Scratch-like marks appearing on skin What is causing this? [picture inside]
Posted , 61 users are following.
Hi, recently I've been getting these marks like this on my skin. Earlier today a line like this appeared on my skin seemingly out of nothing. I didn't feel anything when it happened. What can be causing this? Picture: http://postimg.org/image/97pzxschf/ I *definitely* did not scratch myself. They look like straight scratches but I did some research and they may be burrow marks of some kind. I have also been feeling itchy at night though I do not know what the cause of it is or whether it is related to this.
I have been getting large ones like this and also much smaller ones on my hands and arms and occasionally other places. A few hours later after I took this photo another large scratch-like mark appeared nearby on the same area in plain sight and I was really astonished and miffed about it. I suspect it is from a bug of some kind. What could this be? Thank you.
3 likes, 136 replies
BuggedOutGolfer greg68997
Posted
It looks like my link to my skin gallery was deleted. I've now attached some photos of the scratch marks along with a photo of the type of mite I found in my shirt after working out (there were more than one of these in my sweat soaked shirt). The mite is magnified 80x. If anyone has questions or wants to discuss, please feel free to direct message me.
donna41554 BuggedOutGolfer
Posted
The fourth image is exactly the same symptoms I get when I don't apply permethrin, or when I drink alcohol. With the permethrin it's like a spot, but when I look more closely, it's more like a tiny slit in the skin.
shannan88871 BuggedOutGolfer
Posted
i believe this is scabies
kathy82420 BuggedOutGolfer
Posted
ever figure it out i found that exact same mite
AudreyA greg68997
Posted
I just view your pictures. The scratches look like mine, but I get pimples (from 4- 5) after the red scratches appear. Watch hurt a lot (I believe that these pimples are the eggs of the parasite) as I told you I brake these pimples open (they bleed) and apply calamine lotion on them, and I also put
camphor around my house and in my bed and under my couch. I apply the calamine lotion every day.
This method is helping me and I haven't had any brake outs in awhile now. I recently read that sulfur kills bugs, so at the end of this month I have an appointment with my doctor and I will ask her to prescribe a prescription for the sulphur. Amyway, I wish you a lot of luck with your battle against these pesty parasites.
john95730 greg68997
Posted
This has been happening to me on and off For about 10 years, I would find scratch marks everywhere from 1/2 inch to 5" appearing out of nowhere. I know I did not scratch myself. Some would come up fast with 1 to 2 and up to 4 lines and disappear with a burning sensation prior to seeing them. The next day I may find a scab or not. Some seem to totally disappear and some seem to scab over.I did also notice I can have them like bleeding dots as if I was stuck with a pin here and there. all in all.. Some of the scratches can be very narrow like cat scratches and can be wide like human nail scratches. Some do bleed but most don't. I did also notice when I am feeling run down or drink too much wine and coffee I'm I do believe they may get worse but I'm not sure. I wish we can get some better answers on what's happening it seems to be happening a lot and it's very strange
donna41554 greg68997
Posted
I've had this for over 10 years now. I have lost my son, my sanity at times, and my confidence and now I'm a recluse with crippling anxiety. I've been banned from the dermatology department at my local hospital and all the doctors do is dish out anti depressants and say I'm imagining it. (I don't consume them, but I have to go along with it all or else I cannot even feed myself). Believe me, I have tried everything to rid myself of this. Sulphur pastes, ivermectin (for horses as it isn't/wasn't prescribed for humans in the UK at the time I used it) permethrin all over daily for years!!(costs a fortune and stops the scratches - instead I get single bites) I steam my whole home, my mattress and bedding daily, I cover my floors with pest control strength permethrin. All this time I have tried to rid myself of it.. twice I have managed, but I soon realised that every time I was near to a certain family member it would start again.. and it was taking more effort each time to get rid of it. I'd like to add that I cannot be around other people, as it soon affects them too - scratches and sneezing when around me. I'm about to go to the extremes I did last time now that I have no contact with that family member....
What I can tell you all, is that plain white vinegar works. But it's not as simple as having a vinegar bath unfortunately. It took weeks of daily spraying of vinegar all over my home. And by that I mean into the air - basically every inch of air space that can be occupied by a flying insect. And yes, there's no question in my mind that this is airborne. It stinks your house out - yes, of course it will. This alongside steaming your duvet and pillows and then tumble drying on high for 40 minutes daily. Also, I know this is difficult, but be within your own home until you've given this a couple of weeks at least. And I will be using permethrin alongside this. Also for your own verification, rub vinegar onto your scalp and wait. Crawling gone? I bet it is. I spray with the slightest sensation too. It's the only way to keep on top of it. I'll be back in a few weeks to confirm. Just know, there is a solution.. and you're not alone. It's taken me great willpower to even get my positive outlook back and I certainly won't stop until I rid myself of this. In the meantime, keep your spirit up and give the vinegar a try. Think about it.. it makes sense, right? And vinegar is harmless.. just a bit smelly! I know which I prefer.
