ENT-58
INVISIBLE ITCHES:
Insect and Non-Insect Causes Michael F. Potter
O nce in a while, nearly everyone
experiences the irritation of an
unexpected itch or the sensation of
or mites), 2) personal use products, 3)
environmental factors, or 4) health-
related conditions. Specific agents most
body is another key consideration in
determining if pests are causing the
irritation as well as which species is
something crawling over the skin. Other often implicated as irritants are summa- involved.
times, the irritation may feel more like rized in Table 1 and discussed in detail Fleas are the most common source
an insect bite. These reactions can below. of insect bites within homes. Fleas are
become so annoying for some people fast-moving, reddish-brown insects that
that they are forced to seek professional Obscure Biting Arthropods jump when disturbed, but, at about 1/8"
help. Even though actual pests may not In some cases, insects or minute, long, they are large enough to be seen.
have been observed, the irritation is biting mites prove to be the source of They usually bite people around the
often attributed to “bugs,” and an irritation. Although these pests are quite ankles, producing a small, red, hard-
insecticide is applied in the hope that small, most are visible upon close ened, and slightly raised welt. Fleas are
the problem will be resolved. Unfortu- examination (Figure 1). The location most often associated with pets,
nately, pesticides seldom work in these and appearance of bites or welts on the although the presence of mice, rats,
situations, and they may even cause
irritation and additional health prob- Figure 1. Arthropod pests most often responsible for bites and itches of unknown origin: (a)
lems. flea, (b) louse, (c) bird mite, (d) chigger, (e) scabies mite. Note scale indicating actual size.
It is important to recognize that
there are many potential causes of
itching and irritation other than pests.
Allergies, cosmetics, medications, and
environmental contaminants all can
produce reactions similar to insect bites.
While this makes the experience no less
real or unpleasant for the affected
individual, it underscores the impor-
tance of keeping an open mind to the
possibility of non-insect causes of such A.
reactions. Much like a detective, one
should attempt to rule out all potential
sources of irritation through the process
of elimination. This publication will
help you to determine if the irritation a
person is experiencing is due to pests or
to other (non-insect) causes.
Sources of Irritation
Itches and real or perceived bites of
unknown origin can usually be attrib-
uted to one of four general sources: 1)
obscure biting arthropods (e.g., insects
squirrels, skunks, or raccoons can also intensely within 24-48 hours after and certain types of clothing, particu-
result in fleas infesting a home. Consult exposure to the mite. Consequently, larly those which contain fire retardants.
Extension publication ENT-38, Fleas, if people may not associate the irritation If a connection can be made between
you suspect fleas are the source of with the fact that they were bitten while irritation and exposure to one of these
irritation. walking outdoors a day or two before. potential irritants, avoiding further
Lice may also cause intense itching Delayed irritation following a “bug” exposure may correct the problem. A
and irritation. Infestations occur on the bite is also common with such pests as dermatologist can usually confirm that a
head and other hairy areas of the body. mosquitoes and ticks, as well as with product, rather than a pest, is causing
Lice are tiny, grayish-white insects, but the contact dermatitis which results the irritation.
are visible under close inspection. from exposure to poison ivy/poison
Because lice cannot survive away from oak. Environmental Factors
a human host, treatment of premises is Chiggers can be controlled by
not normally required. Consult ENT-44, keeping grass and weeds cut short and When two or more individuals
Insects on Humans: Controlling and applying a residual insecticide such as experience irritation in the absence of
Treating Reactions, for specific chlorpyrifos or diazinon. Insect pests, the cause is likely to be environ-
recommendations on controlling lice. repellents are useful for deterring bites mental conditions or contaminants
Mites are very tiny arthropods when walking through chigger-infested dispersed in the air. The irritant(s) may
which occasionally infest structures and areas. be either physical or chemical in nature.
