LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — If you noticed your skin feeling itchier, but can’t seem to find the reason, there may be an answer to that.
FOX5 has learned about an increase in activity of a small insect called “no-see-ums,” also known as ceratopogonidae.
FOX5 visited Las Vegas Dermatology, where Dr. H.L. Greenberg said his office is seeing patients with bites from no-see-ums every day.
“Well, I haven’t seen them, but I see them. People come in and they have this red eruption. They can be anywhere. Most of the time, it’s on the leg or the back, usually exposed areas, and what we think is they have been bitten and by what,” Dr. Greenberg said.
Greenberg said by the time you realize you were bitten and are itchy, you are not sure what bit you.
Unlike a mosquito, which you sometimes can feel on you, no-see-ums are tiny and quick.
“It’s a difficult problem in that we don’t know exactly what’s causing it, but a lot of times we see them on the skin and people who are outdoors, and for those people we are recommending they use a topical treatment,” Greenberg said.
However, they are harmless enough that the Southern Nevada Health District is not tracking their activity, as their focus is primarily on mosquitoes.
According to SNHD, no-see-ums fall under the category of midges. Their wings are a lot smaller than mosquitoes, and they swarm in groups. SNHD said the recent rainfall may have an impact on their increased activity.
Dr. Greenberg suggests lemon oil or eucalyptus oil if you are bitten.
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