It's very important for me to control my environment. Most doctors don't even talk of this because they have no experience with the infestation. For me, I was infected from a cloud of dust/pollen of bird mites shaken loose from a tree as I pulled a vine from it in back yard.

Some sufferers have been infected from bed bugs, some from rat mites, some from clouds of dust, some from an air conditioner, some from their pets, and some simply from having been in contact with clothing, bedding, on furniture used by someone who was already infected.  One lady claimed that she got it after sitting across from someone who appeared to be badly infected with something.

The infecting organism is called the vector and can be mites from birds, rats, and other animals. According to Dr. Harvey, retired specialist in the accompanying treatment of Lyme and Protozoan, the vector can be almost anything--mites, and mosquitoes included.

When I first was infected, it took me weeks before I discovered that the parasites had gotten into my furniture, rugs... I had to get really fastidious about disinfecting all my clothing, bedding, rugs and upholstery... 

And then I started disinfecting my watch band, combs, razors and even outside around my house--they were everywhere. It took two weeks before I could start relaxing.

I dusted diatomaceous earth insecticide everywhere. I purchased a spray duster can be purchased at a garden center for about $30. Then I misplaced it and used a couple tablespoons into a cloth bag (a sock will do), and I shook it around the house. I closed food containers and cabinets with dishes and I dusted all rooms, carpets, mattress, furniture, etc. I wore a dust mask while dusting to avoid getting it into my lungs. I ordered 1 1/2 lb bag or a 4 lb bag of  diatomaceous earth for about $13.85 by calling them direct at 1-866-927-3422 or go to www.yardiac.com Following is the the specific page for diatomaceous earth.  http://www2.yardiac.com/long.asp?tgs=1835059:9122285&cart_id=718369:425686424970&item_id=4919

Some sufferers have reported that their infection came from inside their home as with bed bugs or rats/mice. For them it was very important to get rid of the rugs and employ an exterminator to get rid of the vermin. Bed bugs are reported much harder with which to deal and even a challenge for the most knowledgeable exterminator. Bed bugs are not easy to exterminate as they hide in the walls and only come out at night to feed. 

Automobile--I sprayed seats, safety belt (both sides) and carpeting with ammonia* or Lysol spray and then dusted with diatomaceous earth after every use until I was free of any itching for at least three days. For a while I used Lysol and then realized that breathing it that much might not be beneficial so I switched completely to dilute ammonia spray (approx 1/4 ammonia and 3/4 water) in a Windex spray bottle.

Environmental--I obtained pesticide effective for chiggers from Home Depot in a granular form for spreading on the lawn. I also sprayed all the shrubs close to the house with a pesticide effective for chiggers. I don't remember the actual pesticides I used, but I'm sure there are several from which to choose. Remember, I was infected from a cloud of dust from one of these trees and apparently they had gotten everywhere from that dust cloud.

I didn't have forced air heating or air conditioning duct work to deal with, so I don't know exactly what to do. There are companies that specialize in cleaning of air ducts, otherwise, I'd change the filter and be tempted to spray a lot of diluted ammonia (3 parts water to 1 part ammonia) into the air return of the furnace. If I were to contract a company to do it for me, I'd make sure they use a disinfecting agent.

 I checked all air conditioners/dehumidifiers. For window air units, I removed filters and washed them with ammonia, sprayed intake vents (inside and outside) with ammonia solution as it is operating till the point where I could smell the ammonia coming out into the room. I had to step away from the unit as the ammonia passed directly through the unit and would smart my eyes if I stayed too close to the unit.  I sprayed the ammonia through the dehumidifier as well.

If we're dealing with mites as the vector, they might be killed, but the eggs might not hatch for days--usually has to be a heat source to hatch them, so I wouldn't expect them hatching in summer air conditioning, however, the turning on and off of the blower might dislodge them and blow them into the air space and winter heating probably would hatch them in the heat duct. The eggs can exist for years--maybe indefinitely. 

I washed all my clothing with bleach or ammonia (I never used bleach and ammonia together as it will produce deadly chlorine gas), or dry cleaned. I accidentally wore some clothes from the early era (when I was first infected) that were not sanitized years later and noticed itching within hours. One thing that appears on the message boards time and time again so it must work is using bounce in the dryer. Something about the bounce product that is miraculous. I use it whenever I remember for its intended purpose, never had any problem with ammonia or bleach not working. So, I use it anyway, just in case?

Bedding, I washed the mattress cover, all covers, and comforters with ammonia or bleach in the laundry and then I changed the sheets daily.

