Chigger bites
Chiggers
are larval form of a type of family of mite (arachnids) called Trombiculidae.
First show
up as annoying red bumps followed by itch, spreading
from feet
and ankles upward to waistline and groin.
Itching
peaks 1-2 days after bite occurs.
Women and
children get more bites than men.
To
avoid being bitten, use mosquito repellents. Sulphur containing compounds are the gold standard for
prevention, but are not
used much for obvious reasons.
Clear
heavy brush around house. Chiggers rarely habitate well groomed outdoor areas and surfaces hotter than 99
degrees.
Best
precaution is to take warm soapy bath with plenty of scrubbing ASAP after exposure.
Treatment
includes possibly lotions/creams like what our patient tried OTC, but only solution is tincture of time (takes
1-2 weeks for lesions to
resolve).
North
American chiggers do not carry any disease.
Only
real danger from chigger bites is secondary infections that develop after excoriating with dirty fingernails.
Source: www.mdc.mo.gov