Mystery bug bites in Chicago area may be connected to cicadas

The cycle of the 17-year cicada may be tied to a number of bug bites reported in suburban Chicago.

CHICAGO (WGN) – The buzzing of the Brood X cicadas may have quieted in northern Illinois but some are still dealing with lingering effects.

The cicadas, which emerge every 17 years, may be tied to a number of bug bites reported in suburban Chicago.

In west suburban Elmhurst, Lauren Cullen's doctor told her they're seeing about 10 to 15 people daily with similar bites in recent days.

"We were kind of concerned because they were kind of large," she said, sharing the below photo of a bite her husband experienced with Nexstar's WGN.

University of Illinois horticulture educator Ken Johnson said a similar situation happened in 2007, the last time the 17-year cicadas emerged. According to a University of Illinois report examining the last outbreak, "the rash of bites is associated with the 17-year cicada."

More specifically, the bites are believed to be caused by Pyemotes mites, which thrive when cicada broods emerge.

Johnson said the cicadas lay their eggs — which the mites love to feast on — in tree branches, which provide the covered environment needed for the mites to multiply.

You may be exposed to these mite bites while doing any activity, like hiking or sitting, under trees that have been infested, including oak trees and anywhere cicada egg nests were made, Paula Shrewsbury with the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland explains. The mites may also be caught in the wind and land on you.

"If you're concerned, about these, try to avoid areas that may potentially have these mites," Johnson said. "If you've got areas that have a lot of evidence of cicada egg-laying, that may be an area to avoid. Cover up as much of your skin as possible. Typically, people most frequently have these [bites] on their neck, shoulder area."

If you have been in an area where the mites may be, Shrewsbury recommends bathing as soon as possible. Bug sprays used to prevent mosquitos and ticks have not been shown to prevent mite bites.

The symptoms — which can set in about 10 to 16 hours after exposure to the mites — include itching, rash, and bumps or welts. The bites can be uncomfortable and cause itching, but they usually clear up on their own and don't require medical attention.

You can use a product that provides relief from itching if you can't resist the scratching, Shrewsbury says.

Once the cicada eggs have hatched, a process that takes between six to 10 weeks, the mites should disappear as well. For those in the Chicago area, that could take until the end of August.