bite people. In most cases, the infesta- Mosquitoes, ticks, and a limited Physical irritants: The most
tion can be traced to birds nesting in an number of other arthropods may also common physical irritants are tiny
attic or on a window ledge, etc., or to an bite people, but these pests are usually fragments of paper, fabric, or insulation
infestation of mice or rats. When a bird large enough to be seen at the time the (Figure 2). When these fibers contact
or rodent dies or the young leave the irritation is felt. The vast majority of the skin, they can produce symptoms
nest, thousands of parasitic mites may insects and related pests encountered in ranging from a “crawling sensation” to
migrate indoors and bite humans. Bird homes and buildings cannot bite intense itching accompanied by a rash,
and rodent mites are smaller than fleas people; yet, they are often blamed for welts, or open sores. If fibers or
and lice, but if you look closely they itching or irritation caused by other fragments are involved, the irritation is
will appear as tiny, dark specks that factors. Pests in question can be usually generalized, occurring over
move. identified by placing the specimen in a exposed areas of the body such as arms,
There are two notable exceptions vial and bringing it to your county legs, neck, and head.
where mites may be the source of agent. Irritation produced by paper
irritation but are too small to be seen If a person believes that insects too fragments is especially common in
with the naked eye. The human itch small to be seen are crawling over their offices where large quantities of paper
(scabies) mite burrows into the skin, skin, strips of clear cellophane tape may are processed daily (Figure 3). Continu-
causing intense itching and irritation. be patted over the affected area as the ous-feed paper from computers and
Skin between the fingers, the bend of “crawling” sensation is occurring. Most multi-page forms generate large
the elbow or knee, and the shoulder small biting arthropods move slowly amounts of fragments, resulting in
blades are areas most often affected. and will be picked up by the tape if accumulations on desktops and other
The intense itching is accompanied by a present. Tape samples should be surfaces. Newly installed or badly worn
rash. Scabies should be handled as a attached to a white index card and synthetic carpet, drapes, or upholstery
medical problem and is readily diag- labeled to indicate from where they also shed fibers which can irritate skin.
nosed and treated by most physicians. were collected. Other potential sources of irritation
Additional information on scabies is are insulation fibers released into the air
contained in Extension publication by heating/cooling systems in need of
ENT-44. Household Products repair and sound-deadening fibers
Chiggers also bite people and There are literally hundreds of non- embedded into drop-ceiling tiles. These
generally are too small to be seen insect agents capable of causing itching latter sources are especially suspect if
without magnification. Chiggers (the and irritation. Household products are there have been problems with the air-
larval stage of the harvest mite) live involved far more often than are pests handling system or recent repair work
outdoors in tall weeds and grass. They and may cause skin reactions similar to on the ceiling.
crawl onto people and move upward insect bites. Products most often Irritation is aggravated by static
until they encounter a point of constric- implicated include phosphate deter- electricity which increases the attraction
tion between skin and clothing, such as gents, soaps, cosmetics, ammonia-based of the tiny charged fibers to exposed
around the ankles, behind the knee, or cleaning agents, hair products, medica- skin. Low humidity, electronic equip-
at the waistline. Chigger bites produce a tions, printing inks (especially from ment, and nylon (e.g., from carpeting,
hardened, red welt which begins to itch multi-form carbonless carbon paper), upholstery, or women’s stockings) all
2
contaminants can also produce rashes
and skin irritation similar to insect bites.
Chemical contaminants most often
responsible for these reactions include
ammonia-based cleaning agents,
formaldehyde emitted from wall and
floor coverings, tobacco smoke, and
solvents and resins contained in paints,
glues, and adhesives.
Reactions to airborne chemicals
most often occur in buildings with
inadequate ventilation, especially those
that are new or have been refurbished
with new paint or wall or floor cover-
ings. If indoor air pollutants rather than
insects are suspected, you may wish to
Figure 2. Tiny fragments, such as these paper splinters (a) and insulation fibers (b), can consult an industrial hygienist who is
cause itching and irritation often mistaken for insect bites. equipped to monitor ventilation levels
and the presence of allergy-producing
contaminants. Companies specializing
in environmental health monitoring
have listings in the telephone directories
of most metropolitan areas. Additional
information on the causes of indoor air
pollution is contained in Extension
publication IP-23, Indoor Air Quality.
