How do you identify chigger bites on dogs. What are the most effective treatments for chigger bites. How can you prevent chigger infestations in dogs. What are the long-term effects of chigger bites on dogs. When should you seek veterinary care for chigger bites.

Understanding Chiggers: Tiny Mites with a Big Bite

Chiggers, scientifically known as Trombiculiasis, are microscopic mites in their larval stage. These tiny arachnids, barely visible to the naked eye, are also referred to as harvest mites, red bugs, or itch mites. Typically red in color, they can sometimes appear orange, yellow, or straw-colored. Chiggers thrive in warm, humid environments and are most prevalent from late spring to fall, though they can be found year-round in consistently warm and humid climates worldwide.

Adult Trombiculiasis mites lay numerous eggs on grass or foliage. Upon hatching, the larvae (chiggers) don’t venture far, instead waiting for a host to attach to and feed on. This host could be a human or an animal, including dogs.

Why do chigger bites appear in clusters?

Chigger bites often appear in clumps or clusters because these mites are born and live in groups until they find a host. When they encounter a suitable host, multiple chiggers from the same group will attach and feed, resulting in a cluster of bites.

Chigger Bites on Dogs: Recognizing the Signs

Dogs can indeed fall victim to chigger bites. While their fur provides some protection, chiggers can still attack areas with less dense fur coverage, such as the head, neck, ears, or underbelly. Dogs with shorter or thinner coats may be more susceptible to chigger infestations.

Identifying chigger bites on dogs can be challenging due to the mites’ minuscule size. However, there are several key indicators to watch for:

• Intense itching: Your dog may become extremely itchy in a specific area within hours to a day after exposure to chiggers.
• Clusters of small red bumps: Chigger bites typically appear as groups of tiny, red, raised bumps on the skin.
• Location of bites: Bites are often found in areas with less fur coverage, such as the head, ears, or belly.
• Recent outdoor activity: Consider if your dog has been in areas with tall grass or dense foliage in the past 24 hours.

How can you differentiate chigger bites from other skin issues?

Chigger bites are often misidentified as other skin problems, such as dermatitis, flea bites, scabies, or allergic reactions. To distinguish chigger bites, look for multiple small red bumps in a cluster, rather than a single bite or a diffuse rash. Additionally, the intense itching and location of the bites in less furry areas can help differentiate chigger bites from other skin conditions.

Immediate Action: Removing Chiggers from Your Dog

If you suspect your dog has been infested with chiggers, prompt action is crucial. Unlike some parasites, chiggers don’t burrow into the skin, making them relatively easy to remove. Here’s what you should do:

1. Give your dog a thorough bath using soap and water. This is the most effective method to wash off the chiggers.
2. If bathing isn’t immediately possible, use a soft cloth or vet-recommended skin wipe to remove the mites.
3. Focus on the affected areas, but clean the entire dog to ensure all chiggers are removed.

It’s important to note that chiggers don’t live on your dog long-term. They are only in their larval stage and will leave once they’ve finished feeding or when washed off. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about a recurring infestation unless your dog is exposed to chiggers again.

Can chiggers transfer from dogs to humans?

Fortunately, chiggers are unlikely to transfer from dogs to humans. Once they’ve attached to a host, they typically remain there until they’ve finished feeding or are removed. However, if you and your dog are in the same chigger-infested area, you both may be at risk of separate infestations.

Treating Chigger Bites: Alleviating Your Dog’s Discomfort

While chigger bites don’t carry diseases and will heal on their own, the intense itching they cause can lead to complications if left untreated. Excessive scratching can turn the bites into open sores, potentially leading to secondary infections. Therefore, treating the itching is crucial for your dog’s comfort and health.

What are effective treatments for chigger bites on dogs?

