Sounds to me like you might have bed bugs. Check out Bed bugs....Google it...and if it seems like something you might have throw away your mattress asap!
crgiogia... sounds like you may have an excellant idea there. Not that I WANT to toss my expensive Temper-Pedic mattress(!), but the fact that "bedbugs" were the furthest thing from my mind, as a cause ! We had only returned from a mini-vacation 3 days prior to this happening, too.
I think I will check into this further...thanks so much for a new idea (-hope it's NOT what I have to deal with--but I'd rather know, if you know what I mean).
check with your doc to see if you might have scabies. they break out in the areas you describe and really start itching at night.
Thank you ALL for your king, swift replies ! Much appreciated....Curiouscat2