Question: My husband and I have been bothered with chiggers. We have tried everything for the itching – alcohol, peroxide, sprays, lotions, nail polish and cream from the doctor. This has been going on for about four months, and they seem to be spreading. What can be done?
Answer: First, I’ll describe what chiggers are and why they cause itching. Then I’ll tell you how to prevent and treat them. You and you doctor can decide if you really have chigger bites.
Chiggers are microscopic insects in the mite family. They are arachnids and are closely related to ticks. It is the larval form of the mite that bites. Interestingly, after they feast on humans and other animals, they mature and eat only the eggs of certain other insects.
Chiggers do not burrow under the skin, as is commonly believed. Instead, when chigger larvae bite, they insert a mouth part that injects saliva into a skin pore or hair follicle. This dissolves the skin cells it contacts into a liquid that the chigger can ingest. After a few hours, the tissues surrounding the withdrawn liquid harden, creating a tube-like structure. This structure, called a stylostome, acts like a drinking straw, allowing more saliva to be injected, and more liquefied skin to be withdrawn. This is what creates the appearance of burrowing.
It is the stylostome that causes the itching and characteristic red welt to form. The itchiness can be quite severe and usually peaks about two days after the bite. The stylostome is destroyed by your body in about 10 days.
Chiggers are found in grassy places, and in thick brush. They are most active when the ground temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees and become inactive below 60 degrees.
Chiggers are found in grassy places, and in thick brush. They are most active when the ground temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees and become inactive below 60 degrees.
Prevention is the best way to manage chiggers. Wear clothes that prevent chiggers from making contact with your skin. Long-sleeved shirts, tightly woven socks, pants tucked inside of boot tops, and buttoned cuffs will all reduce chigger bites. Most mosquito repellants will fend off chiggers, too, so it’s good idea to use these products when you go into fields or woods or if you plan to sit on the grass. Remember to reapply it every few hours since repellants only last a few hours.
After you return from any potential exposure, a hot bath with lots of soap will wash many chiggers off before they have a chance to bite. If you have been bitten, over-the-counter creams with benzocaine or camphor-phenol can help reduce the itching.
It’s also a good idea to wash clothes that are potentially chigger-infested in hot, soapy water. Unlaundered clothes or clothes washed in cool water will allow chiggers to survive.
It’s also a good idea to wash clothes that are potentially chigger-infested in hot, soapy water. Unlaundered clothes or clothes washed in cool water will allow chiggers to survive.
Unless you keep getting re-infested with chiggers, it seems unlikely to me that you would still be itching from chiggers after four months. You and your husband need to see your physician for a reevaluation of your rashes. What you have may not be chiggers at all.
