Expert: Walter Hintz - 8/4/2007

Question
Something started biting me last night. In the night I had
2 bites.  Later on in the morning I had 8 bites.  Now I have 13.  They start out as small red spots that itch a lot.
Then they form a slightly raised area about the size of a
quarter around them, but that area is not inflammed. I have
never seen anything. And the bites have occurred in other
locations other than my bed. After a few hours, the red area
gets larger without  a defined edge.  Hydrocortozone helps
some but not completely on some of them.  How can I fight
what I can't see?  I am obviously allergic to the bites. My
housemate has not gotten one.

Answer
Hello Ouida
AS you say ;it is hard to identify something when you cannot see it.  It is even harder for me because I am not there.  These bites sound too big to be from something like biting midges.  Bedbug bites are large like this.   Check the bedding.
The other possibility is that these are not insect related but an allergic reaction since you alone are getting them and a medical problem If it continues I would suggest talking to  doctor.

This is a followup from your comments;  Chiggers are a real possibility since you were working outside.  Theu are larval mites and the effects from the bite is insidious and lasts for quite awhile.  You do not feel being bitten but the reaction is bad