I love Okinawa and go there almost every month.
I spent my time sightseeing locally, working remotely, and enjoying the peaceful warm climate, but this time, as the title suggests, I had a tough experience, so I want to share my story.
I am also considering how to take measures against bed bugs (mites) in hotels in the future.
Contents
Shocking Morning Surprise: Waking Up to Chaos
The morning after staying at a certain hotel in Naha city, I experienced some abnormalities in my body.
When I thought that the back of my thigh was somewhat itchy and touched it, there were countless bumps there. While trying to look in the mirror in an unnatural posture, I realized that things had become quite serious.
There are over 30 insect bite-like red swellings from both thighs to the buttocks. In addition, I discovered more than 50 insect bite marks on the back of the knees and from the upper arms to the elbows.
Since waking up, the itching has been getting progressively worse, the bug bite marks have gotten larger, and the redness has increased. I’ve started to feel itchy and feverish all over my body.
Since I was carrying commercially available steroid ointment, I applied it immediately, but the area of the insect bite was so large that I ran out of the medicine.
I immediately Went to a Nearby Dermatologist
Because I intuitively thought that this was serious, I quickly searched for a dermatologist on the internet and went to a nearby one that seemed to have a good reputation.
All plans for the day have been canceled.
I arrived at the dermatologist, but it was too early in the morning and the clinic had not yet opened, so I waited at a nearby fast food restaurant, feeling terrible.
At that time, I wasn’t yet certain that it was an insect bite, and I was worried it might be some serious illness, which made me feel very anxious.
At the dermatologist’s, I was examined and diagnosed with what was most likely bed bug (mites) bites from the bed. I was prescribed a strong steroid ointment and an oral medication for the itch.
Dropping my pants in front of the nurse and having a steroid cream applied to my buttocks was a novel experience…
After that, we went back to the hotel.
I Made a Complaint at the Hotel
Since coming to Okinawa, I have not stopped by anywhere other than this hotel, and the only place I have stayed in Okinawa is this hotel.
I was convinced that there were definitely bed bugs (mites) in the hotel bed, so I informed the hotel about it.
As a result, they changed our room, but there was no further compensation. Looking back, I think I should have negotiated a bit more, but at that time, I was too itchy and anxious to spare any energy to fight with the hotel.
The hotel’s argument, while apologetic, was that “there is no evidence of bedbugs in the beds of this hotel, and it is also possible that you were bitten elsewhere.”
“If that’s the case, please try spending one night sleeping in this bed.” I feel like saying this now, but at that time, having been stabbed in over 50 places, I was in such a weakened state that I had no energy left to argue.
However, perhaps the hotel also realized they were at fault, as the room they changed us to was upgraded to a much larger one than originally booked.
By the way, when checking out of the hotel, I reported again that I had been bitten by bed bugs (mites) during this stay and asked, “Have there been any other guests who have suffered from mite bites like this before?”
The hotel representative spoke rather vaguely, but said, “Although causality has not been proven, it has happened several times before.”
With this, I am convinced that the damage caused by bed bugs (mites) is due to the bed bugs (mites) in this hotel’s bed.
Cancel All Subsequent Plans
I have a 5-night stay planned in Okinawa, with 4 more days remaining in Okinawa.
The itchiness from just one sting feels ten times worse than a mosquito bite, and it’s terrible because it has spread to as many as 50 spots. I could do nothing but endure the itching, and as a result, I had to cancel all my plans.
At that time, I found a video by YouTuber Hajime Shacho, and it was exactly the same situation as this one.
I spent 5 days in Okinawa doing nothing and then took a plane back to Tokyo. At that time, the symptoms had not changed at all, so I took an antihistamine and boarded the plane while enduring the itchiness.
It Took Over a Month to Fully Heal
In the end, it took more than a month for all the bug bite marks to heal. Generally, the redness from the insect bite peaks around 5 days to 1 week, and after that, even without taking medication, the itching becomes bearable, and slowly the marks fade and disappear.
Fortunately, since it was the season for long sleeves, it was not necessary to expose the insect bite area. However, if it were students wearing skirts or shorts, it would be prominent and problematic. If they had been on a school trip, I think they would have had a terrible time without being able to manage the schedule.
Future Measures
When I lived in Singapore, I had a tough time too, getting bitten by bed bugs (mites) just the same. This time, the area affected by the sting was more extensive, and the symptoms were worse.
Experience in Singapore
I believe I probably have a body type that is easily bitten by bed bugs (mites) or that tends to have allergic reactions after being bitten.
Therefore, from now on, when staying at hotels in warm regions, I have decided to implement the following measures and am putting them into practice.
<Bed Bugs (Mites) Prevention at Hotels>
１. Stay in a Clean Hotel
I have decided not to stay in hotels that look unclean or where cleaning is not adequately done. Even if there is a cancellation fee, if I see the hotel in person and think it’s not good, I’ll cancel it on the spot and rebook a different hotel.
However, the hotel where I was bitten by bed bugs (mites) this time appeared very clean, and at first glance, it was the kind of hotel where you wouldn’t expect to find bed bugs (mites), so it’s difficult to judge by appearances.
２. Apply mite control spray
This is a measure using chemicals.
When staying at a hotel in the tropics, I decided to spray the bed with mite spray when checking in. If it were in Japan, I would keep it in a suitcase.
If it’s overseas, I will procure them at a local supermarket or pharmacy. I decided to carry “Dani Earth Spray” with me.
International visitors: If the above link doesn’t redirect, click here
Additionally, I started to spray insect repellent on my body (especially on areas prone to bites like legs, stomach, and arms) before going to bed. I chose “Earth Saratect” because it seems to have a high efficacy with minimal stimulation to the body.
International visitors: If the above link doesn’t redirect, click here
The photo above shows the “Daniearth Spray” and “Earth Saratecto” that I actually carry with me. Since I started using these products, I have not suffered from any similar tick-related damages so far.
３. Iron the sheets
This is a measure using heat.
One of the weaknesses of bed bugs (mites) is “heat.” The best thing to do is to use a futon dryer, but it is indeed too large to take on a trip.
Therefore, I have decided to iron the bed sheets. Irons are usually provided in most hotels. With this, you should at least be able to eliminate the bed bugs (mites) near the surface. Dust mites might hide deep in the futon, so it’s not 100% effective, but I’ll try everything possible.
If there is a futon dryer available for rent at the hotel, it would be best to borrow one.
４. Always carry an over-the-counter steroid ointment
I always carried an over-the-counter steroid ointment with me when traveling, which allowed me to respond immediately after being bitten by bed bugs (mites).
Fortunately, as it was a hotel in Naha City, there was a dermatologist nearby, but in hotels overseas or in rural areas, access to a hospital is not readily available.
Even when I went to the dermatologist after being bitten by a mite, in the end, all that was prescribed was steroid ointment and anti-itch medicine, so I think it’s important to carry them around as a precaution.
I think it’s absolutely better to go to a dermatologist because the steroids that are prescribed are more potent, and there might also be a possibility of something other than mite bites, even if you have over-the-counter medication.
5. “COCOON Insect Shield Safari Travel Sheets”
I purchased the COCOON Insect Shield Safari Travel Sheets made of cotton.
As the name suggests, it’s an insect-repellent sleeping bag. It means that not only does it physically block bugs, but the fabric has also been treated with insect repellent. I hope that because bed bugs are large, they can be blocked.
It’s unclear whether it’s possible to prevent dust mites, but my sense of security has increased significantly. I did not particularly feel that it was hard to sleep while using it.
In addition to the cotton material I purchased, they were also selling slightly more expensive silk items.
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6. Wearable Insect Repellent
I was looking for insect repellent pajamas to wear while sleeping, and I found a product called “wearable insect repellent” on Rakuten, so I purchased it immediately.
There are leggings and arm covers, and they seem to be effective.
I’m not sure if they’re from ticks or bedbugs, but after experiencing the terror of getting a massive rash all over my body, I’ve been completely traumatized. Although I originally loved traveling, I’ve come to be constantly troubled by the fear of insect bites every time I stay at a hotel.
As a result, even if there happen to be mites or bedbugs in the room by bad luck, I am implementing all possible measures to try and prevent getting bitten. (Even as I write this article, I start to feel itchy remembering those times…)
Summary
While the warm southern islands are charming and I love them, living there also comes with its challenges. I encountered illnesses that I wouldn’t have in Tokyo and suffered from numerous insect bites.
Honestly, the damage caused by insects this time is, so to speak, natural damage, and it is unavoidable. There’s nothing else to say but that I was unlucky.
I will use this lesson to take all possible measures to minimize the risk of experiencing any harm, and enjoy a comfortable trip!
Okinawa Hotel Review
I am reviewing hotels in Okinawa based on my personal stays. Each review includes a detailed account with plenty of photos I took myself, so please take a look.
Rest assured, I have not encountered any bed bugs (mites) in the hotels introduced here, at least during my stays.
View All Okinawa Hotel Reviews
