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Chigger is a term given to the larva of several microscopic blood-sucking mites. Unlike mosquito bites that tend to fade after a period of no more than twenty-four hours, the chigger bite can last up to three weeks. What makes this little mite so potent?
When a mosquito bites is injects an anticoagulant into the surface of the skin. This allows a free flow of blood. This insect moves quickly and is often gone before you realize you've been bit. The injected venom causes the spot to itch and often a small swollen red spot or welt appears at the point of attack. As the venom is absorbed by the surrounding tissue the swelling goes away.
However, when a chigger attacks the venom produced by the feeding is of a different nature. As a part of the arachnid or spider family it should comes as no surprise that the venom reacts similar to all those dangerous poisonous spiders we are so eager to avoid. The area of the bite is actually destroyed by the venom leaving an open wound. While the chigger bite is significantly smaller than other spiders, the bite is no less toxic for its size.
You might wonder then is it itchy instead of painful. The answer once again is its small size. An itch is in fact how our brains recognize small skin pain. The skin response is pain, but the lack of size sends the signal to the brain and instead of perceiving it as pain, we perceive it as an itch.
Ask anyone who has been in the outdoors camping and they'll take a dozen mosquito bites over a single chigger bite any day. The best medicine here is prevention.
Chiggers are common to the southern United States. They are found in brush and grass and cling to the vegetation waiting for a victim to walk by. Once they jump on their victim they burrow seeking out warm moist areas to feed. Bites will be clustered around pant legs and any place where clothing is restrictive.
To avoid being bit, it is best to lightly spray the target areas as well as your clothing with a bug spray that states it is effective against chiggers.
Wear light clothing as they seem to be more attracted to dark clothing and also you can spot them on lighter clothes.
Wash all clothing immediately upon returning from a hike in the woods or they will linger in your clothing and can bite again when you wear these clothes, pass by, or as they migrate onto other clothing.
Their microscopic size makes them very difficult to detect, but their red coloration keeps them from being completely invisible.
Once bit there is little you can do. Traditionally people applied nail polish to the bites. This was done in hopes of suffocating any remaining larva. This is believed to be a wives tale and will provide no relief. However, using one of the "new skin" type products may in fact help. It will seal the wound and allow it to heal faster. Other products that relieve itching may provide a little relief as well as warm soaking baths.
As the bite spot will last two to three weeks, the highest risk is from infection from scratching. Do your best to wear loose fitting clothes during this time, take soaking baths to relive the itching and wash your hands frequently so that when you do scratch you will decrease the chance of an infection.
Chiggers. For anyone who has ever suffered from their bites, you know why Southerners call them "the mighty little red mite."
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