AudreyA donna41554
Posted
I wish you a lot of luck and hope you recover soon.
donna41554 AudreyA
Posted
I like the idea of the camphor oil and I will look into this too. This could act as a deterrent even after the issue is solved.
I think it is 'airborne' because I am sure that close contact causes this, yes, but I also think this 'thing' can survive for quite some time while without a host.. so it could literally be anywhere in the home - I just think of how tiny it is and spray everywhere just in case. Lol I'm ocd with all of this!! And it worked before.
Another thing mentioned by john95730 previously, is that alcohol does seem to make this worse. That makes sense too as it lowers our own bodies natural defenses. I don't have the greatest immune system and have had a lot of allergies erupt in adulthood, so avoiding such things is wise. Your daughter may have a much stronger immune system than you, and I'm so glad to hear this isn't affecting her!!
It's all very baffling, but with all our efforts combined, I'm sure we can find a solution.
I forgot to mention also, that I take vinegar internally - one tablespoon in a glass of water. It's good for neutralizing your stomach anyway, so it certainly won't do any harm. Vinegar literally cuts through anything.. I'm keeping an eye on your posts as I'm very curious about the camphor oil. In the past I tried paraffin lamps with citronella oil, but it didn't do much. Maybe it's something different to your problem, but it could keep this thing at bay. I wish you the best of luck and thank you for your kind words!
shannan88871 donna41554
Posted
how are you doing now Donna??
kelly_31744 greg68997
Posted
sky23 kelly_31744
Posted
Could be Bartonella or ehrlichia or some other tick borne bacteria as I don't think they test blood on them. . Ask for a rickettsia screen for starters if it is still appearing.
kaytlini greg68997
Posted
Contributing factors could be the i did live for the past 10 months in a flat with a damp problem, i used to suffer with yeast a few years ago but did not have any such symptoms then. I did experience and episode of biting about 4 months ago, but it seemed to just be random mosquito like appreances.
WHAT IS THIS and how do i cure it?! I have such horrendous health anxierty so having something like this is really taking its toll on me. So far i have tried nothing, is it worth going to my doctors and seeing what they say?
Jen680 kaytlini
Posted
Hi Kaytlini,
I also suffer from health anxiety. I would recommend seeing your doctor to show the marks. Mine is a bit different from yours. It comes and goes, and is very itchy. It is a form of hives, according to my dermatologist, but no doctor has any idea what causes it to look like lines instead of classic bumpy hives. Basically, the only thing that shows in my bloodwork, is that I have chronic hives. I still would like to better understand this so I can treat it better. It seems to get a little less intense with Zyrtec (antihistamine.) I posted on this forum to find other people who have this crazy rash. Your sounds like it's different, but maybe easier to diagnose, since it will definitely be present to show the doc. Of course, I never have the rash when I make an appointment lol. Hope I could help in some way!
john95730 Jen680
Posted
I have the same type rash, for 6 weeks now. However, had it occasionally over the years just maybe a few hives a year. They do appear in straight lines sometimes in threes ...sometimes just a single line. Can be as fine as cat scratches and wider. They also do appear in blotches , dots, scratchy patches ...but mostly in straight lines. Some come up and disappear within 15 minutes and some leaves scars. Depending if they break the skin. When they break the skin they leave scars. It's very frustrating because they're not that common however they are a form of a hive I've concluded. However again, they could make one Wonder about other possibilities. Finally, I do have to say they were at their worst when I was consuming a lot of alcohol they were literally appearing before my eyes. May also be a sign of a weakened immune system from bad habits or poor nutrition. You Are Not Alone hang in there. Since I cut out the drinking, they seem to be going away a little at a time.
john95730
Posted
Rocknaway john95730
Posted
I recently found out that i have an autoimmune connective tissue disorder that is a precuros to lupus. So, maybe that's it, I still don't know but I am not a heavy drinker and my doctor still hasn't referred me to a dermatologist or rheumatologist so its still a mystety.
juliano59824 Rocknaway
Posted