I recently moved back in with my parents and am experiencing a strange reaction...the weird thing is, it only occurs after I sleep at my parent's home. First a small red mark appears, like an insect bite. Then over the next few days, the area around the mark balloons and becomes firm and red, also a little itchy. Right now I have four of these areas...one is on my face and the others are on my arms. (I look like I've been beat up!) The swelling is incredible, but I don't think this is simple hives because there is a small, weeping blister in the middle of every area (like an insect bite). Two doctors couldn't figure it out...one finally told me I had an allergy to mites. The thing is, I have NO other symptoms whatsoever, no shortness of breath, etc., to indicate an "allergy." It does not seem like a spider bite because there is no necrosity. Afterwards, the areas just sort of fade away. We have tried washing sheets, etc, but to no avail. Last time this happened, it looked like I had a baseball under the skin on top of my knee. The swelling is that bad... I have absolutely no other allergies and am at a loss. Please, someone help me so I can go out in public again!

I have never really heard of anything like this, but if it is an allergy to mites then you can get allergy covers for your mattresses, pillows, blankets, etc... It certainly can't hurt to try. There is a company called National Allergy Supply, that sells them. Just do a search for them online. They have a catalog and a website, and you can order dust and mite covers for your bed. Also, if you have any stuffed animals in your bed, get rid of them because they will attract mites. Is it possible that something might be flying in through an open window during the night and biting you?

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck,

Elyse

Yep. Its hives.

Well, I talked to my mom, who said that she thinks that I was bitten by a tiny red spider (chigger?). She said this happened to her too. I guess moms know best, or that we have a genetic allergy to chiggers. I don't think it was hives at all, but a local reaction to a biting insect. I WAS in the woods that day, so I guess I picked up the bug there. Anyone else have this reaction to tiny, bright red spider-like things?

I have had simular reaction to chiggers!