Several treatments can help alleviate the itching and discomfort caused by chigger bites:

• Oatmeal baths: These can soothe irritated skin and reduce itching.
• Antihistamines: Consult your vet about appropriate antihistamines to reduce itching and inflammation.
• Topical treatments: Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can provide relief when applied to affected areas.
• Cold compresses: Applying a cool, damp cloth to the bites can help reduce swelling and itching.
• Prescription medications: In severe cases, your vet may prescribe stronger anti-itch medications or antibiotics if secondary infections have developed.

Always consult with your veterinarian before administering any new treatments to ensure they’re safe and appropriate for your dog.

Preventing Future Chigger Infestations in Dogs

Prevention is key when it comes to protecting your dog from chigger bites. While it’s impossible to completely avoid all potential chigger habitats, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk:

1. Avoid high-risk areas: Keep your dog away from tall grass, dense underbrush, and wooded areas, especially during peak chigger season.
2. Use preventative treatments: Apply vet-approved insect repellents designed for dogs before outdoor activities.
3. Groom regularly: Frequent brushing and bathing can help remove any chiggers before they have a chance to bite.
4. Maintain your yard: Keep your lawn mowed short and remove leaf litter to reduce potential chigger habitats near your home.
5. Post-outdoor checks: Inspect your dog thoroughly after outdoor activities, paying special attention to less furry areas.

Are there natural repellents effective against chiggers?

Some natural repellents may help deter chiggers, though their effectiveness can vary. Options include:

• Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on your dog’s coat before outdoor activities.
• Essential oils: Certain essential oils like eucalyptus, lemongrass, or citronella may repel chiggers. However, always dilute oils properly and consult your vet before use, as some can be harmful to dogs.
• Sulfur powder: Some pet owners report success with sulfur powder as a chigger repellent, but it can have a strong odor.

Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before using any new product on your dog, even if it’s marketed as natural or organic.

Long-Term Effects and Complications of Chigger Bites

While chigger bites themselves are generally not serious, they can lead to complications if not properly managed. Understanding the potential long-term effects can help you provide better care for your dog.

What are the possible complications of untreated chigger bites?

If left untreated, chigger bites can potentially lead to:

• Secondary infections: Excessive scratching can break the skin, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infections.
• Skin damage: Constant scratching and biting at the affected areas can result in hair loss and skin thickening.
• Behavioral changes: Persistent itching and discomfort can lead to irritability or changes in your dog’s normal behavior.
• Allergic reactions: In rare cases, dogs may develop an allergic reaction to chigger bites, leading to more severe symptoms.

While these complications are relatively rare, they underscore the importance of prompt treatment and prevention of excessive scratching.

When to Seek Veterinary Care for Chigger Bites

Most cases of chigger bites in dogs can be managed at home with proper care and over-the-counter treatments. However, there are situations where professional veterinary care is necessary.

In which situations should you consult a veterinarian for chigger bites?

Consider seeking veterinary attention if:

• The itching persists or worsens despite home treatment.
• You notice signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the bite sites.
• Your dog develops a fever or seems lethargic.
• The affected areas start to bleed or develop open sores.
• Your dog’s behavior changes significantly, such as loss of appetite or increased aggression due to discomfort.
• You’re unsure if the bites are from chiggers or another parasitic infestation.

A veterinarian can provide a definitive diagnosis, prescribe stronger medications if needed, and offer guidance on preventing future infestations.

Chiggers and Other Pets: Comparative Risks and Treatments

While we’ve focused primarily on dogs, it’s worth noting that chiggers can affect other pets as well. Understanding how chigger infestations compare across different animals can help pet owners better protect all their furry friends.

How do chigger infestations differ between dogs, cats, and other pets?

Chiggers can affect various pets, but the risk and presentation may differ:

• Cats: Generally less susceptible due to their grooming habits, but can still be affected, especially around the ears and face.
• Horses: Often bitten on the muzzle, head, and legs, potentially leading to a condition called “sweet itch.”
• Small pets (rabbits, guinea pigs): More vulnerable if allowed outdoors, with bites typically occurring on ears and feet.

