Question
QUESTION: We live in central oregon, and I have had three episodes of something biting me at night, leaving a sore usually on my face, that I must squeeze in the morning that emits some clear liquid, sometimes some blood, and the sore turns painful for a day or so, then scabs and then heals.  The pain I think of as a "peppermint pain", sharp but not unbearable.  They don't seem like super venomous bites, but often they reoccur on or near the bite on the next night.  It always happens at night, and then once upstairs when I slept there.  We vacuum, clean, I fleabombed the house and I think that helped once, but not the next time, which was last February.  My husband and son are never bothered.  It's sort of x-files thing!  I think my husband thinks it's an internal thing causing it, but then this morning he said he killed some bug while putting on his pants, so maybe he believes me more, about it being a bug.  We have cleaned well, used teatree oil, bug spray, etc, and there is no noticeable sign of anything.  Any thoughts would be so greatly appreciated.  Oh, yes, and I think maybe I got a few of these on my leg during one spell, and they have left a small dark spot/scar...four of them on my calf, gotten at different times.  The ones on my face have not scarred, thankfully.  Many thanks

ANSWER: Myrtle,

There are only a small number of insects or mites that actually bite people. Here's a list of common ones http://www.livingwithbugs.com/unknown_bug_bites.html that I put together a few years ago, and some things that mimic bites. There are far more things that mimic bites than actual bites. The most common are allergies, physical/chemical irritants and emotional stress. The skin lesions caused by these other things can look exactly like bug bites. I usually tell people that if you can not clearly determine what's biting (see list above) it is very likely one of the other causes. You might want to talk with a dermatologist or allergist about these possibilities. Sorry I can't be more specific. Post a follow up if you have a question.

Jack DeAngelis



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so very much for the information.  it resounds with me because I do have pretty bad allergies at certain times of the year.  One thing that makes me still think it could be some kind of a bug (although none of the common biting bugs you list seem to be possible)... is, I got a camper's insect head mask to wear at night and the last three nights with it I haven't had a 'bite' on my face, but seem to have gotten two little bites on my hands, sort of like a sting, start out annoyed, then itchy, then sting for a while, then by that night they are pretty okay.  This could be a psychosomatic response to my head-net or is there anything else in central oregon (dry high desert) that comes to mind to think of?  I will see an allergist or dermatologist, as you sugget, but just wondering if this brings any possibilities to mind?  I so greatly appreciate all of the information, and it would greatly relieve me to figure this out.  I keep thinking there is a reason that Job was afflicted with skin problems!  thanks so very  much.

Answer
I know that mosquitoes can be a problem in parts of central Oregon, especially Harney Co. Some of what you are experiencing could be mosquito bites, however these bites are generally painless but itchy. I hope the dermatologist can help.

Jack DeAngelis