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The truth about how chiggers bite skin is horrifying
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Chiggers, tiny mite larvae active in summer, feed on human skin by injecting enzymes that liquefy skin cells, causing intense itching and red spots typically appearing hours after contact.
- These six-legged larvae attach to clothing near skin contact areas such as waistbands and sock lines before moving to the skin to feed using a straw-like tube called a stylostome.
- Chigger bites usually affect ankles, lower legs, backs of knees, waist, and groin, with symptoms peaking within 24-48 hours and subsiding over two weeks; treatment focuses on relieving itching rather than parasite removal.
- Preventative measures include wearing protective clothing, applying insect repellent to skin and clothing, and avoiding grassy, wet, or wooded outdoor areas during warm months.
