For those who already responded, thanks! I have a quick addition. My other concern is that I once got it from a student in my class, literally from hugging her. So it was in the day time and must have traveled from her hair or clothing. So if I meet my friend, could we get it from hugging her? I may have already damaged our friendship... Thanks as always!
My college friend of about 16 years still hasn't seen our 7.5 month old daughter b/c my friend has this problem with bedbugs. I know it's crazy, but she emailed me a while ago asking for advice about how to get rid of them. I gave her all this advice I found on the web and then she never followed through. She is an obsessive collector and won't throw anything away, so she has boxes and trinkets up the wazoo in a tiny Queens apartment. I asked my sisters and decided to tell her, in the most considerate but honest way, that I can't take my daughter to see her until I know that she's taken care of the bedbugs. She never replied to that and while I feel terrible about it, I feel I can't put my baby girl in that kind of danger. Am I right? Is there anything else I can do? I miss my friend dearly and almost cry when I think I can't show my daughter this friend that I cherish so much.
Can't you just meet her at a child friendly restaurant? Then maybe go to a nearby park and continue to chat? It's summer so you don't have to go over to her apartment. And I don't blame you - aside from exposing your daughter - you DON'T want to carry them home with you.
oh yikes. a friend of mine slipped and told me she had bed bugs. this was a few months ago. she was going through hell to try get rid of them. i felt for her. but then she invited herself over. and i just had to say i'd love to see you guys but no way until you get rid of those things, and some weeks/months pass and you don't get any back. i said it jokingly, but was so serious. she understood. i would understand if i were the one dealing with those things. i don't know how you can get them, whether it is by touch, sitting on things...i just don't know, nor do i care. i don't want them in my house. by the way, i am very blunt and my friends know this, so i didn't dwell on whether my friend got offended or not. i don't know anyone who wakes up one day and says 'hey i'd be fun to have bed bugs."
by the way you will have her over or see her soon. she will have to deal with getting rid of the bugs. i hear they bite, and cause rashes and what not. so she has to deal with them. in meantime, i say, you already told her. stand by your words until she announces she got rid of them
good luck
Oy, we had bedbugs once, pre-baby. The only thing that got rid of them was when we set off Raid flea bombs in the apartment we were in...that killed them off. But if you go to see her during the day, you should be fine.
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/bedbugs
Hey Nadia,
I just did a search and researched the bedbug,
I would say you have nothing to worry about, since they don't come out during the day, There is absolutely no reason for you to prohibit your daughter whom is 8 months old from seeing her.
As per the websites I searched:
Despite the fact that the bed bug can acquire many human disease organisms during feeding, there have been no documented cases of disease transmission as a result of bites. However, their bites can produce irritating, itching, and burning sensations.Discomfort from bed bug bites may last a week or more.
Based on this information I would say there is absolutely NO reason to avoid contact with your friend,especially since as you say she is your dearest friend.
You could make plans to meet her at a park, or some sunny outdoor place.this way if she gives you a gift for your child you can open it int the outdoors, give it a good shake and be certain she didn't transport these bedbugs.
And in my opinion and experience, The common cold seems much more threatening, H1N1, even diaper rash would cause more irritation.
M
Additional:
Hey bed bug momma,
LOL
You could undress your daughter before entering the house,
and wash her up in the baby pool outside,
And wear your bathing suit under your clothing, and undress outside aswell,
in fact thinking about it you could meet at a public pool,
this way you can hug her, and she can hug you and your daughter
when you leave, leave separately, before she does so that you hug before changing into new outfits.
this way there is no chance for contamination
M
Don't feel bad or guilty. You're daughter comes first. Perhaps you can invite your friend over to your house for dinner one day. That way can see each other, she can meet the baby and you won't have to be concerned about the bedbugs.
