Red Bug Bites - Chigger

Red bugs are also mostly known as chiggers. Many people are not even aware of this type og bugs because they are have special areas where they live, and not everybody comes in contact with them.

And even if they do, Most often red bugs go unnoticed because they are very small- about 1 mm long. The thing everyone observs are red bugs bites.

After red bug bites, the signs are not evident imidiately, but most often the next day. Chiggers usually walk around the skin until they find an area suitable for them, that is an area where the skin layer is thiner and they can penetrate it more easily. But if they encointer an obstacle, like clothing for example, they will stop moving around and settle with the specif area.

Red bugs bites are not quite loke other insect bites. Chiggers fix themselves onto the skin and inject some chemical substances that help them suck blood. But as they penetrate the skin, the substances they inject contain agents that cause itching. It is true that red bugs can stay fixed on the skin for days in a row, continuing to feed on blood, but once the person scratches, takes a shower, etc the bugs are easily removed from the skin. Having this in mind, it is best that when your children come back from outside, they have a nice long bath, making sure that if any red bug is attached on their skin, it will be removed with the sponge.

There are some saying about red bugs bites which are really causing panic. It is said that red bugs don't only bite, but they are so small and powerfull, that they get through the skin and gather under the superficial layer of the skin, even moving around, without you even knowing. Also, it is said that they make their nest there and they reproduce very fast under your skin. Unfortunately, this is not true.

While it is not always possible to prevent red bugs bites especialy if you need to spend a lot of time outside, in parks, in the garden, etc however , you can always take some precaution measures like using insect repellent whenever you spend more time outdoors, covering as much skin as possible, taking a thorough bath afterwards, etc.

If you notice some red bug bites on your skin, it is very important not to scratch the bites, as this can cause infection of the areas. To help relive the itching, you can always use a cold compress, ice, or methol powder. If you see the bites got bigger and red, try applying an antibiotic ointment on the affected area. This will make the stings heal faster and prevent infection.