Chicago Area Local News

by Katie Foutz, Naperville Sun staff writer
(Naperville Sun) It might be a mite.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says the oak leaf gall mite, also known as an itch mite, is the likely culprit behind severely itchy, red bites on hundreds of suburban Chicago residents. Experts at the University of Nebraska Extension are working to identify the bugs, which can only be seen through a microscope.

Meanwhile, state health officials are offering advice on how to deal with - and prevent - bites from the minuscule mite.

"The bites we are seeing do not pose a major health threat - they mostly cause an annoying, intense itch," Dr. Eric Whitaker, director of the state public health department, said in a statement. "Do not scratch the bites, however, or you could cause an infection, which would create other health problems. I suggest using an anti-itch cream for the bites or taking an oral antihistamine."

Some residents are finding their own ways of dealing with the outbreak. Warrenville resident Grace Garcia said tea tree oil, a skin-care product, relieved the itching and swelling of her bites.

"I was ready to go to the doctor because I didn't know what it was - was it a bed bug? A tick?" she said. "But this took care of the itch right away."

The oak leaf gall mite caused a similar outbreak in 2004 in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas and is believed to be a likely cause of this outbreak. Illinois health department crews have set sticky traps in wooded and grassy areas and sent the results to entomologists at the University of Nebraska Extension.

The itch mite feeds on the larvae of a small fly, according to the health department. The larvae are found in brown, crusty shells on the edge of oak leaves and are known as galls. However, mites may drop from trees and bite people when looking for food. Oak leaf gall mites are so small, they can float on the wind and pass through window or door screens as well as loosely-woven clothing.

The mites usually are on a person's body about four hours before they bite, the health department said. The bite site will develop red welts that look like chigger bites - but on the neck, face, arms and upper body. Unlike chiggers, itch mites are not typically found on the legs and do not hurt when they bite. The bites form into pimple-like lesions after 10 to 16 hours. The bites cause intense itching and last for up to two weeks.

To help prevent being bitten, the health department suggests:

-If you see brown and crusty edges on oak tree leaves, be aware that mite activity is possible. Don't sit under oak trees or on nearby lawns.

-If you are in an area where itch mite associated rashes are occurring, or nearby oak trees have brown and crusty edges, keep windows shut from August through October when "mite showers" can occur.

-Remove clothing items each day and launder them.

-Take a warm, soapy shower after coming indoors, especially after gardening, raking leaves or performing other outdoor activities.

Using DEET insect repellents against mites is not proven to be effective, but you should wear insect repellent to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus.

Don't worry about mites surviving in your home because they need to feed on insect larvae, the health department said. Spraying oak trees is not effective against mites, and tree removal is not necessary because these mites are not likely to be a problem every year.

(CBS 2, the Naperville Sun and the Aurora Beacon-News are news partners covering stories in the western suburbs of Chicago.)