This past week we've been plagued with itchy bites all over our bodys that look and itch like mosquito bites. But there's no flying insects and no crawling bugs. And don't think we haven't checked. The bites are under the arm, under clothing and in places where you should feel a bite or something crawling. This is "The Little Bug That Wasn't There" but it's driving us buggy!
It's not fleas. We checked the dog and found not even the first flea.
Besides, he's the only one in the family that isn't scratching.
Any ideas? Comments? Cures? Regards, Tom

Howdy, Tom.

This time of year you run into one of 3 kinds of itches: Bugs, Fungi, and Environmental sensitivities.

Bugs could be dust mites if you've recently gotten "winter" clothes out (in Florida?:eek:) or springtails/psocids if it's really wet in places.

Fungi are also caused by moisture and humidity helps them grow. Some Tinea act like single bites instead of an Athlete's foot type rash. Some Candida can feel that way as well.

Environmental sensitivities is a catch-all phrase to cover allergies, skin irritants from sprays or fumes, or things that didn't used to bother you but now do.

My bet is Fungi, because that's about the only one that stings and goes away without leaving a welt. Try some talc or foot powder under your clothes and see if that helps.

Cat, These bites raise itchy welts like mosquito bites. They are topped off with a little scab. Can dust mites do that? Please explain Tinea and candida farther. Can they be seen or felt? Why don't we feel it when we get bit? Where do we start? Thanks for your time. Tom

Tom, are these new clothes? Any new detergents, soaps or fabric softeners?

Tinea and Candida are strains of fungus. Tinea Pedis is plain old Athlete's Foot. tinea pedis - Bing (http://www.bing.com/search?q=tinea+pedis&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC)

Candida is a yeast fungus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_(genus)

If it's leaving a scab at the bite, you might also consider spiderlings (Baby spiders) from your laundry room. Run the broom around the back and sides of the washer and dryer just to be on the safe side.

Thought about all those. It's not just me. My companion also has them. These are bites. They swell up and get small scabs on top before they go away. Fungus won't attack different parts of the body with little bites will it? I'd go with the spiderlings but wouldn't you feel them crewing around over you and wouldn't you see just one?
L9, Thanks for chiming in. No new clothes. Changed all the bedding. Found nothing. Are we cursed? Tom

This forum has a dozen threads about just these kinds of irritation, Tom. Yes, sometimes the little bumps from a fungus, call them blisters, can act just like that.

I would have thought you'd have seen at least some webs if it was spiders even if you hadn't seen one bug. That's what has me looking for other causes.

Here's another possibility:Itch Mites Prevention and Control (http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcitchmites.htm)

Cat! I think you nailed it with "itch Mites". This describes our situation to a tee.
We have a huge oak tree in our front lawn that could be the source of the mites. We can't thank you enough. It was not knowing what was biting us that really had us going in circles. You have given us a starting point. Thanks Again! Tom n' Sharon

Anytime. It is what we do here. Like your threads, sometimes it takes a little digging.