me is Benadryl, but there's so many warnings associated with that stuff that usually I just go ahead and itch. On the other hand, after years of righteously avoiding it, I've started using ample amounts of bug repellent on my person again. The critters have gotten that much worse in recent years.

 

What puzzles me is that I've started to have clusters of these itchy bumps. They look and feel like mosquito bites, but over a period of a week or so they spread into something that looks more like a rash. I can't figure out what's causing it ... one insect biting me several times? (You'd think I'd notice if I got attacked by several at once.) Or am I allergic to something in my yard? Last year I got into some poison ivy, but I haven't been anywhere near that spot this year. But I have at least 3 different spots right now where what I thought was just one skeeter bite is developing into several. Argh.

[Artemis]

I typically avoid all medication as much as possible.  I broke down and tried Benadryl (never worked for me in the past, but thought I'd give it another go in case I got lucky), but no such luck.

 

What puzzles me is that I've started to have clusters of these itchy bumps. They look and feel like mosquito bites, but over a period of a week or so they spread into something that looks more like a rash. I can't figure out what's causing it ...

 

I get those too, and I don't know what's causing it either.  :/

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Sure it's not poison ivy/oak/sumac (whichever grows in your area)? That can start small and get worse, especially if you still have the oil on your skin.

 

Best thing I've ever found for that is called jewelweed lotion, which I get at one of the local health-food stores. Or one can just crush jewelweed (AKA touch-me-not) if you know where some is growing, and apply the fresh juice. I've heard that some people swear by a product called Ivy Dry (though not sure exactly how that's spelt), which may be more readily available.

 

Either product can also act as a diagnostic -- if it doesn't help a bit, the rash is presumably something else.

 

PS: Artemis, I am in awe of your mosquito!

[Carol the Dabbler]

Just had a look at that photo, and if you hadn't actually seen the mosquito, I would have guessed that you actually have spider bites, which can be really nasty. In any case, a doctor might be able to help, if you don't mind using steroids for a while.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Apparently Amazon carries several jewelweed products. (Just type "jewelweed" into their search bar.)

[Carol the Dabbler]

Me again (sorry!). It's spelt "Ivy-Dry," and claims to be good for mosquito (etc.) bites as well.

[Van Buren Supernova]

I had bites that looked similar to that. If it covers big area, hard, a bit warm, it's most probably big black ant. Mosquitoes bite could be similar but smaller. I also had blister like itchy bumps, I notice it happens if you touch/scratch regular bites. Also had those spreaded ones or those that look like terrible lover's hickey.

 

I swear by skin cream, they could go by different brands (one of them is Diprosone), mostly I just pay attention to the content which is Betamethasone dipropionate. I hardly use other medications but this one, I don't care, I can't stand itch, found places to buy it without doctor recommendations and has one in my bag at all times. Never hesitate to use it.

 

 

About parents:

I actually appreciate my parents more and more. Nagging, yes, suggestions on how I live my life, of course, but instead of 'very annoying' feeling I got when I was younger, now I just shrug it and find it funny even in endearing way. Maybe because they know there is no way to force me do anything I don't want, they just nag with full knowledge that it'a fruitless, more like eyerolling and half joking.

 

There was a time when I was feeling very down, I was not in right place and messed up. It was such a coincidence that my mom needed to pick up important document, so she flew in in the morning, and had to fly back on the same day. So I picked her up and sent her back to airport, altogether 3 hours bus journey, 1.5 hours each way. We talked about daily things, nothing important, and I didn't show or say anything about my trouble, there were times I struggled with my facade but she didn't know. Those three hours most probably saved me from making decision that would change my life in bad way and threw me to dark place. Her presence alone, eventhough unbeknownst to her this time, and she didn't actually purposely came for me, reminded me of the countless times she did in the past and reminded me the unconditional love that I have. I kept thinking that while she chattered away.

 

Since then, I always grateful to see them (of course it helps that it's not often), beneath the naggings and advices (less and less the older I am) all they want is for me to be happy. If it gets overwhelming, I keep my distance for a while, but I try to cherish those the best I could. Regardless how independent or how old I am, it's nice to still have a chance to be a child somehow. And nobody ever knows how much those three hours saved me at the right time.

[J.P.]

Could it be harvest mites?

[Arcadia]

Sure it's not poison ivy/oak/sumac (whichever grows in your area)? That can start small and get worse, especially if you still have the oil on your skin.

 

Best thing I've ever found for that is called jewelweed lotion, which I get at one of the local health-food stores. Or one can just crush jewelweed (AKA touch-me-not) if you know where some is growing, and apply the fresh juice. I've heard that some people swear by a product called Ivy Dry (though not sure exactly how that's spelt), which may be more readily available.

 

Either product can also act as a diagnostic -- if it doesn't help a bit, the rash is presumably something else.

 

That's something I hadn't thought of -- treating it with poison ivy lotion to rule that out. But my instinct is that it's not poison ivy, because I've been pretty alert to its presence this year after my run in with it last year.

 

Could it be harvest mites?

 

Oi. Looked at some pix of mite bites. Yes, yes it could. Great. How do I get rid of those? Chiggers!!!!! The bane of the South!! Arggghhh!!!

 

O god, lookee here, spider mites. Yep, I had bites like those last year too. Okay, that tears it, I'm never going out in my yard again.

