Question 1

what is the difference between chiggers & ticks?

Accepted Answer

Mite vs. arachnid: Ticks are arachnids (in the same class as spiders and scorpions) and small but visible to the naked eye. Chiggers are mites and too small to be seen. Tick bites usually occur with one tick while chiggers occur in bunches. Ticks spread dangerous diseases such as lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever. Chigger bites are very itchy and annoying but don't spread dangerous illnesses.

Question 2

could it be possible i got bit by a tick or a chigger?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Chigger bites often have a small red in the center of a welt  ; occur in areas where skin is tender like the crotch, armpits, belt line, backs of knees, ankles. They are extremely itchy.  Because tick bite symptoms  can vary greatly - I have included a resource to review  possible presentations. http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/symptoms.html.

Question 3

what color are chiggers? will i be able to tell them apart from lice and ticks?

Accepted Answer

Chiggers tiny tiny: The missouri dept. Of conservation says chiggers are baby mites that can only bite through areas of thinner, tender skin (so chiggers like women & children). Chiggers are less than 1/150th of an inch, which is almost invisible. Lice and ticks are bigger. Chiggers are born red, so several of them together might look like a tiny red dot. They are yellowish after feeding. Chiggers don't suck blood.

Question 4

could you tell me what are some effective ways to stop chigger and tick bites from itching.?

Accepted Answer

Tick Bites: To reduce itching from a tick bite: apply ice pack compresses or tea tree oil.

Question 5

i have a bullseye rash but no sign of a tick could the bite have been a chigger or ant?

Accepted Answer

Prophylaxis: If you live in an area that has ticks, you may be better off taking prophylactic treatment for Lyme disease. It would be prudent to see your doctor for an evaluation.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex. 
Get HPV vaccine, if you are under 27 years of age.

Question 6

shaving with chigger bites, is this okay?

Accepted Answer

If you are not: Shaving the tops off  blisters - ok. Otherwise, don't recommend breaking open a blister due to increased risk of infection.

Question 7

what are the signs of a chigger bite?

Accepted Answer

Chigger bite symptom: Pronounced itching is the most common symptom.The area of the bite may be reddened, flat, or raised; sometimes it resembles a pustule or blister.
The itch is due to the presence of the stylostome and usually is most intense within 1-2 days after the bite.
The itching persists for several days, and complete resolution of the skin lesions can take up to two weeks.

Question 8

how can you reduse swelling of chigger?

Accepted Answer

See below: The goal of treatment is to stop the itching. Antihistamines and corticosteroid creams or lotions may be helpful.

Question 9

can a chigger bite affect the whole body?

Accepted Answer

Many bites: Chiggers usually jump onto a person from the grass and travel from the clothes onto exposed body parts. Their bites cause extreme itching due to chemicals released into the skin. You can get many bites covering the entire body if you're unlucky to walk into a cluster or nest of them. They can also be complicated by secondary bacterial infections which can spread systemically if not treated.

Question 10

young child with chiggers.  what can i do?

Accepted Answer

Treating chiggers: Chiggers are nasty little bugs that emerge in the spring & love to to bore into the skin surface along beltlines.I've had some success using topocal oily preparations, wd40 works for me, applied directly to the bite site.It releaves some of the itching quickly. I've had some mos report using baby oil the same way.A cold compress over any itching site decreases that sensation almost immediately.

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Doctor answers about:

Chigger vs tick

A member asked:

What is the difference between chiggers & ticks?

A member asked:

Could it be possible i got bit by a tick or a chigger?

A member asked:

What color are chiggers? will i be able to tell them apart from lice and ticks?

A member asked:

Could you tell me what are some effective ways to stop chigger and tick bites from itching.?

A member asked:

I have a bullseye rash but no sign of a tick could the bite have been a chigger or ant?

A member asked:

Shaving with chigger bites, is this okay?

A member asked:

What are the signs of a chigger bite?

A member asked:

How can you reduse swelling of chigger?

A member asked:

Can a chigger bite affect the whole body?

A member asked:

Young child with chiggers. what can i do?

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