BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuChiggersHarvest mite; Red miteChiggers are tiny, 6-legged wingless organisms (larvae) that mature to become a type of mite. Chiggers are found in tall grass and weeds. Their bite causes severe itching. Causes Chiggers are found in certain outdoor areas, such as: Berry patches Tall grass and weeds Edges of woodlands Chiggers bite humans around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. Bites commonly occur in the summer and fall months. Symptoms The main symptoms of chigger bites are:Severe itching Red pimple-like bumps or hivesHivesHives are raised, often itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ap...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching usually occurs several hours after the chiggers attach to the skin. The bite is painless.A skin rash may appear on the parts of the body that were exposed to the sun. It may stop where the underwear meets the legs. This is often a clue that the rash is due to chigger bites.Skin rashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider can usually diagnose chiggers by examining the rash. You'll likely be asked about your outdoor activity. A special magnifying scope may be used to find the chiggers on the skin. This helps confirm the diagnosis. Treatment The goal of treatment is to stop the itching. Antihistamines and corticosteroid creams or lotions may be helpful. Antibiotics are not necessary unless you develop a skin infection. Possible Complications A secondary infection may occur from scratching.Secondary infectionA secondary infection is an infection that occurs during or after treatment for another infection. It may be caused by the first treatment or by cha...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if the rash itches very badly, or if your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. Prevention Avoid outdoor areas that you know are contaminated with chiggers. Applying bug spray containing DEET to skin and clothing can help prevent chigger bites. Open ReferencesReferencesDiaz JH. Mites, including chiggers. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 295.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 20.AllVideoImagesTogChigger bite - close-up of blisters - illustration Chigger bites are caused by the larvae of the chigger. The bite produces blisters (vesicles) and bleeding into the skin (purpura). These bites itch intensely and are usually located on exposed areas of the skin where the chigger larvae have access. This photograph demonstrates vesicle formation following the bites.Chigger bite - close-up of blistersillustrationChigger bite - close-up of blisters - illustration Chigger bites are caused by the larvae of the chigger. The bite produces blisters (vesicles) and bleeding into the skin (purpura). These bites itch intensely and are usually located on exposed areas of the skin where the chigger larvae have access. This photograph demonstrates vesicle formation following the bites.Chigger bite - close-up of blistersillustrationRelated Information Secondary infections(Special Topic) Review Date: 12/4/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. 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ChiggersHarvest mite; Red miteChiggers are tiny, 6-legged wingless organisms (larvae) that mature to become a type of mite. Chiggers are found in tall grass and weeds. Their bite causes severe itching. Causes Chiggers are found in certain outdoor areas, such as: Berry patches Tall grass and weeds Edges of woodlands Chiggers bite humans around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. Bites commonly occur in the summer and fall months. Symptoms The main symptoms of chigger bites are:Severe itching Red pimple-like bumps or hivesHivesHives are raised, often itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also ap...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching usually occurs several hours after the chiggers attach to the skin. The bite is painless.A skin rash may appear on the parts of the body that were exposed to the sun. It may stop where the underwear meets the legs. This is often a clue that the rash is due to chigger bites.Skin rashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider can usually diagnose chiggers by examining the rash. You'll likely be asked about your outdoor activity. A special magnifying scope may be used to find the chiggers on the skin. This helps confirm the diagnosis. Treatment The goal of treatment is to stop the itching. Antihistamines and corticosteroid creams or lotions may be helpful. Antibiotics are not necessary unless you develop a skin infection. Possible Complications A secondary infection may occur from scratching.Secondary infectionA secondary infection is an infection that occurs during or after treatment for another infection. It may be caused by the first treatment or by cha...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if the rash itches very badly, or if your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. Prevention Avoid outdoor areas that you know are contaminated with chiggers. Applying bug spray containing DEET to skin and clothing can help prevent chigger bites. Open ReferencesReferencesDiaz JH. Mites, including chiggers. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 295.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 20.