Treatment principles remain similar across species, focusing on removing the chiggers and managing the itching. However, always consult with a veterinarian before applying any treatments, as dosages and safe products can vary significantly between different types of pets.

By understanding the nature of chiggers, recognizing the signs of infestation, and knowing how to respond, you can effectively protect your dog and other pets from these tiny but troublesome mites. Remember, prevention is key, but prompt treatment can ensure your furry friend recovers quickly and comfortably if bites do occur.

Chigger Bites on Dogs – Identify, Treatment, Prevention

Chigger bites on dogs can be a serious problem if misidentified and not treated properly.

Fortunately, treatment is fairly simple and with a little care, your dog’s bites will be healed in no time.

The most important thing is to properly identify them as chigger bites so you can treat them and prevent further infestations in the future.

What Are Chiggers?

Chiggers are mites by the scientific name Trombiculiasis in their larval stage. They are very small, barely visible to the naked eye because they are only juveniles.

Chiggers go by several names including harvest mites, harvest bugs, harvest lice, mower’s mites, red bugs, itch mites, and scrub mites.

But all these names refer to the same thing – chiggers.

They are most commonly red but sometimes can appear orange, yellow, or straw-colored.

Chiggers thrive in warm, humid climates and are most common during the late spring to fall. But they can be found any time in climates that are warm and humid year round. They can be found all around the world.

Adult Trombiculiasis lay many eggs at a time on grass or foliage and when chiggers hatch, they don’t travel far. They wait for a host to attach to and feed on. This could be you or your dog.

One distinguishing feature of chigger bites on dogs or humans is that they come in clumps or clusters. This is because chiggers are born and live in groups until they find a host to feed on.

Can Dogs Get Chigger Bites?

Dogs can get chigger bites. They are more protected because of their fur but chiggers can still attack their heads, neck, or ears. Dogs with little fur may be more susceptible to chigger bites.

You likely won’t notice chiggers even if you check your dog after being outdoors because the chiggers are so small. But you may observe your dog becoming very itchy in a specific spot on it’s body anywhere from hours to a day after being infested with chiggers.

Blinking #HarvestMites #chiggers they make my dogs itch like mad pic.twitter.com/I3iyWLVI61

— Sara Diana Williams (@serimalbpickles) August 7, 2016

It’s common to misidentify chigger bites for other problems such as skin irritation (dermatitis), fleas, scabies, or even an alergic reaction to something.

That’s why it’s important to know how to identify chigger bites on dogs.

Identifying Chigger Bites on Dogs

There are a few indications that your dog has been attacked by chiggers and is not having skin irritation or some other kind of bite.

The first indication is the itching. Anywhere from a few hours to a day after being infected with chiggers, your dog will be itching like crazy and you may observe several small red bumps.

The second indication is that there are several bumps in a cluster. Because chiggers hatch in groups, several chiggers infect your dog at one time. If you only see a single red bite, or a rash rather than bumps, your dog likely does NOT have chiggers.

The third indication is that the bumps appear on an area of your dogs body that is less protected from fur. It’s common for dogs to get attacked by chiggers on their head, ears, or the undersides of their bellies because the fur in these areas is not as thick as the fur on their backs. Chiggers are small and have trouble getting through thick fur.

You might also consider if your dog has been running around near tall grass or foliage in the past day. If your dog is mostly indoors and stays on a leash when you walk it, you might be able to rule out chigger bites. Use caution though, as sometimes it’s hard to know exactly where your dog has been in the past 24 hours.

What to Do for Chigger Bites on Dogs

The first thing you should do is get the chiggers off. They don’t burrow into the skin so they can be washed off by soap and water. It is possible to remove them with a soft cloth or vet-recommended skin wipe but a good, thorough bath is likely more effective.

Chiggers don’t live on your dog long term so you don’t need to worry about them being a reoccuring problem unless your dog gets attacked again. They are only in their larval stage and will leave your dog after they are done feeding on it’s skin or when you wash them off. That’s why it’s best to wash them off as soon as possible.

