• Aging and Sex
  • For men
    • Multi Vitamin for Him CPA
    • Practical Tips to Maintain Sexual Virility
    • ProSolution Plus is a Natural Remedy For Premature Ejaculation
  • for women
    • Breast Actives CPA
    • Four Ways To Look Young
    • Ten Ways to Look Like a Model Bride
  • Home Based Business
    • AWESOME EASY CASH MONEY TO YOU TODAY!
    • Craft Idea for a Group: Make a Mural
    • DIGISOFT PAYLINE How to Make Instant Money Now DIGISOFT PAYLINE
    • Getting Your Family Involved In Your Home Business
    • Home Based Real Estate Investing
    • Home Based Real Estate Investing
    • How To Become A Work At Home Mom
    • How to Get Free Rent
    • Make Extra Cash & Work From Home!
    • Strategies for Success in the Exciting and Lucrative Home-Based Business of Jewelry & Gemstones
    • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY
    • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR!
  • How you can Regain your Youthful Appearance without Expensive Treatments or Surgery!
  • Intelligent nutritional supplements
    • Antioxidants Nutrients Have Powerful Anti-Cancer Activity!
    • AsthmaMist CPA
    • What Are Phytoceramides?
    • Cleanse the Body, Curb Unhealthy Cravings, and Lose Weight with ProShape Rx
  • interesting idea, hobby
    • Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
    • Wedding Crafts Ideas for Saving Money
  • Natural products for weight loss
    • Natural Weight Loss Products
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Health and Beauty

The site is about the beauty and health of men, women, children

  • Home

Enter your email address:

Spam Blocked

18,994 spam blocked by Akismet

Chiggers

  • Health

Adult chigger mite.

What do chiggers look like?

Chiggers are barely visible to the naked eye (their length is less than 1/150th of an inch). A magnifying glass may be needed to see them. They are red in color and may be best appreciated when clustered in groups on the skin. The juvenile forms have six legs, although the (harmless) adult mites have eight legs.

Bad Bugs: Identify Bug Bites From Mosquitos, Spiders and More

A woman walks barefoot through the grass.

How do chiggers bite humans?

Chigger mites infest human skin via areas of contact with vegetation, such as pant cuffs or shirt sleeves and collars. They migrate on the skin in search of an optimal feeding area. A common myth about chiggers is that they burrow into and remain inside the skin. This is not true. Chiggers insert their feeding structures into the skin and inject enzymes that cause destruction of host tissue. Hardening of the surrounding skin results in the formation of a feeding tube called a stylostome. Chigger larvae then feed upon the destroyed tissue. If they are not disturbed (which is rarely the case because they cause substantial itching) they may feed through the stylostome for a few days.

The chigger’s mouth and feeding structures are delicate and are best able to penetrate the skin at areas of wrinkles, folds, or other areas of skin that are thin. Most bites occur around the ankles, the crotch and groin areas, behind the knees, and in the armpits. Barriers to migration on the skin such as belts may be one reason that chigger bites also commonly occur at the waist or at other areas where their migration is prevented by compression from clothing. The location of chigger bites contrasts with that of mosquito bites, which are usually in exposed areas of skin where mosquitoes can land.

Itchy red welts from chigger bites on a man's leg.

What are the symptoms of chigger bites?

A chigger bite itself is not noticeable. After the chigger has begun to inject digestive enzymes into the skin (usually after about 1-3 hours), symptoms and signs typically begin.

  • Pronounced itching is the most common symptom.
  • The area of the bite may be reddened, flat, or raised; sometimes it resembles a pustule or blister.
  • The itch is due to the presence of the stylostome and usually is most intense within 1-2 days after the bite.
  • The itching persists for several days, and complete resolution of the skin lesions can take up to two weeks.
  • If multiple bites are present, the condition may be mistaken for eczema or allergic contact dermatitis. A history of outdoor activity can suggest that chigger bites are the cause of itching and characteristic skin changes.

First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow

A bottle of Calamine lotion.

What is the treatment for chigger bites?

Many home remedies for chigger bites are based upon the incorrect belief that chiggers burrow into and remain in the skin. Nail polish, alcohol, and bleach have been applied to the bites to attempt to get rid of the chiggers by “suffocating” or killing the chiggers. But because the chiggers are not present in the skin, these methods are not effective. Home remedies to help relieve the itching associated with chigger bites may help some people. These can include

  • Taking a cool shower or applying cool compresses
  • Sitting in a cool bath
  • Using bath products that contain colloidal oatmeal
  • Using certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications

OTC medicine for chigger bites

Treatment for chigger bites is directed toward relieving the itching and inflammation. Calamine lotion and corticosteroid creams may be used to control itching. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may also be used for symptom relief.

Intense itching of the foot.

What are complications of chigger bites?

Chigger bites themselves do not produce any long-term complications. However, because of the intense itching, prolonged scratching may lead to skin wounds that may become infected by bacteria. Chiggers in North America are not known to carry any diseases, unlike some other arthropods.

Daily Health News

Trending on MedicineNet

A person washin glegs with soap, washing clothes and array of insect repellent lotions and bug sprays.

How can chigger bites be prevented?

Washing with soap and water after outdoor activity may remove any chiggers that may be migrating on the skin and prevent their bites. Likewise, washing clothing that was worn outdoors in hot water will kill any chiggers remaining on the clothing.

Attention to the outdoor temperature can help with prevention of chigger bites. Chiggers do not bite at colder temperatures (below 60 F or 15.5 C). Chiggers also are not found in areas hotter than 99 F or 37.2 C, so hot rocky areas on sunny days can provide chigger-free seats.

As with mosquito bites, proper outdoor clothing can help prevent chigger bites. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts as well as thick socks and high shoes or boots can help prevent infestation. Pants legs should be tucked into shoes or boots if possible.

All mosquito repellents (such as DEET), applied to skin and clothing, are effective at repelling chiggers.

Reviewed on 9/13/2017

References

REFERENCE: Bruns, BD, DO. “Insect Bites.” Medscape. Updated: May 16, 2017.
IMAGES:

1.MedicineNet

2.Luc Viatour / www.Lucnix.be (Wikipedia)

3.iStockphoto

4.Flickr

5.WebMD – Steve Pomberg

6.iStockphoto

7.iStockphoto

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

September 14, 2017 admin

Post navigation

Nanoswitch Helps Improve Health Monitoring → ← Know why Indian diet is best for an effective weight loss

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies 1,695 views
  • ‘Love Hormone’ Oxytocin May Enhance Feelings Of Spirituality 942 views
  • Ginseng: Root of Immortality 843 views
  • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR! 828 views
  • Get Rid of Cellulite, Once and For All! 695 views
  • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY 687 views
  • Breast Actives CPA 660 views
  • Make Extra Cash & Work From Home! 614 views

Popular articles

  • Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies 1,695 views | under alternative medetsina
  • ‘Love Hormone’ Oxytocin May Enhance Feelings Of Spirituality 942 views | under alternative medetsina
  • Ginseng: Root of Immortality 843 views | under alternative medetsina
  • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR! 828 views
  • Get Rid of Cellulite, Once and For All! 695 views | under Body Health
  • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY 687 views
  • Breast Actives CPA 660 views
  • Make Extra Cash & Work From Home! 614 views
Buy Brand Drugs

Archives

Powered by WordPress | theme SG Double