Chiggers are the larval stage of tiny mites, closely related to spiders and ticks. These microscopic arachnids, averaging about 0.15 to 0.3 millimeters, are nearly invisible to the naked eye. They commonly inhabit outdoor environments, thriving in grassy or brushy areas, especially near water, and are most active during warmer months.
Chiggers and Hair: The Reality
Chiggers do not live in human hair or burrow under the skin, a common misconception. They are parasitic only during their larval stage.
Instead of feeding on blood, chigger larvae attach to the skin and inject digestive enzymes. These enzymes break down skin cells, creating a hardened feeding tube called a stylostome, through which the chigger consumes the liquefied tissue.
Chiggers typically attach to areas where skin is thin or where clothing fits tightly, such as around waistbands, sock lines, or armpits. Chiggers remain attached for a few hours to several days, feeding until engorged before dropping off naturally. Scratching or washing can dislodge them sooner.
Understanding Chigger Bites
Chigger bites often manifest as small, red welts or bumps that can resemble pimples or hives. These bites may have a clear or reddish center. The most distinguishing symptom is intense itching, which typically begins several hours after the chigger has attached and started feeding.
This itching can be severe and may persist for several days to up to two weeks. Bites are most commonly found in areas where clothing creates pressure or folds, such as the ankles, lower legs, behind the knees, waist, armpits, and groin. Unlike other insect bites, chigger bites often appear in clusters or lines where clothing has restricted their movement.
Preventing and Treating Chigger Encounters
Preventing chigger bites involves taking precautions when in grassy or wooded areas. Applying insect repellents containing DEET to exposed skin or permethrin to clothing can offer protection. Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and tucking pant legs into socks or boots, can also create a physical barrier against chiggers.
After spending time outdoors in chigger-prone areas, showering immediately with soap and water can help wash off any unattached chiggers. For treating bites, over-the-counter anti-itch creams containing hydrocortisone or calamine lotion can help relieve the intense itching.
Oral antihistamines may also provide relief. Avoiding scratching is important to prevent skin irritation and potential secondary infections. Chiggers do not remain attached, so “removing” them is often unnecessary if itching has already begun, as they likely have already dropped off.