What to do about Chigger Bites
Most people in Knoxville and East Tennessee are familiar with chiggers. Those pesky little bugs are abundant in the woods of East Tennessee.
For those less familiar, chiggers are the larvae of harvest mites (also known as red bugs). They are so small, that they often can’t be seen without a magnifying glass. They are usually found in wooded or grassy areas, and most people encounter chiggers when they are walking through these areas.
Chiggers feed on humans and do so by jumping from grass or brush onto humans passing by. They prefer moist areas such as the ankles, wrists, thighs, groin and waist. From there, they burrow into a pore where they feed on skin cells. This feeding usually takes place over the course of a few days. Once the mite is done feeding, it detaches and falls off.
In the mean time, the host may develop itchy, red bumps on the skin that can last anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks. Some people may also develop a rash around the bite or even a fever caused by allergic reactions.
In the U.S., chiggers aren’t known to carry any communicable diseases. However, in Asia and the Pacific, they may carry a disease called scrub typhus. This is something for overseas travelers to keep in mind.
The best way to prevent chigger bites is to be well covered when walking through wooded areas, leaving as little skin exposed as possible. Covering any exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the ingredient dimethyl phthalate will help ward off chiggers. Tick repellent is also a useful deterrent.
If you find yourself with a chigger bite, a dermatologist can prescribe an ointment that should help alleviate the intense itching these bites can cause.
If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.
