Derm

Chigger

Chigger, Chigger Bite, Trombiculid Mite, Harvest Bug, Red Bug, Trombicula, Summer Penile Syndrome, Trombiculidae

Chiggers
1. Six-legged larval form of mites (appear as tiny red dots on skin)
2. Responsible for Human Bites and vector for disease
3. Chiggers crawl onto skin when host sits or lies on lawn or grass (appear as tiny red specks)
  1. Move into constrictive clothing where they bite
Trombiculid Mite
1. Adult 8-legged Arthopods (Arachnids, same family as Spiders and ticks)
2. Tiny Insects <1 mm long

Allergic Reaction to Chigger Bite Saliva
1. Large welt forms at site of Chigger Bite
Bullous Hypersensitivity
1. Diffuse bullae may form in response to Chigger Bite
Distribution of bite sites
1. Occluded areas of tight clothing (e.g. beneath waistband, belt line or sock line)
2. Intertriginous areas (e.g. axilla)
3. Penis may be affected (severe in some cases)
  1. May be known as Summer Penile Syndrome
  2. Smith (1998) Pediatr Emerg Care 14(2): 116-8 [PubMed]

See Mosquito Bite
Symptomatic management
1. Antihistamines (e.g. Cetirizine, Diphenhydramine)
2. Topical Corticosteroids (high potency)
Skin hygiene
1. Prevent secondary Skin Infection (e.g. at ruptured bullae sites)