Darkness, night time, a night at the movies, symptoms worse?

[annesco]

I went to the movies with a friend the other night. As soon as the lights went off in the theatre, I immediately began to feel the popping, crawling and itching, which I hadn't previously. Was it because it was dark? Do the symptoms always worsen at night?

I haven't slept without a light on in two months, since the initial bird mite infestations, because the mites are most active and do their swarming at night. We are preparing a new master bedroom, and I plan on joining my hubby there. Obviously, he won't want to sleep with lights on... I've been too scared to test the issue, but I guess I will have to.

Just wanted to get others' feedback on this.

[janak]

Hi,

My symptoms are definitely worse at night, It keeps me awake with the crawling and biting. During the day it is not half as bad.

I have also noticed when i am sitting still at the cinema that the crawling is more apparent. It must be to do with the darkness.

Jana

[annesco]

Originally Posted by janak

Hi,

My symptoms are definitely worse at night, It keeps me awake with the crawling and biting. During the day it is not half as bad.

I have also noticed when i am sitting still at the cinema that the crawling is more apparent. It must be to do with the darkness.

Jana

Thanks for your response. I would love to hear from others on this. It may well be that I will have to sleep with a light on forever!

[Janice]

First, take a shower befor you go to bed and wash with grand Ma's old fashion lye soap ($5) soap up and let stand for at least 5 minute or let it dry completely and go to bed and wash it off in the morning.
Sleep with the least amount of clothes, and for my self, I use towels not sheets to sleep with. If your feet are really getting bothered, put Vaseline on your soles and wear socks.

Another option is spraying your self with vinegar and water after you step out of the shower, and you can let that sit for at least 5 minutes then rinse off , or if you are sleeping by your self, just keep it on and rinse in the morning.
Hope this helps, it has worked for me.

[MeaganM]

Ann,

My symptoms always get worst at night too but I don't think the dark has anything to do with it. It starts around 4pm or 5pm so that's when I do most of my treatments. Like Janice, I take a shower every night before bed and it helps.

I don't usually go out at night but last week, I went to a meeting for an important reason and the room was crowded. I was so itchy and I swear, the lady next to me had bugs jumping off her onto me so I got up and left. Like I said, I don't think it's the dark, just the time and maybe being in a public place. I know that when the air is blowing or it's colder than I'm used to, I get real itchy and my sysmptoms worsen as well. It was cold at the meeting place and it gets cold in the theater.

If you continue doing what you normally do to help at night it should not matter if the lights are on or off. You need to start sleeping in a bed again so you can get the rest you need to heal. Try using just a night light for now until your bedroom is done and see how it goes. You might be surprised.

[Pollyringworm]

I've only gone to one movie since my illness began. I was almost healed as far as the crawling goes. But, I can say that I saw the "dust" in the air just like I've got at home, so it was probably an infested area. How could it not be? The world is infested. Only some of us feel it.

How long have you all had symptoms? I don't know why I'm not crawling and everyone else is. I managed to stop it after a couple weeks. Now I only feel it on occasion and it's brief.

Also, can you explain the popping sound? Do you see anything when it happens? I have heard this symptom a lot and am curious.

[annesco]

Thank you all so for your responses and advice.

I am currently sleeping in my kitchen, on a gravity lounge chair, with two lamps on all night. This is better than when I started, because I had the bright, overhead kitchen lights on as well. Obviously, I am not sleeping with my husband, who is still in our old bed and bedroom. I could sleep in the living room, but it's so much colder at night out there, that I stay where I am for now. ---Yes, I know --- sounds pretty warped, doesn't it? But the whole bird mite and swarming experience has left me a warped person. We are both looking forward to the new room, new bed, and sleeping with each other again. Meagan, in thinking about your remarks, I wonder if the itching/crawliness was from the theatre itself, or maybe the people around me? My friend, who was with me has had recurring issues with a mysterious scalp rash, is diabetic, etc. etc. and has just crossed the 50yr. mark. I am wondering if she is a candidate for this condition as well?

Anyhow, the next question is, I think that since I am sleeping alone, the darkness probably wouldn't bother me. But since my hubby will be there, I wonder if I will experience symptoms then.

I take a hot shower every night with various tea-tree shampoos/soaps, apply tea-tree and lavender oil all over as well, and have very minimal issues other than the occasional "tickle", or muscle cramping.

We are going to a concert on Saturday, and out to dinner beforehand (which should be interesting in view of the fact that I eat almost nothing but salads and veggies). The theatre will be dark, I presume, and full of people. It is also supposed to drop in temperature here drastically to 25 - 30 degrees, so that should add more excitement to the night. I seem to have an issue with too cold and too hot temps as well.

