Can You Feel My Pain?

I guess this means that I am quarantined inside until these little buggers go away...what...the first frost? I go outside, walk across the yard and back and I have at least 5 new bites. Some of them swell to the size of a softball and itch like no other. No one...NO ONE...else in the family has been affected by these mites. I can't stand it! That means no working in the yard, no hanging out laundry, no bike rides...I am becoming a prisoner in my own home. HELP!!!

CINCINNATI -- If you can't find the bug that's been bugging (I'd use a stronger word here.) you lately, there might be an answer.
Hamilton County Public Health is warning about occurrences of insect bites from what appears to be itch mites (oak leaf gall mite) and an investigation is ongoing to confirm the source.
The health district said recent bites appear to be consistent with those from microscopic mites, which are not known to transmit disease in humans. (How can something microscopic cause so much pain?)

“We suspect the cause of these insect bites is itch mites which inhabit in tree leaves,” Health Commissioner Tim Ingram said. “The mites cannot be seen and the bites are not felt, but leave an itchy red mark that can resemble a skin rash.” (Mainly from oak trees...just like the big one that sits in the middle of our backyard.)
The mites cannot live on humans, do not survive indoors and are not known to transmit disease. The bites are described as having tiny scabs in the center of a reddened area sometimes extending 3 to 4 centimeters(I guess because I am allergic to bees something is my system cause the red inflamed bite are to be as large as several inches, hot and raised like a welt.)
Multiple bites can appear as a red rash. The lesions usually disappear in 10 to 14 days.
Symptoms are generally itching and redness at the bite location. The bites are typically located on the head, neck, arms and face and can grow in size and also become painful.
Individuals experiencing such insect bites are urged not to scratch,(Yea, and does a bear poop in the woods?) as breaks in the skin can cause an opportunity for bacterial infection.
The wingless microscopic itch mites dwell in tree leaves and therefore easily fall from trees and blow with the wind. The usual practices used to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away will work on the mites, too.
The use of insect repellents with DEET may be useful in keeping mites away as well as wearing long sleeves and pants.(Tried all of this and ended up with more bites than usual, go figure.)
Keep doors and windows closed to keep mites from blowing indoors. Microscopic mites can easily penetrate screens, so keeping windows and doors closed is also recommended.
Avoid walking near heavy woods and vegetation in the evening when mite activity is heaviest and wash the skin once indoors.
When working outdoors, especially is raking leaves, wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat, use insect repellent containing DEET and avoid direct handling of leaves and lawn clippings (And just tell me, if you are working in the yard how do you not handle leaves and lawn clippings? I think I should look into that kind of yard work, sounds pretty darn good to me.)
Remove clothing items each day and launder them, since mites can remain in the fabric for several days. Take a warm soapy shower soon after coming indoors.

Are you feeling my pain? Do you feel sorry for me yet? The good thing about all of this is...I can finish the books that I borrowed from Kathleen last year, Bryce's quilt will finally get repaired, the house will be the cleanest it has ever been, I'll be able to spend more time on the computer, I can dream of things to do in the garden, research more ideas for DIY NZ articles...and maybe, just maybe someone else will have to take the dog out.

I will spare you pictures of all my bites...Cassie always says that those are gross. But I will take inventory of the number of bites right at this very moment...wait a sec...grand total...18. I gotta go take some Benadryl, use my Benadryl extra strenght itch relief spray, and maybe even double kill with some more anti-itch lotion. HELP!!!