What are these mysterious little itchy red buttons?

For several weeks, many Aubois have had to endure the itching caused by quantities of small red pimples. Skin rashes whose origin remains a mystery.

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For several weeks, many Aubois spend their day, and their night, scratching. Because of the rashes on the arms, legs, torso … which annoy, and worry all the more that the origin remains mysterious.

In Saint-André-les-Vergers Sylvie testifies: “For about a week or so I have been full of little red spots all over my body. I scratch myself with blood and it prevents me from sleeping ”. She treated her bed and the carpet, but ” it continues “. Same observations for Katia in Troyes: “I was afraid it was due to bed bugs. I examined everything in the apartment but saw nothing. It makes me stress ”.

Céline does not go out much because of the Covid-19, however: “My first pimples appeared about ten days ago. On the forearms, then on the legs, the torso… My husband too ». At first the couple thinks of fleas with their dog, then of gall, or eczema, but no! After cleaning everything up in their Trojan home and treating the dog, nothing helps. “After a few days, the buttons go away and others come back elsewhere, in patches. I take antihistamines for the itching, it helps to get some sleep ”.

“It’s a horror! ”

Andréa, another Trojan: “It’s a horror! I’ve been itching all the time for a week. I have pimples everywhere, I don’t know what to do. It prevents me from sleeping so it itches me. My sister from Paris and her children also have them and friends from Reims too ”. Dominique thinks of an allergic reaction “Apparently due to the herbs and the sun”. This inhabitant of Villemaur-sur-Vanne was entitled to two weeks of treatment with: anti-itch ointment, and daily shower “With red betadine”.

Catherine (from Villenauxe-la-Grande) was stung on June 14 “After a day of training in the vines in a T-shirt and shorts. Since then I have been using repellent against the chiggers family, and I have trained in long sleeves, gloves and pants ”.

Rodolphe, Angélique, Julie, Carole … we have received many other testimonies describing the same symptoms. Distraught “victims” in the face of a phenomenon which seems to be on the increase in recent weeks. Fleas, mosquitoes, chiggers, processionary caterpillars… But who is, or the, culprit?

The ARS does not really provide an answer on the origin of these buttons

The regional health agency (ARS) du Grand Est does not really provide an answer but has published on its site: “Since the beginning of June, many reports from several departments of the Grand Est have concerned itching or skin rashes affecting the population mainly on exposed areas: legs, arms, hands, torso”. And observe that “Some reports may be linked to a very significant upsurge in stinging oak processionary caterpillars in rural or urban areas near parks or gardens”. The ARS also evokes “Small insects of the chigger type or similar also responsible for stings or itching of the skin”. The agency recommends that people with skin conditions consult their pharmacist or general practitioner.

Contacted, Yves Noizet, president of the Aube pharmacists union, observes that the hot weather favors this type of reaction. For him these buttons are not related to the processionary caterpillars whose “The reactions are very stinging. It’s violent “. Nor to chiggers
or “The buttons are concentrated in the hot zones, the folds of the elbow, the belt…”. What about bed fleas? “The buttons are all over the body”, replies the manager. And here again these little animals are visible. Yves Noizet invites those concerned to consult their doctor, or come to a pharmacy and recommends an antihistamine product.

Hypothesis and miracle cures

Another Aube pharmacist mentions on his Facebook page, blackflies, small microscopic flies that sting and inject an anticoagulant and allergenic substance into the blood. He thinks she might be responsible for these pimples. A hypothesis which is not confirmed.

We have received many comments on this phenomenon viaour Facebook page. Sometimes with advice, tips, “grandmother’s tips”, the miracle essential oil, but beware some recommended perlimpine powders are to be taken with a grain of salt as the remedy can be worse than the disease.