Polly, the "popping" may be better described as a sensation for me, rather than a sound. It's as if you had a bunch of bubbles that were resting on or just under your skin, and they pop. Is it some kind of hatching thing? I don't know, but I've experienced it a lot during acupuncture as well.

[beebee]

This is only my opionion. As I too have experienced the crawlies when going to a movie theater or sitting on apholstry.

Bacteria uses nano wires to communicate: Bacterial nanowires - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I believe that when bacteria is present in your environment, it is communicating with the bacteria in your body, thus the "crawlies"

Movie theaters are dust mite havens!!

Do you also have those graphite looking threads in your skin or coming from a lesion ??

Some solutions: for your bedding use a zippered bed bug cover but 1st I cleaned the mattress with spray enzymes and let dry for a day or so. I also put a brand new 4" foam topper on the old mattress then put on the new zippered pad. I found the best quality and price at Walmart.com. I also clean the top of the protector about once a month to kill any dust mites.

I also have problems going into a place where there are alot of electronics like Casinos.

I have been in treatment for almost 2 years and now better.

I also bought a chair pad with a rubber backing and use it when ever going into public as sitting on apholstered fabric makes the crawlies start and it helps. I just claim a back injury or boney butt if anyone stares inquisitly.

Another concern when sitting in public is we are more attracted to mites, lice and scabies. Don't wear perfume, but can spray with eucalyptus oil or cedar oil.

[zenmorgie]

Hi guys. I also have increased "activity" when the temps change or when I am in a place where there is a lot of electricity (concerts, movie theaters, etc). One of the things I have noticed is that if I get goosebumps I am sure to feel symptoms. So, I googled goosebumps - here's what I found:

Goosebumps can be experienced in the presence of cold temperatures. The stimulus of cold surroundings causes the tiny muscles attached to each hair follicle to contract. This contraction causes the hair strands to literally "stand on end." At the same time, the tiny muscles that are contracting are causing a "bunching" of the skin surrounding the hairs, which results in the "bumps" in goosebumps.

In winter, when people get cold outside, they can experience goosebumps. This is the body's way of preserving its own heat by causing the hairs on the skin to stand up, thus reducing heat loss. Goosebumps are often seen in conjunction with shivering in these instances.

Ironically, people also get goosebumps when they are hot, or in the presence of extreme heat. The main reason for this is sweat. As the perspiration accumulates on the skin, it naturally evaporates. As the sweat evaporates, it cools down the skin surface. As this process occurs, a dramatic temperature difference occurs and the body responds to the "chill" of the evaporation of the sweat and the "goosebump response" kicks in.

For me, I believe my hair follicles are "infected." So when the muscle contracts around the follicle perhaps that causes the M's to stir. Just a thought. I am going to have to try to find a way to stay warm this winter!

[annesco]

Originally Posted by zenmorgie

Hi guys. I also have increased "activity" when the temps change or when I am in a place where there is a lot of electricity (concerts, movie theaters, etc). One of the things I have noticed is that if I get goosebumps I am sure to feel symptoms. So, I googled goosebumps - here's what I found:

Goosebumps can be experienced in the presence of cold temperatures. The stimulus of cold surroundings causes the tiny muscles attached to each hair follicle to contract. This contraction causes the hair strands to literally "stand on end." At the same time, the tiny muscles that are contracting are causing a "bunching" of the skin surrounding the hairs, which results in the "bumps" in goosebumps.

In winter, when people get cold outside, they can experience goosebumps. This is the body's way of preserving its own heat by causing the hairs on the skin to stand up, thus reducing heat loss. Goosebumps are often seen in conjunction with shivering in these instances.

Ironically, people also get goosebumps when they are hot, or in the presence of extreme heat. The main reason for this is sweat. As the perspiration accumulates on the skin, it naturally evaporates. As the sweat evaporates, it cools down the skin surface. As this process occurs, a dramatic temperature difference occurs and the body responds to the "chill" of the evaporation of the sweat and the "goosebump response" kicks in.

For me, I believe my hair follicles are "infected." So when the muscle contracts around the follicle perhaps that causes the M's to stir. Just a thought. I am going to have to try to find a way to stay warm this winter!

Wow, this is all really interesting. I've also found that if I'm in certain stores, I get a reaction as well. I was in Walmart yesterday, and while walking around the towels, rugs, etc. I got pretty crawly.

I did think about the fact that theatres are pretty gross places, and the seats themselves are probably crawling with tons of things.

Great advice on the bedding too, as we will be buying a new one soon and I need to protect it the best I can.

Thanks all!