Chiggers are microscopic mites that thrive in grassy or wooded environments near bodies of water. They thrive in hot weather, especially in summer, sticking to your clothing and biting your skin. Chigger bites an itch at the site of the bite, usually along the seams of tight-fitting garments.


What Exactly Are Chigger Bites?


Chigger larvae will stick to your clothing and feed on your skin. Chigger larvae inject a liquid chemical into your skin, killing skin cells (digestive enzyme). The dead skin cells produce a tiny straw (stylostome) through which the chigger can consume your skin. The chigger's toxin causes severe itching for the first 24-48 hours before gradually subsiding over the next two weeks. If you scratch, chiggers will fall off your skin. Chigger bites can afflict anyone who comes into contact with chiggers on their clothing when outdoors in grassy, wet, or forested regions.


Chiggers Bite Where?


Chiggers reside in grassy or forested places and attach themselves to your clothing. They prefer to feed where your skin and clothing come into close contact, such as waistbands, bra lines, and sock lines, or where your skin folds. Chiggers commonly bite in the following areas, which you can also see in pictures:

  • Ankles
  • Lower your legs
  • Between your knees
  • Waist
  • Groin

Chigger Bite Symptoms

Chigger bites can cause the following Symptoms:

  • Several chiggers can typically latch onto a person going through an infectious region. When the chigger comes off, crimson pimples appear. A brilliant red dot in the centre may be visible; this is a relic of the tube your skin created in reaction to the chigger's saliva. The bumps could resemble welts, blisters, pimples, or hives.
  • Chiggers can remain attached to the same location for several days, and being bitten by more than one is usual. As a result, bites will typically occur in clusters and grow in size over several days to a week.
  • Many insects prefer to bite exposed skin easily accessible, and Chiggers like to bite in skin folds and locations where clothing fits firmly. Chigger bites are most common at the ankles, waist, armpits, crotch, and behind the knees.
  • When the chigger latches on, you won't feel anything, and you won't feel anything when it bites. However, most people have symptoms within hours of being bitten. The most annoying symptom of chigger bites is acute itching and the desire to scratch. Chigger bites on the penis can result in intense itching, swelling, and painful urination.

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Treatment of Chigger Bites

Following are some Treatment for chigger bites:

  • Chigger bites can take between one and three weeks to recover. If you suspect you have chigger bites, wash your hands promptly with soap and water, which will remove any leftover chiggers from your body. Then, if there are any welts, use an antiseptic.
  • Meanwhile, try not to scratch, as this might lead to infection. You can treat itching with over-the-counter drugs such as hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. To ease the itching, apply ice to the bites.
  • Avoid taking really hot baths or showers. Consult your doctor if you become infected or if your symptoms do not improve. Chiggers do not burrow under the skin, contrary to popular belief, and they don't. Therefore there's no point in attempting to delete them.
  • If extreme itching leads to an infection in which the skin gets red, swells, or exudes pus, your doctor may prescribe medicines.

Prevention From Chigger Bite

Prevention from Chigger bites can be done by doing the following:

  • Wearing protective attire when going outside (long sleeve shirts, tall socks, long pants tucked into boots).
  • To resist insects and mites, spray garments with pesticides before outside activities.
  • Using insect repellent or bug spray.
  • Avoiding outdoor activities near grassy, damp, and wooded regions during the summer when temperatures are high.

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What Causes Chigger Bites?

You could get bitten if you stroll through an area where chiggers live.

  • Grass fields have become overgrown.
  • Forested areas.
  • Gardens.
  • Soil near water that is moist.
  • Humidity levels of 80% or higher.
  • Chiggers will adhere to your clothing and then travel onto your skin, biting.

Conclusion

You must wear long sleeves and long pants that can be easily tucked into your socks or shoes and utilize insect or tick repellent to ensure safety from chigger bites and shower as soon as you go indoors. You must also wash your clothes in hot water to be safer.


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Source: https://instacare.pk/blog/chigger-bites-symptoms-causes-treatment-and-prevention