If you've been itching and scratching and you’re not sure why, we may have found the answer.
Microscopic bugs called oak tree itch mites are falling from the sky, taking bites out of people and leaving itchy rashes behind.
And it turns outs there are more of the bugs in our area right now than normal.
The mites can't be seen by the naked eye and you can't feel it when they bite. But Dr. Neil Rebbe said the rash caused by the bite is unmistakable.
“It’s intensely itchy. It drives you nuts, you scratch it all the time. There’s intense redness. But there's a little central area of pustule, a little yellow spot which is apparently where the mite drills into your skin."
Jeff Schnelting, operations manager at Rottler pest and lawn solutions, said the population of the mites boomed this year.
“Some years it's an ideal situation for insects or groups of insects to overpopulate more so than they normally do,” said Schnelting.
The mites feed on the larvae of other insects hidden inside pods called gall.
As the wind blows the mites are carried on the breeze and land on you. Then you become a snack.
Unfortunately Schnelting said there’s really no practical treatment to get rid of the pests, but most will die off after the first frost of the season.
Dr. Rebbe said the rash itself won't do any harm. But itching at it could cause the skin to become infected. And he says if in doubt, get it checked out.
“If it looks like a rash that doesn't look like this typical rash I would always consult your physician,” Dr. Rebbe said.
Schnelting said the best way to defend against the little bugs is to wear long sleeves, long pants and use a bug spray with a high concentration of deet. And if you've been outside and think you were exposed to the mites, a warm shower with some gentle soap will wash the bugs away.
Dr. Rebbe said bites can be treated with hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl to relieve the itch.