I vacuumed the mattress with a vacuum cleaner that uses a hepa filter. Then I used the shampoo attachment to shampoo the mattress using a Glamorine, diluted ammonia, and warm water. After it dried, I dry dusted it with diatomaceous earth and then put on the mattress cover. I laundered all comforters in either ammonia or bleach (depending on whether they were colored or not). I dusted the top sheet with diatomaceous earth to prevent them getting back into the comforters. I changed my sheets daily and sprayed the mattress cover and the comforters with ammonia solution. Although in my most recent re-infection, I didn't need to use the diatomaceous earth--simply washed all comforters, bedding, clothing and throw rugs with ammonia or bleach, disinfected my razor, eye glass ear pieces, chairs...

I washed pillows using ammonia in the wash and covered them with a plastic garbage bag to prevent recontamination.

I washed the bathroom floor and rugs with ammonia solution and dusted the rugs with diatomaceous earth.

I sprayed the inside of all shoes and bedroom slippers with ammonia solution daily. Also spray the souls of your shoes (dusting with diatomaceous earth will work too) and slippers--it's how the parasites get transferred from outside to inside or visa versa or to the carpet in your auto or at your workplace. In fact, this makes a good argument for using diatomaceous earth through out  your home, auto, and around your work station at work until you get your environment under control as you'll always be stepping in carpets dusted with it and thus eliminate transporting the parasites from one location to another. Please note that this is not only true of carpets, but the parasites can be deposited on any tile, hardwood floor, or linoleum--just not as easy as carpeting.  

I sprayed all furniture I sat in at work or home daily (including leather or nalguhyde) after each use with ammonia solution or Lysol and dusted with diatomaceous earth where possible.

I treated my razor with ammonia solution after using it, washed my watch's wrist band and the back of the watch, hair comb or brushes, eye glass frames, finger rings, neck chains with ammonia solution as well.

Any coats I wore were washed or dry cleaned after every use. I turned the arms inside out and sprayed all the linings with ammonia solution and closed the coat to keep the fumes inside as long as possible.

I bought an an ozone air purification machine, but didn’t find it that helpful in dealing with the scourge. However, I plan to purchase an Equoquest unit that kills molds, mildew, bacteria, virus... For more information on this unit, email me at knic@comcast.net with "air purification question" as the subject.

I never let others use my hats, clothing, wash cloths, towels, jewelry or bedding.

I stopped going to the barber for a hair cut--it can be passed on to the next person the barber sees unless he sterilizes his equipment. Maybe this is what is known as Barber’s itch. If discovered in time, it can be treated successfully with caladryl, hydrocortisone, or Predinsone.

I didn't shop for clothes while symptoms persist because trying on clothes could contaminate them for someone else who might buy them.

I didn't sleep with unaffected people; I didn't carry my four year old son or let him ride on my shoulders; I didn't rough house with my him or anyone; nor did I even hug anyone--distance is the best precaution.

I didn't  let anyone use my razor blades and did’t get hair cuts while they are active. Anyone using a razor blade contaminated will within a day have skin lesions which may be the source of what is know as barber’s itch. If it happened, I'd have them use colloidal silver, Caladryl, Benadryl, or Neosporin with pain reliever, or neem cream or hydrocortisone lotion on the sites for a week. I disinfect razor blades, hair clippers with disinfectant spray or ammonia solution. I wash razor blades thoroughly to eliminate the ammonia which if not removed completely can cause a skin reaction itself.

I shampooed my carpeting with a disinfectant or I added ammonia to the shampoo. The mites/larvae generally don't jump to others, they are passed with clothing, bedding, combs, jewelry, or by walking barefoot or lying down on a contaminated carpet, or sitting in a contaminated stuffed or fabric/ leather chair. However if one sits in a contaminated area, they can be felt jumping onto one's legs.

I got rid of all standing water outside and inside my home--even  made sure dishes in the sink were dry. 

I also found that simply dabbing the diatomaceous dust on an itching site would reduce it within seconds. I had to be real careful about wearing any clothes for a second time. It gets expensive dry cleaning pants and jackets after every use. So I'd disinfect them by turning the sleeves inside out, spray them with 25% ammonia solution, and then turn the sleeve right side in and close the jacket to trap the ammonia fumes--sometimes it didn't seem to work. Then I realized I could dust the diatomaceous earth  inside the pants legs and sleeves of the jackets. Other clothes, underwear, sheets and all washable clothes had to be washed with a cup of bleach or sudsy ammonia. Diatomaceous earth made life more livable than ever before. The directions on the package which contained pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides produced by certain species of the chrysanthemum known as a contact killer, suggest no contact with skin although the brand by yardic.com which has no pyrethrins, doesn't contain that caution. Both brands suggest using it to dust the sleeping quarters of the animals and it's represented as being nontoxic to humans and animals.

With continued use of the diatomaceous earth insecticide and the stage one diet, I ridded myself of the pestilence--except for the sites on my neck. It was freedom I never thought I'd experience again. After all, here I was with the cleanest clothes and the cleanest bed in town and felt like a second rate citizen infected with some scourge.