Couple Suffer Horrific Bed Bug Bites On 'Nightmare' Thomas Cook Holiday

A nightmare holiday is never a good thing.

Christina Barber and Tristan Dainty from Stoke-on-Trent, UK, endured a proper holiday from hell last month when they went to Lanzarote.

A holiday so bad that now, rather than savouring a post getaway tan, the couple are anxiously waiting for blood test results.

During the first couple of days of the holiday, Mr Dainty began to feel severe itching, with large bite-like marks appearing on his hands and arms. A red patch also formed on his face.

BPM

Initially, they assumed the marks were caused by mosquito bites and they used a cream from a pharmacy to treat the itches. However, Ms Barber also began to feel itchy and Mr Dainty's marks began to develop unusually.

In bed, a couple of nights later, Mr Dainty's itching became so unbearable that they turned on the light, only to discover they were covered in bed bugs.

Miss Barber said: "Tristan was scratching so bad we got up and turned the lights on and there were black bugs all over him, all over his bed and all over my bed. We jumped straight out.

"When we saw the bugs we just thought 'oh my God'. We couldn't stop scratching as we were covered in the bites. We didn't dare get back into bed. It was an absolute nightmare."

BPM

The couple went to hospital for further treatment and were advised to stay out of the sun - compounding their misery further.

Miss Barber added: "The holiday was an absolute nightmare - I've cried and been heartbroken ever since.

"We were in agony and feeling ill. We couldn't drink and we were trying to keep out of the sun, which was nigh on impossible.

"When we first got there, we arrived at night and the hotel looked an OK place. The pool looked nice, the weather was absolutely glorious and we thought we would be in for a wonderful holiday.

"But unfortunately we spent half of our time in hospital and trying to keep out of the sun."

The couple switched rooms and ultimately ended up moving hotels, however, they say they have had to throw away their clothes and suitcases and have lodged an official complaint with holiday provider, Thomas Cook.

Miss Barber said: "I wouldn't want anyone to go through what we have. I'm disgusted with Thomas Cook and disgusted with the hotel."

Thomas Cook has pledged to fully investigate the complaint once the couple's medical tests have been completed.

A spokesman said: "The safety of our customers is always our first priority and we are sorry to hear of the experience Miss Barber and Mr Dainty had while on holiday with us.

"We did everything we could to support them while in the resort, including a change of rooms and then moving hotels. Once we have received further medical information from the couple we will be able to investigate fully."

Topics: Thomas Cook, Holiday

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey