Hardly visible to the naked eye, this microscopic larva has the ability to tarnish our summers with its extremely stinging bites. How to relieve them? When should you consult? Dermatologist Marie-Estelle Roux helps us see more clearly.

Also known under the name of grape harvest, puron or even red mullet, chigger a small red mite which belongs to the Trombiculidae family. If the adult is completely harmless, its larva, on the other hand, is a parasite for animals but also for humans. Barely 0,2 mm long and bright red, the chubby larva has 3 pairs of legs and hooks called chelicerae.

Where are they ?

Their privileged hunting grounds are:

• lawns;
• proximity to wetlands;
• the orchards ;
• forests.

When do we find them?

Contrary to what its name might suggest, chiggerhead is not only rife in August, but throughout the summer months and even until early fall.

How do they do it?

It feeds by biting its host with its chelicerae, injecting saliva into it, and aspirating tissue nutrient fluid.

Unlike most other mites, the auut is rather diurnal and attracted to light.

The bite of chiggers is particularly stinging. “It produces a small blister, several millimeters in diameter, which itches a lot. The lesions are often multiple and grouped together, on one or more limbs – legs, thighs, arms – or on the trunk – stomach, flanks ”indicates Marie-Estelle Roux.

About twenty hours after the bite, the larvae detach from the skin and cause intense itching which can persist for a week.

Almost always benign, these bites can however in rare cases cause an allergic reaction, sometimes with severe pain and edema. The risk is then superinfection.

When the lesions are very numerous and the scratching becomes uncontrollable, potentially a sign of infection or allergy, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner.

In the event of a chigger bite, it is first of all advisable not to scratch so as not to increase the risk of infections.

“You must wash the skin with water and Marseille soap, or apply an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine” recommends the dermatologist. Then, a soothing cream can be applied to relieve the itching.

During a severe stinging reaction

“When the urticarial reaction is severe, you can apply a cream containing cortisone for 1 to 5 days and take an oral antihistamine, to relieve the itching.”

Chigger bites can be relieved with a few drops of lavender aspic essential oil applied directly to the pimple. Tégarome, a mixture of 9 essential oils, is also very effective in soothing insect bites and in particular chiggers.

The vinegar and baking soda help soothe the itching, and applying ice helps reduce inflammation from the bites.

Precautions to take

To avoid exposing yourself to the bite of chiggers and being uncomfortable, you should first lie down on a sheet or blanket and not directly on the grass. Wearing long, covering clothing is desirable. They may have been previously covered with talc for better efficiency.

The use of essential oils

Some essential oils – such as eucalyptus, lavender, or mint – can also be sprayed on clothing to scare away pests.

Garden maintenance

People who own a garden should take care to mow it regularly, to maintain it well and especially to water it well in order to limit the proliferation of chiggers.