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trombiculosis; trombiculiasis; trombiculidiasis; chiggers
Etiology:
- infestation with larvae of trombiculid mites (chiggers)
Epidemiology:
- commonly found on the tip of blades of grasses
Pathology:
- chiggers feed on skin cells
- mite saliva causes pruritus & dermatitis
- risk of secondary infections with scratching
Clinical manifestations:
- chiggers seem to affect warm covered areas of the body
- bites often clustered behind the knees, or beneath tight undergarments
- intense pruritus
- hard raised bumps common
* image (abdominal chiggers 36 hours after exposure) [3]
Complications:
- conjunctivitis
- may transmit Orienta tsutsugamushi in East Asia & Austronesia (Taiwan, Madagascar, Philippines, Torres Strait Islands Australia) etiologic agent of scrub typhus
Management:
- local application of alcohol compresses or zinc lotions
- external application of agents containing polidocanol or glucocorticoid
- systemic antihistamines indicated to control itching [2]
General
mite-borne infection
infestation; ectoparasitic infection
References
- Wikipedia: Trombiculosis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculosis
- Lewerenz V, Stege H, Hengge UR, Homey B, Bruch-Gerharz D.
[Trombiculiasis in humans].
Hautarzt. 2008 Oct;59(10):771-4. German.
PMID: 18773180
- Burns DO
7 Bug Bites You Need to Know
Medscape. June 17, 2021
https://reference.medscape.com/slideshow/bug-bites-6004328