Chiggers and fleas and ticks, Oh my! – Part I

This time of year most of us like to take advantage of outdoor activities such as camping, picnicking, hiking or just walking across the grass. Frequently after such activities we find ourselves scratching various and sundry areas. The most common culprits? Chiggers, fleas and ticks.

Chiggers (red bugs, harvest mites or mower’s mites) are almost microscopic relatives of spiders, ticks and scorpions. The almost insanity producing itch from the chigger “bite” is not really a bite at all. The critter that causes all the discomfort is the larval form of the insect. The adults do not bite and feed only on plants. 

Chiggers are most active in the spring and summer when the soil temperature is between 77 and 86°F. Chiggers have worldwide distribution except in the colder regions (they die in temperatures less than 42°F), deserts and high mountainous areas. They live in grasslands and are found in the vegetation of low, damp areas. They are most numerous in early summer when the grass, weeds and other vegetation are the most dense. 

After they hatch from eggs, larvae do not travel very far on their own. They tend to group together on leaves and grass usually less than a foot off the ground. They crawl onto passing animals or people and search for a patch of skin. 

They search for areas that are protected like under arms and the back of knees or where the skin is thin or areas where elastic holds clothes to the skin like around sock tops, waists and the groin area. 

The larval mites feed on the skin cells of a wide variety of animals including humans, dogs, cats, rabbits, toads, box turtles, quail and even some other insects. 

The larva crawls onto its host and drills a hole into the skin and then injects digestive enzymes into the skin that break the cells down. The chigger then sucks up the cell soup through the hole. 

The severe itching and swelling results from this process and not from a bite. They do not burrow into the skin nor do they suck blood. In humans the itching usually occurs after the larva has detached from the skin and dropped off. 

The best treatment for chigger “bites” is to take a hot bath or shower with repeated soaping to wash off any remaining larvae. For temporary relief of the itching, over the counter hydrocortisone, benzocaine, calamine lotion, antihistamine or other preparation suggested by your pharmacist or physician can be used. 

Natural remedies for chigger itch also include applying a baking soda paste to the area or adding baking soda to a warm bath. A quarter cup of aloe vera (fresh or gel) mixed with a drop of peppermint essential oil rubbed over the skin will soothe the itching. 

Perhaps one of the most effective treatments is an Epsom salt bath (1 cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath). Home remedies such as applying clear nail polish, rubbing alcohol or bleach are of no benefit because the mites do not burrow into the skin and have usually dropped off by the time the itching becomes noticeable. 

Of course the best treatment is to prevent getting chigger bites in the first place. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into long socks will help prevent chiggers from getting on the body in the first place. Use appropriately labeled insect repellants anytime you anticipate being in chigger territory. 

Although chigger bites are not of themselves dangerous, severe itching can result in overly enthusiastic scratching which can lead to raw or irritated skin. These open areas provide easy access for bacteria to cause infection. Any indication of severe reactions or infection should be attended to by a health care professional. 

Thanks to Jim “Blessed” Blancq for suggesting the topic for these columns. See Part II next week.