Health-related Conditions
Health-related conditions may be
responsible for irritation mistakenly
attributed to insects. Itching and skin
irritation are common during pregnancy
(especially during the last trimester) and
may also occur in conjunction with
Figure 3. Irritation from paper fragments is especially common in offices and wherever
files are stored. diabetes, liver, kidney, and thyroid
disease, and herpes zoster (shingles).
increase levels of static electricity and Dry air alone can cause irritation, Food allergies are another common
the potential for problems from producing a condition known as “winter cause of itching and irritation.
fragments or fibers. Static electricity itch.” As skin loses moisture, itching One’s emotional state can likewise
may also cause body hair to move, results. A similar reaction can occur induce skin reactions that can be
giving the impression of insects from changes in temperature; these tend mistaken for insect bites. Stress and
crawling over the skin. to make skin more sensitive. A skin conflict at work or home can produce
If fibers or fragments are suspected moisturizer is often helpful in these itching and irritation. The itching
of causing the reactions, floors, rugs, situations. response can be induced in other
work surfaces, and furniture should be Airborne chemical irritants: individuals simply by the “power of
thoroughly and routinely vacuumed, Indoor air pollution can be a serious suggestion”; i.e., when one person in a
and desktops and tables wiped down problem in modern office buildings and group feels an itch or bite and begins to
with a damp cloth. Static-reducing other energy-efficient structures where talk about it, others also feel the urge to
measures should also be considered air is recirculated over and over. Indoor scratch as well (a condition known as
such as raising the humidity level of the air pollution can also be a problem in Bell’s syndrome).
air and installing static-resistant mats homes. As the concentration of Delusory parasitosis is a more
and pads under chairs and electronic chemical contaminants in the air serious emotional disorder char-
equipment in offices. Anti-static sprays increases, people may experience acterized by an irrational fear that living
can be used to treat seat cushions and dizziness, headaches, and eye, nose, or organisms are infesting a person’s
nylon stockings. throat irritation. Certain air-borne body. Cases of delusory parasitosis
3
often have similar symptoms and Table 1. Principal Causes of Itches and Bites of Unknown Origin
patterns of behavior. Patients typically
report “bugs” invading their ears, nose, Obscure Biting Arthropods*
eyes, and other areas of their body. The • mites (e.g., bird, rodent, scabies)
“creatures” frequently disappear and • lice
reappear and change colors while being • fleas
observed. Specimens brought in for • chiggers
identification usually consist of bits of • biting midges/mosquitoes
dead skin, hair, lint, and miscellaneous • ticks
debris. The skin of the individual is • bedbugs
often severely irritated from desperate Household Products
scratching, excessive bathing, and • detergents (especially phosphate-based)
application of ointments. While these • soaps
occurrences may seem bizarre to • cosmetics/hair products
persons who are not affected, they are • ammonia-based cleansers
frighteningly real to the patient. • medications
Delusory parasitosis as well as other • printing inks (e.g., carbonless)
suspected emotional or medical • clothing (especially fire retardant)
conditions should be brought to the
attention of a dermatologist or other Environmental Factors
physician. A. Physical irritants
• paper, fabric, or insulation fibers
Finding a Solution • low humidity
• seasonal changes in temperature
There is no easy way to pinpoint
• static electricity
the cause of so-called “invisible” itches.
B. Chemical irritants
The most important consideration in
• formaldehyde (e.g., from particle board, wall and floor coverings)
determining if pests are involved is
• ammonia
whether anyone has actually seen or
• solvents/resins associated with paints and adhesives
captured any “bugs” Refer to the list of
• tobacco smoke
likely irritants in Table 1 and follow
• volatiles from asphalt and tar installation
suggestions that were mentioned in this
publication for alleviating the condition. Health-Related Conditions
If the problem persists, you may need to • pregnancy
employ the services of a pest control • communicable diseases (e.g., chicken pox, measles)
professional, dermatologist, and/or • stress
environmental consultant. • diabetes, liver, or kidney disorders
• food allergies
• insect phobias
*Many of these pests are large enough to be seen without magnification. One
should also consider the possibility of delayed irritation such as from bites
obtained while outdoors.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, C. Oran Little,
Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort.
Issued 8-92, 500 copies
Copyright © 1997 by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or
non-profit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice.
