Causes and risk factors
Chiggers infest human skin if one walks by and brushes up against vegetation where they live. They are commonly found all over the outdoors, in tall weeds and grassy fields, wooded areas, along lakes and streams, and in forests.
Clinical presentation
Patient presents with red bumps which may look like pimple, vesicle, blister or small hives. Generally, they appear in clusters and increase in size over a period of several days. Common areas of bite are waist, ankle, armpits, crotch, or behind the knees. There is intense itching with desire to scratch after an hour of a chiggers bite. Chigger bites on the penis causes swelling of the penis, itching, and painful urination, called as summer penile syndrome.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the dermatologist helps in diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment consists of the following – wash the affected area with the soap and water to remove any attached chiggers. Give cold fomentation to relive itching. Apply anti-itch medication. Avoid scratching to prevent secondary bacterial infection. It may take 1-3 weeks for chiggers bite to heal.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating chiggers. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating chiggers.