They also are unlikely to transfer from dogs to humans. If your dog has them, they will do their best to feed on it but won’t seek another food source.

The next thing to do is treat the itching.

Chiggers don’t carry disease and their bites will heal on their own if left alone. The problem is that chigger bites on dogs are extremely itchy and your dog will want to scratch them.

Excessive scratching makes the bites worse and they may turn into open spots or sores and become infected so it’s extremely important to treat the itching.

How to Treat Chigger Bites on Dogs

The chigger bites will heal on their own as long as they aren’t scratched too much. It can be challenging to get your dog to stop itching its chigger bites but you must do everything you can to control the itching so bites can heal.

There are several remedies that help control itching associated with chigger bites on dogs. Many of the same remedies are used on humans:

• Calamine lotion
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Apple cider vinegar
• Green tea
• Epsom salts

It’s common to see some inflammation along with chigger bites on dogs, especially after they have scratched them even just a little.

According to PetMD, a sweet potato and fish diet can help with inflammation. You can buy commercial dog food with these ingredients rather than try to prepare them yourself.

Consider giving your dog omega-3 fatty acids or applying them directly onto the chigger bites to help with inflamation.

Another topical treatment to help with inflammation associated with scratching chigger bites on dogs is aloe vera. This not only will help with inflammation, but it will cool your dogs skin and provide some relief from the itching and irritation.

If your dogs bites seem to be getting worse, take him to your vet. Prednisone is a common prescription for dogs with inflamation.

Prevent Future Chigger Bites on Dogs

The best way to prevent chigger bites on dogs is to keep them away from chigger infested areas. This is easier said than done though. Insecticides and natural repellents are also an option.

Controlling Chiggers in Your Yard

You may have chiggers in your backyard, in which case you will want to control them by removing their habitat. Keep long grass mowed and trim bushy shrubs that contain chiggers.

To test if an area of your yard has chiggers, place a dark piece of cardboard in the suspected area and leave it for a few minutes. Check the cardboard with a magnifying glass near the tops for tiny red bugs.

You can read more about controlling chiggers in your backyard here.

DEET, Insecticides, and Natural Repellents

If it’s not possible to keep your dog away from chigger infested areas, you may consider an insecticide or insect repellent. DEET is effective at repelling chiggers. Insecticides like permethrin and fipronil are also useful against chiggers.

For natural defenses against chiggers, essential oils and sprays that contain the following ingredients are also effective: citronella, tea tree, jojoba, geranium, or lemon grass.

Conclusion

If you think your dog has a chigger infestation, the most important first step is to ensure the bites are from chiggers and rule out anything else. Next, it’s very important to control the itching because the chigger bites will heal on their own when left alone. Some inflammation is expected and there are simple treatments, but if the problem gets worse, it’s time to take your dog to the vet. Finally, you want to make sure to protect your dog against future chigger infestations.

Read about the many different ways to treat chigger bites in 17 Amazing Treatments for Chigger Bites (including Home Remedies)

You might want to pin this article on Pinterest. Here’s a cool pin I made just for you!

Chiggers – the mighty mite causing misery to your dog

Chiggers

What are they?

Chiggers are horrible little mites that are commonly found on meadows, golf courses, woodlands, parks and in grassland around lakes and rivers, that bite both humans and their pets.

Where do they live?

They thrive in wet, warm conditions, laying their eggs in soil and around grassy areas. The risk of infestations is highest in spring and summer when your dog may enjoy nothing more than a roll around in the long, dewy grass.

What are they called?

Chiggers are members if the Trombiculidae family and are tiny mite like spiders. They are also known as berry bugs, red bugs or harvest mites.

How to spot them?

They are orange/red and super small – about the size of the head of a pin making them tricky to spot with the naked eye. You may only be aware that your pet has an infestation when the intense itching starts.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of chigger bites include this intense itching, and flat or raised red bumps on the skin that sometimes appear blistered.

