Mom's back is itchy and covered in what looks like little red spots/pockets of blood. Should I be concerned?

Yes, my mother had the same problem. It was horrendous. I took her to the doctor and he prescribed hydroxyzine. I also changed the detergent to Tide Free and Gentle, Bounce Free and Gentle. Also used Avalon Organics Therapy colloidal oatmeal Eczema Relief Body Cream. It was a nightmare for months. After the doctor treated it from the inside, I've been able to get more sleep. Her skin cleared up on her back. I continue to use the tide but haven't had to put the Avalon on her back for months.

Nickie1970...although this poster's issue seems resolved, just want to say in re to your response that people self-treating a bed bug situation will only allow it to be prolonged. If you have a GOOD encasement on the mattress and IF you had bedbugs, they will ultimately die inside, but there is a strong possibility they are elsewhere beyond the bug. Spraying with alcohol is minimally effective. Please get a pro involved and if funds are a problem check with your county (sometimes the board of health has funding) to assist. If you do not live with your loved one, you are putting yourself at risk when you visit if you do not stay aware and know what precautions to take.

We used Tide for years and the last year we used it both of us kept itching and breaking out. Finally narrowed it down to the Tide. Changed to Gain and Downy free (no scents nor perfumes) and it stopped. I still have major itch where my bra goes across my back but it has been determined it is nerves in that area and an allergy to the metal in the bra fastener...ugh.

Tide really surprised me as my Mom used Tide laundry detergent the whole time I was growing up and never had a reaction.

As there seems that a dr. has said nothing to worry about then address the itchy back next - after every shower/bath/sponge bath put skin cream on - something simple as coconut oil you find in cooking oil aisle at grocery store would do - elderly [& not so elderly] skin needs to be soothed -

I go to a pool 4 times a week we all bring lotion & 1 lady brought a silicone kitchen spatula/bowl scraper to put lotion on her back for that area you can't quite reach - several of us have followed - we pour a small amount on it then apply to our backs ... so soothing - I notice in the few weeks since I did this that my back isn't itchy anymore - maybe get her one to use instead to that back scratcher which could tear her skin & cause a worse condition

As to why detergent would suddenly make you itchy is that they keep changing the basic chemistry to 'improve' the product - just because the packaging/name is the same doesn't mean what is inside is the same - when I had my knee replacement I developed a severe itch [at 3:00a.m.] all over but my head area .... it was my own pillow & pillowcase so when I dressed in my own clothes the itch stopped - I went home 2 days early to avoid the sheets etc washed by the hospital 

If this is bed bugs, then they are not just in the bed. They can be anywhere a bug can hide. There was an article in Family Handyman magazine, check their website, about clean up of bedbugs. It is very labour intensive. You can buy cardboard things at Walmart to put on the legs of the bed as a detection measure. I keep them on my bed at all times. You can get bedbugs anywhere. Any situation where people are sitting still in low light (movie theater) causes them to be active. I take a flashlight to the movies and check the seats. I don't care if people think I'm nuts. I put my luggage in the shower at a hotel and then do a complete inspection of the room. Yes, I found bedbugs in a $400/nite room. I was at a ER with a loved one and heard the nurse say that the patient in the next booth had bedbugs. They set a guy with a mop in there----not an effective response. Good luck to the next patient.

itchy skin in general can be a sign of liver or kidney problems. With older people, even things that seem minor should be brought to a doctor's attention. Skin lotions is important for older skin. More fat in the diet is helpful too.