Warning: grossness ahead in this post about picking at bug bites. Skip if you’d like!
All my life I have been a bug bite picker. A “scratch it until it bleeds, then continue until it forms a scab, then pick that scab off an many times as possible until it scars” sort of person. Wonderful, I know. I remember being a little girl and my mom trying to get me to stop, saying funny things like, “You’ll never be a leg model if you keep picking at those bites!” Ha ha, oh Mom.
But she was right. The scabs on my legs DO look horrible. It’s actually something I try to photoshop off of pictures before sharing them, since they look so gross. (Full disclosure – I also take the time to photoshop freaky (okay, and all) zits off my face.)
So, since getting my first tattoo last year, I have tried to be UBER mindful about not scratching at bites on my right shoulder, where the tattoo is. The last thing I want is noticeable scars around my beautiful tattoo. (And the Therapik helps!)
The problem is, bugs are only biting me on my right shoulder. Seriously. Look at the comparison from this morning’s run:
Ugh, it’s so aggravating! It seems like the bugs are going out of their way to bite me in the one spot I’d prefer they don’t! (Although they are still going for my big rump, too, ha ha.)
I felt really annoyed about it this morning, then it all came to me awhile after my run. I always run on the right side of the path/trail, and that is usually next to the prairie or woods, so, uh, duh, Kim, maybe these bugs are coming from those areas, and just want to bite what is closest to them – your right shoulder?
I mean, it does seem like I have more bites on my right side, overall.
It’s either that, or the bugs are evil and want to bite me where I don’t want to be bitten, or, they are somehow attracted to ink. Ugh. Whatever it is, I will continue to use the Therapik and not scratch.
And maybe I’ll start to be the weirdo running down the left side of the path.
Bug bites suck!!!
And wow your arms look awesome, even with the bug bites! I really do need to convince my husband to start working later on Fridays!!
Aww, thanks 🙂 I’d love if you could try out a class sometime! 🙂 There are actually classes during the day too, but no day care there, lol!
As I was reading I thought, “I wonder what side of the path she runs on…” And then you answered my question, LOL!! Bug bites are the WORST.
I do the same thing I have a bunch of scars because of it. Apparently it can become a disorder: excoriation. So whenever I get told off for it, which annoys me for some reason, I say I have a condition ha ha.
LOL! I should start saying that. People think it’s so easy to stop scratching/picking. Nope.
Love your tattoo!! Makes me want to get something similar. And yes your arms look awesome!!
Too funny!! I love your tan lines. They’re like a runner’s badge of honor. Funny you always run on the right. Good reasoning for the bites. Please keep us posted if running on the left changes this!! I know it’s wrong, but I prefer running on the left or in the middle. I like the slope that direction better.
Another blogger that does a lot of hiking swears by the “Bug Band”. Have you ever tried something like that? Keeping it real, I can’t stand feeling anything rough on my skin like a scab. It must come off!
I haven’t tried that, but I have seen them. Honestly, since mosquitoes and bugs will bite me even when I am covered in bug spray, I thought one of those bands wouldn’t work. It may be worth a try though!
Aww, bugs love me.I hate them. It seems like if they have a thing for your skin, they are relentless. I will say the scar gel really works, the newer the mark the better. My hubby had his thyroid removed years ago and used the expensive gel and it truly made a huge difference as it healed. His scar looks so much better than others we meet.
Wow! I haven’t heard of that gel, interesting! That’s cool it actually works!
We had a mosquito in the apartment a few nights ago. I always get bitten more than Harrison, which is annoying, but this mosquito bit me ON THE FACE. So now it looks like I have these very red pimples. Thanks a lot, you stupid mosquito. Fortunately, the mosquitoes out here are really fat and slow; you can basically clap them out of the air.
I was definitely a scratch-and-scar kid too. Now that I know my skin scars easily though, I try to exercise some restraint. Ahh, vanity.
Ugh, I hate the bites on the face! Especially if they swell! 🙁