In pets?

Chigger bites will usually be concentrated around the belly, groin and inside of the ears of your pets. So breeds such as Shar Peis with their wrinkly skin are particularly susceptible to being attacked by chiggers.

In humans?

Chiggers most commonly bite areas of thinned skin such as wrinkles and warm folds of skin such as the crotch and groin areas, armpits, elbows and behind the knees.

The ankles and calves are also common sites for chigger bites.

How it bites?

When the chigger bites, it inserts its feeding structures and mouth parts into the skin. They inject enzymes into the host skin that destroy the tissue around the bite and it is these that frequently provoke reactions. The area around the bite then hardens, and they insert a feeding tube, called a sylostome, further into the bite area. They can feed on the skin through this structure for a few days if they are not disturbed.

The need for treatment

Chiggers cause extreme itching and when your dog scratches these itchy bites the damaged skin can easily become infected. These common treatments below should help you ease the situation.

Soothing home remedies

Epsom Salts

Bathing your dog in a warm bath containing 2 cups of Epsom Salts to soothe and a tiny bit of washing up liquid to help remove the chiggers, can give your pet relief.

Be extremely careful not to get any of this liquid in your pet’s eyes, mouth or nose.

You may wish to consult your vet before doing this in case your dog has any particular sensitivity to any of the ingredients in Epsom salts or washing up liquid.

Ice Pack

A wrapped ice pack can be a cheap and effective way of soothing the intense itch caused by chiggers on dogs. The cold numbs the area, soothing the skin and reducing itching and irritation for your dog.

Apply for 10 minutes, remove and massage the area, before re-applying.

Colloidal Oat Bath

Colloidal oatmeal is a soothing agent with protective anti-inflammatory agents. Simply add a cup of ground oatmeal to your dog’s bath water, stir and soak your pet to help ease the itch.

One of the easiest ways to add this to a bath is to put some porridge oats in a sock, hold the sock over the tap and run the bath through the oat filled sock. This will keep the oaty granules within the sock whilst enabling the soothing oatmeal to mix with the water.

Green tea

Green tea also contains anti-inflammatory elements that can soothe the itch and wash away the chiggers. Brew several bags of green tea depending on the size of your dog, add cold water, and then thoroughly rinse your dog with it.

For humans

Applying calamine lotion or aloe can also be soothing. Antihistamines and topical anti bite and sting relief creams. My children also love the click-it itch relief clickers and swear they work brilliantly.

The trick of using an oat filled sock to fill the bath is also great for humans.

Further treatment

Wash your clothes and any towels or pet blankets that have been in contact with the floor in hot water to remove any mites.

Repellents

Essential oils citronella and rosemary can act as natural deterrents. Traditional insect repellent can also work.

Avoidance

Chiggers tend to favour the same breeding sites year after year. Once you are aware somewhere is full of chiggers – stay well clear!

To read our article to help you identify common bites and stings click here 

To read our article to help your pet deal with ticks and avoid lyme disease click here

Written by Emma Hammett.

First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
Please contact [email protected] or https://www.firstaidforpets.net

Painful: chiggers (chiggers): yoginka – LiveJournal

Scientific name – Trombicula alfreddugesi.

“One thing worse than self-hatred is chiggers.”
Edward Abbey

Repeatedly mentioned them on various occasions, found that many do not know what they are.
I did not find information about them in Russian, but in English there is a lot of things, but not always true, there are a lot of legends and myths among the people, besides, some other creatures are also called by the same word. Here is more or less true, although not all the details are reflected:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculidae (in English, but there is a photo). Type of “bites” on the skin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculosis.
I read a lot about them in different sources in order to “know the enemy”. Therefore, I will write something (this is not a translation of the Wikipedia article). Maybe someone who lives in America and who has encountered this problem for the first time will read me. I did not immediately understand the mystery of the mysterious summer rashes on the skin in the most secluded places, seemingly well protected by clothing.

