Mystery Bites

Often a dermatologist or other medical providers are needed to resolve the issue with mystery bites.

Among the millions of insects, spiders, mites and related creatures in the world, only a few species affect us directly with their allergens, stings, bites and blood-sucking tendencies. The itchy bite of a mosquito or the painful sting of a yellowjacket are both familiar and easy to identify. Harder to see are scabies mites and even head lice, but these conditions are well-known and treated with medications.

Sometimes it’s not a bite

Occasionally a person will feel itching or pin prick sensations and become overly worried that some invisible insect or mite is biting them, when none can be found. This could be the condition known as Ekbom syndrome, delusory parasitosis, or DP for short. People who have DP have an unshakable, yet false, belief that they are infested with insects, mites, worms or some other parasitic organism, when none can be found.
 

(also called delusory parasitosis)

Because Ekbom Syndrome is a health condition, cooperative extension agents (and anyone who is not a medical practitioner) should not attempt to diagnose this condition in others. In fact, entomologists and cooperative extension agents can only determine if an arthropod is identifiable in a sample. Other medical, environmental and household product-related health issues must be determined by other means. However, it is important for scientists and the public to be aware of the signs of Ekbom Syndrome and understand how to respond.

Common Behaviors of Ekbom Syndrome

Picking at Skin

Common behaviors attributed to Ekbom Syndrome include subjects scratching the skin raw, picking at scabs, and collecting household dirt, debris, scabs and hair for identification. Long ago, this became known as “matchbox syndrome” as subjects would sometimes collect evidence into matchboxes for examination. Often, samples like these contain no identifiable arthropods, yet the submitter insists that their experience is real.

Belief that Insects or Mites are Burrowing into the Skin

Common beliefs are that insects or mites are burrowing into the skin, reproducing inside the person’s body or orifices, flying around, or surviving pesticide treatments. It is also common for individuals to believe that the bugs can disappear and reappear or change color.

Excessive Laundering

Subjects might also wash bed linens and clothing repeatedly, compulsively clean or even use dangerous chemicals on their skin or in their home in an attempt to treat what they believe is biting them. Repeated exposure to cleaning chemicals, rubbing alcohol and pesticides can worsen itching sensations and create a dangerous cycle.

Bird Mites

A specific fear among Ekbom Syndrome subjects is that bird mites are to blame for their condition. Bird mites, visible to the naked eye, parasitize birds and live in the nest materials when they are not within the feathers of a host. Birds nesting on buildings can bring mites into contact with humans, but bird mites cannot live without their avian hosts. They do not infest homes or the human body and will die off in a matter of days once the birds leave the nest.