Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.
This is so strange. I am diagnosed with CVID. My dog and cat contracted fleas. We have had a large flea infestation in our community. The veterinarian told us it was because we have a huge squirrel and rabbit population in our town. My little dog started itching very badly. I purchased Front Line from the store. I gave her a bath in flea shampoo and held her on my lap to dry her off. Never having a problem like this before, I never thought I could get bites. I have around 50 bites on my legs and several on my face. I started getting blisters near the bites. I searched the internet and found that people that get the blisters and lesions are allergic to the flea salvia. I ended up with fever and chills. My husband insisted that I go to the ER. The doctor was not supportive. He lectured me on scratching the bites and making them worse. This, I did NOT Do. I felt very discouraged at that time. He did prescribe a few days of steroids and a cream to put on my body from head to toe and even the bottom of my feet. I was wondering if anyone else has had a severe reaction to a bug bite. This happened so fast, I am wondering if I need to take precautions in the event it happens again. I am wondering if I need an epi-pen. It has been over 6 weeks now. I work every hard everyday cleaning my entire house to get rid of the fleas. The vet says it can take up to four months! UGH
This sounds very uncomfortable - so sorry you've had this happen. It doesn't sound strange to me - my family had cats that got fleas. I didn't have an issue, but my sister was constantly being bitten, a lot, like you've experienced. This was years ago, so there was no doctor visit; just calamine lotion - not sure if that was effective. Also, I have two other family members who are like magnets for mosquitos - one is very allergic to the saliva. She breaks out very badly and the bites turn very red and swell. A doc diagnosed it as an allergy and gave a cream to control the itch, as well as spray/cream to keep the bugs away. None of these folks have CVID (I do), but even without it, it's been quite potent.
It sounds like you had a very strong reaction, which certainly warrants a doctor visit. Perhaps you should see your PCP since the ER doc was not supportive and seemed to have missed the point? If you have an immunologist, you should probably make him/her aware as well. You have some reasonable questions that should be answered so you'll know more clearly how to manage this in the future.
Hang in - Hope things clear up soon for you!
ZuZuP
(By the way, I wish there was a small printed official explanation of CVID to hand people like that, explaining what it is. As one of my doctors said when I mentioned an irritable doctor I'd seen, "Sometimes doctors get mad when they don't know what to do."
About the bites: no suggestion except Benedryl, though it probably wouldn't do much good. The old fold remedy for itching bites (*I haven't tried it!*) is white vinegar and baking soda paste, I think. Definitely look this up before trying it even on one bite!
I had a weird reaction once to a friend's African Gray parrot, of all things. He perched on my shoulder and preened himself, and I was thrilled. (I love parrots and have never had a bad reaction to one.) But a couple of hours later, itchy blisters etc. on my neck and down my arm. I looked it up, and African Grays have something (saliva again? or some sort of feather powder?) that can cause a reaction if you're sensitive to whatever-it-is.
Again, sorry about your misery, annieann. I hope you feel better soon.
NovelIdea
Sorry, not m
Hire pest control. Have your house and yard sprayed. Keep your pest treated with the drops on schedule. Vacuum everything after pest control leaves and throw away the vacuum bag so the eggs don't hatch in the bag and reinfest your house. Wash all bedding, dog bedding, etc and DRY. Drying kills them and eggs. Good luck, you will eventually get rid of them.