Large red, itchy bumps

Today, I woke up with around 15 large, red, itchy bumps on my back and stomach.  There are also three itchy bumps on my right ankle.  I am currently working in the woods for conservation research and I am minoring in Entomology.  I have pretty much ruled out scabies and chiggers because there are no scabs or areas that indicate their burying.  I checked my bed at the apartment for bed bugs and haven't found any skins or stains.  I have been here for a week already and only just now started getting the bumps.  While submitting these I also just found another bump near my collarbone.

Here are some pictures (i had to use my laptop camera so you can't see all the bumps):
http://i52.tinypic.com/wj9ybo.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/295ea68.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2r5qc6v.jpg three bites on my ankle, they're kind of hard to see

Thanks for the help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like insect bites or bites of arthropods. Since you are in the woods hence you are predisposed to insect and arthropod bites. Please do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections. You may apply a mild steroid cream like 1% hydrocortisone cream and take OTC anthistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin. In case of intense itching an oral dose of anti-histamine like Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton is very effective in relieving itch. Once the itch stops, you will stop scratching as well and the healing will take place faster.

But if the symptoms do not improve or worsen then consult a dermatologist as a course of antibiotics and a jab of steroid may be needed to stop the inflammation.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.