# If Paper Mites Don't Exist, Why Am I So Itchy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287 "2013-04-10T03:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/21 "2013-04-11T12:35:17Z")
I tend to get itchier in the winter (related to dry skin and lower humidity from central heating), but amazingly it has been abating in recent weeks. What with the dust containing who knows what antigens that the OP has been exposed to, it’s not surprising there might be skin irritants involved, plus a potential dose of psychosomatic response to the thought of mites. Joni Mitchell might have sound advice, or not (haven’t heard any interviews with her since [the CDC’s study](http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/01/26/morgellons_disease_the_cdc_study_that_debunks_the_skin_ailment_.html) showing no infectious agents involved in “Morgellons disease”). ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/22 "2013-04-11T14:51:03Z")
It’s probably just the paper dust that’s making you itchy. I seem to be more sensitive to dust on my skin and inhaled dust than I used to be. Look at paper particles in a magnifying glass and I bet you’ll find they are full of sharp edges. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/23 "2013-04-11T14:59:38Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > (And I would add I have also royally rooted one shredder and had to buy another). Please, for the love of god – tell me you’re not Australian. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/24 "2013-04-11T15:01:49Z")
If you live in a very dry climate, you may have very dry skin. Try skin lotion. I use Eucerin. (Apologies to moderator if I’m not allowed to recommend a specific product.) ---
**Author:** ![conway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@conway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conway)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/25 "2013-04-11T15:08:21Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > Also another vote for bonfire. No, that’ll just invite fire mites. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287/26 "2013-04-11T15:15:31Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > (And I would add I have also royally rooted one shredder If you’ve been rooting shredders, then I guess that itch is well and truly scratched now! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paper-mites-dont-exist-why-am-i-so-itchy/655287.md?page=1)