While annoying, chigger bites are fairly easy to treat.
Better yet, you’re free to take steps to prevent them.
This article describes what chiggers are, how they bite, and the symptoms they cause.
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It also explains how to treat and prevent chigger bites.
Claudia Nass / Getty Images
What Are Chiggers?
Chiggers are the larvae (babies) of harvest mites, orTrombiculidae.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Closely related toticks, the mites arearachnidsand part of the same family that includesspidersandscorpions.
Chiggers are so small that you’re unlikely to ever see them.
And as small as the mites are, their larvae are even tinier.
You may not even be aware of them until you feel them bite you.
Humans actually aren’t the first feasting choice of chiggers, since people can easily brush them away.
Birds and reptiles are the preferred prey.
But chiggers will grab onto any kind of “meal” they can find when they’re hungry.
In North America, chiggers are relatively harmless.
In Asia, chiggers can spread scrub typhus, a disease sparked by bacteria.
People with severe cases can develop organ failure and even die if the disease goes untreated.
How Chiggers Bite
Chiggers' mouths are similar to those of ticks, but smaller.
They are so small, in fact, that they can’t hold on very tight.
When chiggers bite, they inject saliva into the skin.
The saliva contains enzymes that liquefy skin cells.
Then the chiggers suck out the liquid.
Chigger Bite Signs and Symptoms
The irritation from a chigger bite leads toitching.
Scratching increases this risk.
It’s important to keep an eye on any bite, no matter how small.
Pus and crust around a bite after 24 hours can indicateimpetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection.
Then you could focus on soothing your symptoms.
you’ve got the option to get rid of them by simply brushing them away.
If you haven’t already started itching, take a warm shower or bath.
Then follow it with a vigorous skin massage.
If youhavestarted itching, be forewarned that showering or bathing probably won’t provide much relief at this point.
Launder the clothes you were wearing at the time you were bitten with hot, soapy water.
If you feel the need to itch despite these strategies, try tapping your skin instead of scratching it.
Can Nail Polish Get Rid of Chiggers?
These tactics won’t work because mites don’t burrow in the skin.
Summary
Chiggers are the larvae of harvest mites.
They are very tiny, so you’re unlikely to notice them unless they bite you.
Chiggers attach to the surface of the skin and inject saliva when they bite.
The saliva contains enzymes that liquefy skin cells.
The chiggers then suck out the liquid.
Scratching and burning, severe itching, and red spots are signs you’ve been bitten.
Chigger bites can become infected, and scratching increases the risk of infection.
Wash them off and apply an over-the-counter lotion like calamine to find relief.
Simply brush them away.
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