Mum horrified as she finds '40 bugs' in Holiday Inn bed – then health takes a scary turn

Mum horrified as she finds '40 bugs' in Holiday Inn bed – then health takes a scary turn EXCLUSIVE: Nicola Jenkins claims she was left covered in bed bug bites across her face, neck, arms, back and stomach after a stay at the Holiday Inn Express Exeter East, and had to go to hospital Realising you've shared your bed with a blood-sucking critter is bad enough. Finding 40 of them dead in the sheets is a whole new level of horror. The shocking claims have been made by a utility company supervisor after a four-night work stay at the Holiday Inn Express Exeter East. Nicola Jenkins’ ordeal allegedly began when she discovered bed bugs – tiny parasitic insects that hide in furniture and bedding. While they’re often found in bed frames and mattresses, they can also lurk in clothing, soft furnishings and even behind pictures. Nicola says she woke up covered in red bites across her face, neck, arms, back and stomach, leaving her in severe discomfort. She claims she felt she had no choice but to go to hospital. The NHS says bedbug bites can be itchy and raised, and are often seen in a line on the skin or in small groups. Some people can also have a stronger reaction, including painful swelling. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, can occur. Nicola, a mum-of-two, says she pulled back her quilt to investigate and spotted a bed bug crawling over the duvet. She claims she then searched the rest of the bedding — and was stunned to find what she describes as around 40 dead bugs in the bed. Nicola says she reported it to hotel staff, who offered her an alternative room, a refund and a complimentary hot drink. But she says she later decided to leave and book into a different hotel as her symptoms intensified, describing the sensation as though her “skin was on fire” and saying she spent the weekend shut indoors. She claims the itching became so severe that she went to A&E on Monday night (19 October) after her arm turned “bright red” and became swollen. Nicola says her symptoms began to settle after she was prescribed steroids. But she insists the experience has put her off the Holiday Inn brand for good. She also says she declined an offer of a free stay at one of the chain’s hotels, which was made after her employer submitted a complaint. Nicola, from near Caerphilly, Wales, said: "This was the first time I'd stayed [at this Holiday Inn]. I stayed there on the Monday night and I was fine, but then I woke up on the Wednesday and was scratching a little bit. "I got into the shower and could see these red bites all over me. I knew it was bed bugs because I'd been through it before, but nothing like this. "There were more than 100 bites on my forehead, cheeks, neck, around my waist, my arms. I got dressed and lifted my quilt up and got a video of one of the bed bugs on the bed. "The number of bites I got, there was definitely more than one bug. I saw about 40 dead bugs in the bed. "I went to reception and they put me in another room but said they couldn't reimburse me because work has paid for the stay. She gave me a free cup of coffee." Nicola says that even after leaving the hotel early and booking elsewhere, her symptoms kept worsening. She claims the bites became so itchy and painful that she ended up needing treatment at hospital. Nicola said: "My skin was on fire constantly. It was like a burn. I could feel all the bites under my skin. I was meant to have a baby shower at the weekend but couldn't even go to that. "It's been the worst stress I've ever had in my life. I ended up going to the pharmacist because the itching was so bad and there were more bites coming out on me. "The pharmacist gave me antihistamines, they confirmed it was definitely bed bugs. They're open wounds now, I don't want them to get infected. I didn't leave the house all weekend. "[I ended up going to hospital because] I couldn't sleep and my skin was on fire. My whole left arm was swollen and bright red. The doctor gave me a course of steroids. The doctor said it was a severe case of bed bug bites." Nicola says she was offered a complimentary stay at one of the chain's hotels, but is adamant she will never set foot in a Holiday Inn again. Nicola said: "I'm shocked something like this is happening in their hotel. I'll never in my life go to a Holiday Inn again. The hotel emailed my boss, admitted there were bed bugs and offered me a free weekend in one of their hotels, which I won't be accepting." A spokesperson from Holiday Inn Express Exeter East said: "We are aware of the guest's concerns and understand how upsetting this must have been. "We take matters of cleanliness and guest wellbeing seriously and are looking into the concerns raised. We are in contact with the guest directly." Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings