Does any one here have any experience with bed bugs?  The press says it is an epidemic now, and my daughter (age 14) has been getting a lot of bumps on her legs that get infected and scar.  Now she also has a weird rash on her chest which is lots of smaller bumps, as well as acne type things on her face (which probably is some sort of acne given her age).  Anyway, I am just about at the end of things to try but still hesitate to go to the dermatologist unless we have to because we really can't afford the co-pay and medication, etc. right now.  Does any one think this could be bed bugs?  I don't see any, but I've heard that you can only find them in the dark when the kids asleep.  If it is, how do we get rid of them?  Thanks for any input.

Our local news did a story about bed bugs a few days ago.  They use extreeme heat to kill them.  They will come in and heat your home to I believe they said 120*, and they have to maintain that heat for a few hours.  It kills the bugs (actually dries them out) and their eggs.  Quite a process. Your pediatrician should be able to tell you if they are bed bug bites.

Bed bugs are a huge problem here in Toronto, especially downtown where I live. Last year my apartment bulding had a tenant's meeting devoted to this topic and brought in public health to speak to us - a whole slide show and samples of dead bed bugs. In addition to Tina's great comment about seeing your pediatrician, I'd recommend googling bed bug bites and there's bound to be a bunch of photos you can see and great fyi information. I've been lucky so far and haven't had any bed bugs, but I did have to get my apartment sprayed - I started to get really weird dry patches of skin that were itchy and paintful and the doctor wouldn't recommend me to a dermatoligist until I ruled these pesky bugs out. Thankfully it was just a case of dry winter skin that I now get each year! 

Don't know much about bed bugs but I am allergic to dust/dust mites.  I had to buy a mattress and pillow cover that keeps dust mites from surviving on it...it also blocks bed bugs.  Check out www.nationalallergy.com for products that help with dust mites/bed bugs.

Thanks for the information.  I also did some research at a reputable on-line medical site and went home and checked for bed bugs and fleas, but didn't find anything.  I had taken her to the pediatrician about this but he just referred us on to a dermatologist, but I haven't gone yet obviously.  I'm still wondering if some of it is from dairy in her diet, but I haven't convinced her to try life without it for a couple of weeks and see...  I'll have to check out the dust mites thing next.  Thanks again.

Forgot to mention an allergy to laundry detergents or  body soaps.  When I was young I had rashes from both and once I changed them I was fine.  Just an idea!

There is a virus (can't think of the name of it) that acts like that.  How is she doing now?

I've had bed bugs on and off for the last few years. You generally can see bedbugs during the day and contrary to every 'amazing but expensive' solution to the problem (steam heat, extreme heat, dogs, etc.) they are essentially impossible to get rid of. If they were bed buds, you would either see markings on the walls/furniture or be biten yourself. If you're really worried, deeply examine her bed mattress and all of the nocks and crannies of the frame. 

Not a doctor or someone who has seen her bites, they don't sound like bed bug bites. Very rarely will they get infected and they are horribly itchy. They don't tend to cluster too much and will generally be defined by their itch and symmetrical nature - not their quantity. 

I agree with the above posters who suggest you run through different allergies that she may be exposed to. I've had issues with similar symptoms over the years due to the following: shampoo, body wash, lotion, cream, perfume, make-up, detergents, fabrics, creatures and water. 

Good luck!