These photos were taken last summer on my back porch (deck):

Chiggers are most dangerous for “white people”, especially for children, women and people with thin, delicate skin. Probably the native Indians were not particularly bothered by them. Some white men are also not sensitive to them, I know at least one such.

I think that it is chiggers that guarantee compliance with the rule “not to walk on the lawns”, although this is not written anywhere. In parks and other places of recreation, people gracefully walk along the paths, without stumbling, not being tempted by ripe blackberries along the roadsides, which you can reach with your hand. Common mites and poison ivy also contribute, but they can be seen, you can try to avoid – unlike chiggers.

Chiggers are related to ticks and spiders. They have 4 stages of development, and only on one of them they feed on animals for 3-4 days (and the name “chigger” refers to this stage, but for simplicity I call other stages that way). The rest of the time they feed on decaying plant debris, insect eggs, etc. Adult individuals of the order of a millimeter, bright red-orange “spiders”, very quickly running about their business, but not touching anyone. But their offspring are very nasty small creatures, about 1/10 mm in size, they are almost invisible and you don’t know that they are already on you. They are looking for places with thin, delicate skin for a long time, thick skin is not suitable for them. (And where we have thin delicate skin – under the arms and in the most intimate places :)) They also love places where clothes, elastic bands fit snugly against the body, flattening and softening the skin. When found, they attach (usually near the hair follicle) and begin to secrete a special liquid that dissolves the surface scales of the skin, and feed on this solution. They do not bring much harm, they do not spread diseases (on this continent), but most people have an immune (allergic) reaction to this liquid. Many animals, birds, on which chiggers usually feed, do not feel them at all, although some dogs may suffer. For those who are sensitive, it’s even meaner that you don’t feel them right away, you can pick up a lot of them without noticing. It takes several hours before they crawl to a suitable place. And when I felt them, it was already too late, the reaction began. Chiggers are very fragile and usually die immediately after the first scratch, but this does not save. “Bites” look larger than mosquitoes, itch harder and last 2-3 weeks (for comparison, I personally forget about mosquitoes in half an hour, even the bite is not visible). Because of the chiggers, I hardly go out into the garden from June to the end of September. I only do “forays” once a week – mow the lawn, weed the weeds. And the rest of the time I admire the garden without going down from the back porch.

Another unpleasant property is that if they are brought in from the yard, they can live for weeks in clothes (“infecting” neighboring clothes), upholstered furniture, etc. and wait in the wings if the house is hot and humid enough. Although, of course, not in such numbers as in the yard, and the “bites” from them are weaker. They tolerate normal washing, although not all, only a small amount. Having discovered this, I began to remove everything from myself and immediately throw it into very hot water, trying not to touch the upholstered furniture. Even if I went out for a minute to pick dill for dinner. Just a couple of years ago, I had the idea to try the freezer, and it worked! Now I put clothes and shoes in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for several hours. Then you can wash in the usual way or not wash at all. The hassle is much less than with boiling. And this idea came to my mind because I noticed that in the fall, after the first night frosts, they disappear until next June.

According to the Wikipedia article, chiggers are found almost everywhere except in the far north and deserts. Even if this is so theoretically, practically everything is not so bad. The fact is that they need special conditions (warm and humid, warm nights), so they are found locally, in spots. In the Moscow region, I did not come across them, in the Crimea and the Caucasus, too. Maybe I just got lucky. And in America, they do not everywhere capture territories as widely as we have in eastern Kansas.

In my area, they started up in the second or third year, but at first they didn’t. Not all of them live and breed on the plots, if they are not, then this is an additional plus when selling a house. I see two explanations for the appearance of them with me:
1. The previous owners could have used pesticides, but I don’t. Many times every two or three weeks, specialists are called in to spray the area, otherwise the children cannot play in the yard. Although, in my opinion, there can be no less harm from pesticides, but this is not immediately obvious.
2. Almost immediately after moving into the house, I started compost heaps and did not remove the leaves in the fall, creating ideal conditions for wintering chiggers (and not only them). Last summer I decided to give it up, but the chiggers were still in the same quantity. Let’s see if there will be fewer of them this summer.