[Artemis]

Just had a look at that photo, and if you hadn't actually seen the mosquito, I would have guessed that you actually have spider bites, which can be really nasty. In any case, a doctor might be able to help, if you don't mind using steroids for a while.

 

I had bites that looked similar to that. If it covers big area, hard, a bit warm, it's most probably big black ant. Mosquitoes bite could be similar but smaller.

 

Naw, it was unquestionably a mosquito.  I just have a stronger reaction to bug bites than most people; have all my life.  :(  Especially the bloodsucking variety.  (An allergy to bee stings runs in my family, but I'm not sure if I have that.  I've been stung by a wasp, but not a bee yet.  And my grandmother said she didn't show signs of the allergy until she was stung the second time, so I might have to be stung twice to find out, lol.  Never is preferable.)  I wish I could find something that helps with the itching.  *Sigh*.  This person suggests a hot lemon half with salt.  I might give that a try.  It's slowly improving, but next time I think a doctor's visit is in order.  Maybe they'd suggest something I haven't tried, or prescribe something stronger.

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

... it was unquestionably a mosquito. I just have a stronger reaction to bug bites than most people. :( I wish I could find something that helps with the itching. [....] It's slowly improving, but next time I think a doctor's visit is in order. Maybe they'd suggest something I haven't tried, or prescribe something stronger.

 

Such a strong reaction to a mosquito bite isn't normal, so I agree, it'd be a good idea to see a doctor next time -- especially if your reactions have been getting worse at all.

[J.P.]

To get rid of the mites you have to scrub yourself after coming from outside.

 

Initially I thought they were perverse mosquitoes. Because the bites were in places no mosquito can reach without being really… cuddly.

 

I also get bitten on a regular basis by some mysterious bug. The bite get swollen like on the photo, gets hot and my lymph nodes get swollen and start to hurt really bad. Which acc to my doc is a sign of serious infection and it always ends with a series of antibiotics - sepsis is no fun. It seems to be quite common here, but I haven't got an explanation, what actually causes it.

[Arcadia]

Or I could just stop taking care of the yard.

[Van Buren Supernova]

O god, lookee here, spider mites. Yep, I had bites like those last year too. Okay, that tears it, I'm never going out in my yard again.

Chicken!!

 

Or I could just stop taking care of the yard.

Wait.. sounds like some chickenness that I could support. Let's make a pact!

 

First day work after a week off.

Arghhh.. must I?!?

But the blanket is so cuddly..

[Doe]

I'm a night owl too. I don't feel safer in the light, especially not the morning light. But it is easier to sleep sometimes. Haven't really found anything that helps consistently, but sometimes tea and television manage to soothe and distract, if I choose the right thing.

Are you worried? The outside world sometimes can worry us.

[Van Buren Supernova]

I meant to reply to Artemis regarding that, typed half post but got distracted then came back and responded to other thing. Scatterbrain.

 

When I woke up at odd hours and couldn't get back to sleep, had difficulty sleeping or had nightmare, I usually tried to do something 'not so fun' like doing homeworks (most of those nights were in the uni), read something dry, or played my favorite games. Did that mostly for distraction of mind. Sometimes I repeated childhood prayer/wish in my head over and over to give no room for other thoughts until I fell asleep. I remember always thinking that morning would come, and everything would be better. Not always, but another night conquered!

 

I also keep something under my pillow, something from childhood time that I believe would 'protect' me (beside those baseball bat and brass knuckle :p), always feel better clutching those whenever I need. Haven't needed it for a loooong time, but it's there. Everytime I change sheet I would put it back under the pillow.

[Arcadia]

I used to do that too. Funny, I don't even remember what it was anymore, but it was a lifeline at the time.

 

Errr ... what pact did you have in mind? If it involves potential bodily harm, you're on your own, VB. :p

[Van Buren Supernova]

No no no.. not bodily harm, I am such a harmless person!

 

I meant a pact not to take care of the yard. I do that mostly now, although once in a while I put some effort because I feel guilty.

You see, with this pact, now I can blame you..!

[Arcadia]

Oh, gee, that really helps me a lot. I was hoping maybe it was a pact where you'd come over and get rid of all the chiggers for me. (I start itching again just typing their name.... )

[Artemis]

When I have a yard, I'm gonna put in some really low-maintenance stuffs. Maybe a rock garden.

[Arcadia]

Tried that. Filled up with weeds.

 

Tried paving stones. Filled up with weeds.
 
Tried gravel. Filled up with weeds.
 
 Tried concrete. It cracks. Weeds.
 
Current tactic is to cultivate the weeds. Now I have chiggers.
 

[Van Buren Supernova]

I was sooo happy that the place I stay have a piece of garden, so I planted everything I wanted because I love plants. They are low maintenance, as in very hardy, but I forget to calculate how thriving they would be. I have a scratch on my face because last night I walked into the rose that happened to grow its limb so long that it hangs down (I draped it onto a broken porch structure).

 

My neighbors have well maintained garden and mine looks like abandoned haunted house.

 

Eta: for weed, use dilluted vinegar.

For area with weeds only, because it would kill other plants too.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Flame weeders are reputed to work well also (especially if you're holding a grudge against the weeds). You don't have to actually burn them up (unless you get off on that), just kinda waft the flame over them long enough to wilt them.