When will the oak mite reign of itchiness end?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've switched to showering at night and haven't gotten a bite since. Maybe a coincidence, but I recommend it.

Why is this? Do they get washed off in the shower before biting?

NP they definitely are on you for quite a while before biting (unlike mosquitoes). They also like to travel to your bra/underwear/groin to bite you because the skin is more sensitive, which means they walked on you to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've switched to showering at night and haven't gotten a bite since. Maybe a coincidence, but I recommend it.

Why is this? Do they get washed off in the shower before biting?

NP they definitely are on you for quite a while before biting (unlike mosquitoes). They also like to travel to your bra/underwear/groin to bite you because the skin is more sensitive, which means they walked on you to get there.

AAAGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Anonymous]

Not in dc but in the dmv area and I think I have these bites too. No one else in my family does though. They are itchy and huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not in dc but in the dmv area and I think I have these bites too. No one else in my family does though. They are itchy and huge.

It seems like people are more or less reactive to them.

Also they float down from the trees, and so the wind can take them to you even if there are no oak trees around.

[Anonymous]

My son got a bunch of bug bites on his torso. They are small red bumps with a tiny white dot in the center. At first I thought it’s flea bites but now I realized it’s oak mite bites. Never heard of it before. Ugh… what else is there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that bug spray doesn’t work. Only staying inside. Has anyone else used lidocaine? The one thing I’m seeing is that my body seems less sensitive to it over time. Less swelling, less itchy, and shorter duration (5-7 days per bite).

Yes, I'm using lidocaine so I can actually sleep at night. Seems to work for a few hours, at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got a bunch of bug bites on his torso. They are small red bumps with a tiny white dot in the center. At first I thought it’s flea bites but now I realized it’s oak mite bites. Never heard of it before. Ugh… what else is there?

They apparently feed on the cicada eggs, and that's why there are so many this year.

They are a PLAGUE.

[Anonymous]

I have bites on top of bites and they itch like a mother. I shower at night but am outside all the time. I actually read the SECOND frost. Lmao!!! At least once we start wearing sleeves it might be marginally better.

[Anonymous]

One of mine is huge (red welt is 4 inches+ across each way) and swollen and doesn't itch anymore....with a bunch of blisters in the middle. Others seem to be getting better. Not sure why that one is different from the others....

[Anonymous]

I hate the DC area with all its bugs.

[Anonymous]

One of my toddlers was crying in his sleep the other night. He was itching and crying. These things are the worst!!!!! Where are their natural predators? I've never had a bite like these and I've been in my house for 10 years

[Anonymous]

This was recommended on another thread and it is pretty effective: https://www.amazon.com/Mite-B-Gone-Sulfur-Relief-Insect-Fungus/dp/B01HDM5AAM. It smells somewhat unpleasant but helps stop the itch. Warning if you have any bites near anywhere that you wear sterling silver jewelry the sulfur will oxidize the metal.

I also picked this up at CVS: https://www.amazon.com/Chiggerex-Power-Medicated-Ointment-Benzocaine/dp/B08BHRTVVX/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=chiggerex&qid=1628540698&s=hpc&sr=1-3. It's a little thicker, still smells kinda gross but also seems to help. I see best results when I mix them. New bites are the worst and the itchiness is insanity-provoking. After about 24 hours they calm down with the creams.

[Anonymous]

These damn bugs are a curse. I am someone who hates sitting in direct sun, even with a hat on, so gravitate towards shade at parks and playgrounds as much as I can. And love hiking in the woods as a cooler summer activity. But of course standing or walking under trees is a good way to get these mites all over you, and then I have super reactive, sensitive skin. I've spent the entire summer with welts all over my body. I wear pants and long sleeve t-shirts most days (which is already miserable in DC) and it doesn't matter because they like to crawl under your clothes. My neck and ankles are always bitten, but I also get a lot of bits under my bra -- they really like the bra line right under my armpits, or along the racerback if I'm wearing a sports bra.

Basically I never want to go outside anymore, which is miserable because I'm a very active outdoorsy person. If I didn't have a kid, I'd probably just hole up at home until the heat breaks. The bugs will still be around, but not as plentiful, plus when it's not so hot it's easier to stay out from under trees. UGH! I hate these stupid mites.

[Anonymous]

I go to an outdoor pool and get them on my neck and shoulders, the only parts of my body above water. I hate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've switched to showering at night and haven't gotten a bite since. Maybe a coincidence, but I recommend it.

Why is this? Do they get washed off in the shower before biting?

NP they definitely are on you for quite a while before biting (unlike mosquitoes). They also like to travel to your bra/underwear/groin to bite you because the skin is more sensitive, which means they walked on you to get there.

Kill me

Kill me

I’m covered in them. Running the shower now!