What are chiggers?
Chiggers, also known as red bugs, are tiny larvae members of the Trombiculidae family. They are often found in tall weeds and grass, where they wait to attach to a passing human or animal host. Chiggers themselves are nearly invisible to the naked eye, measuring only about 1/150 to 1/120 inches. They are red or orange in color.
Once a chigger latches onto a host, it injects saliva that prevents blood from clotting. The chigger then feeds on skin cells and lymph fluid for 3-4 days before dropping off. Chiggers do not actually “bite”, so they do not transmit any diseases. However, they can cause uncomfortable itching and irritation in the skin.
Common symptoms of chigger bites
Chigger bites usually produce the following symptoms:
– Intense itching, often starting 3-6 hours after exposure to chiggers
– Small red welts on the skin, usually around thin or wrinkled areas like waistbands, socks, or armpits
– A “bullseye” appearance, with a central raised welt surrounded by a red circle
– Continued itching, often for up to 2 weeks
– Thickening or hardening of the skin due to constant scratching
The most common locations for chigger bites include:
– Waistline and belly button
– Armpits
– Groin
– Behind knees
If you experience severe itching and notice small red bumps in these areas, especially after spending time outdoors in grassy areas, it is likely you have been bitten by chiggers. The itching can range from a nuisance to unbearable, depending on the number of bites and your sensitivity.
How to check for chiggers
Here are some steps you can take to confirm if your itchy bumps are due to chiggers:
– Look closely at the bumps – chigger welts are typically tiny, raised, and red. You may see a small dot in the center of the bite where the chigger attached itself.
– Note the location – chiggers tend to bite in thin skinned areas like the waist, armpits, and behind knees. If your bumps appeared in these spots after being outside, chiggers may be the cause.
– Consider when symptoms started – chigger bites usually cause itching 3-6 hours after exposure, with welts appearing a day or so later. If this timeframe matches up with your symptoms, chiggers are likely to blame.
– Check for “tracks” – chiggers tend to move across the skin in a straight line, leaving a trail of bites. Look for linear arrangements of bites or welts.
– Look for bites on others – if you were with other people in grassy areas, ask them if they have similar bumps in the common chigger areas. If they do, you likely all suffered chigger bites.
– Use a magnifying glass – chiggers are tiny, so use a magnifying glass to examine your bumps closely. The bites may reveal a small red dot where the chigger was attached.
– Consider other bugs – bites from fleas, mosquitoes, spiders, and bed bugs can also resemble chigger bites, so consider if you could have been bitten by other pests. Chigger bites are more likely if you were in tall grass.
If you have the typical symptoms of severe itching and small red bumps in the common chigger areas, you likely have chigger bites. See your doctor if swelling and itching last more than a few days.
Treatment for chigger bites
Chigger bites usually heal on their own without needing medical treatment. Here are some remedies you can try at home to relieve the itching and discomfort of chigger bites:
– Apply cool compresses to the affected areas several times a day. The cold temperature helps reduce swelling, redness, and itching sensations.
– Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine, like Benadryl. Antihistamines blocks the histamines released in the skin in response to chigger bites.
– Apply hydrocortisone cream 1% directly to the welts and bites. Hydrocortisone helps control inflammation and itching.
– Take a warm oatmeal bath. The oatmeal helps soothe irritated skin. You can also create a wet paste of oatmeal and apply it directly to chigger bites.
– Apply calamine lotion to the affected areas. Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide, which helps protect skin and ease itching.
– Use a baking soda paste. Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water, and spread onto blisters to reduce swelling and itchiness.
– Try not to scratch, as this can lead to infection and scarring. Distract yourself and keep nails trimmed short if needed.
If at-home treatment does not provide relief within a few days, see your doctor. They may prescribe a stronger topical steroid treatment. Signs of infection like pus, worsening swelling, heat, and redness also warrant medical attention.
How to prevent chigger bites
When spending time outdoors, especially in wooded, grassy areas, you can take the following precautions to avoid chigger bites:
– Wear long pants and long sleeves when possible. Tuck pants into socks and shirt into pants to keep chiggers from crawling under clothes. Light colored clothing can help you spot chiggers.
– Apply DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing. DEET is effective at repelling chiggers.
– Perform frequent tick checks when outdoors. Chiggers move slowly, so you may be able to spot and kill them before they bite you.
– Take a warm soapy shower immediately after coming inside. This washes away any chiggers still on your skin.
– Place clothing in the dryer for 15-20 minutes. The heat will kill any lingering chiggers.
– Avoid sitting on the ground or grass while outside. Chiggers wait in vegetation for a host to brush up against.
– Clear tall brush and weeds from around your property. This eliminates chigger habitats.
– Treat your yard with pesticides if needed. Consult a professional exterminator for products effective against chiggers.
With some diligence about protective clothing, repellent, and carefully checking for chiggers after time outdoors, you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing their irritating bites.
Conclusion
Chigger bites can create days of miserable itching, but with proper treatment they do resolve on their own. Look for the telltale red bumps and intense itching in the common chigger areas like your waist, armpits, and behind knees. Antihistamines, topical hydrocortisone, cool compresses, colloidal oatmeal, and baking soda can help manage the itching and swelling of bites. Avoid scratching to prevent infection. When spending time outdoors around vegetation, wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and perform tick checks to avoid chiggers altogether. With some care taken to prevent and treat chigger bites, you can stop these tiny pests from ruining your enjoyment of summer.
| Symptoms of Chigger Bites |
|---|
| Intense itching |
| Small red welts on skin |
| “Bullseye” pattern |
| Continued itching for weeks |
| Thickening and hardening of skin |
| Common Chigger Bite Locations |
|---|
| Waistline and belly button |
| Armpits |
| Groin |
| Behind knees |
| At-Home Treatment for Chigger Bites |
|---|
| Cool compresses |
| Antihistamines like Benadryl |
| Hydrocortisone cream |
| Oatmeal baths |
| Calamine lotion |
| Baking soda paste |
| How to Prevent Chigger Bites |
|---|
| Wear long pants and sleeves |
| Use DEET insect repellent |
| Perform tick checks after being outside |
| Take a shower after coming inside |
| Dry clothes on high heat after wearing outside |
| Avoid sitting on the bare ground |
| Clear tall grass and brush around your home |
| Apply pesticides if needed |