More on the spread of chiggers, from personal experience. I have been in the wild forests of the northwestern states of Washington and Oregon a lot, climbing into the thickets, foraging for wild berries, but I never noticed chiggers there. Mosquitoes – yes, a lot of them, but no more problems. Same with Colorado and California. I myself did not wander through the wild places there, but I know from acquaintances.

There is an explanation for this. In scientific sources, it came across somewhere that chiggers begin to breed only when the air humidity is constantly high, and night temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees for a long time. And in the mentioned states, it is dry in summer, even in rainy Washington, July-August is very dry, and at other times of the year the nights (and days) are cold. Just in case, I remind you that it is the larvae that annoy us, and not the adult chiggers, and they are dangerous only for 3 days. Therefore, in climatic zones where breeding conditions are rare and in small isolated areas, a population of chiggers can exist, but not particularly noticed by people – you never know who can bite sometimes in the summer. But we have such conditions continuously from June to September inclusive, so chigger larvae are constantly and almost everywhere where there is vegetation that is not sprayed with pesticides. Further to the south and southeast, the chigger season lengthens; to the southwest, west, and northwest, the season shortens, and their presence becomes more localized and focal.

UPD:
Few people are interested in scientific research of chiggers (they do not threaten the harvest), therefore they are not funded. Mostly they are engaged in the American army. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Hawaiian Islands hosted a huge collection of chiggers:
The National Chigger Collection, the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Animal bites

Animal bites

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• Animal bites

D. J. Williams

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Photo

Key facts

• Animal bites are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
• Up to five million people worldwide, mostly in Africa and Southeast Asia, are bitten by snakes every year.
• If bitten by a venomous snake, prompt treatment with an appropriate antitoxin is required.
• Dog bites cause tens of millions of injuries each year; children are most at risk.
• Rabies from dog, cat and monkey bites is a significant public health problem.

Animal bites represent a significant public health problem for children and adults worldwide. The health effects of animal bites depend on the type and health of the animal, the size and health of the person affected, and the availability of proper medical care.

Many animal species have the potential to bite humans; however, bites from snakes, dogs, cats and monkeys are the most problematic.

Snake bites

Magnitude of the problem

Up to five million people worldwide are bitten by snakes every year. Among this number of people, venomous snakes cause significant morbidity and mortality. There are an estimated 2.4 million cases of intoxication (snake bite poisoning) and 94,000–125,000 deaths each year, as well as 400,000 amputations and other severe health effects such as infection, tetanus, scarring, contractures, and psychological consequences. Poor access to medical care and lack of antitoxins increases the severity of injuries and their outcomes.

Who is most at risk?

Most snake bites occur in Africa and Southeast Asia. Snake bites are most common among people living in rural areas with limited resources, engaged in low-paid, non-mechanized field crops and other types of agriculture. Agricultural workers, women and children are the population groups most commonly affected by snakebites. The burden of these injuries is exacerbated by their socioeconomic impact on families and communities. Adult victims are often the family’s breadwinners and caregivers for other family members; and child victims may suffer lifelong disabilities, which impose additional costs on families and communities.

Treatment

There are approximately 600 species of poisonous snakes in the world, and approximately 50-70% of their bites lead to intoxication. Immediately after the bite, it is extremely important to ensure the complete immobilization of the affected body part and the immediate transport of the victim to a medical facility. Tourniquets and cutting of the bite should not be used as first aid, as this may increase the effect of the venom. Often snakebite victims require antitoxin treatment. It is important that the appropriate antitoxin is used, taking into account the snakes endemic to the area. Additional measures include debridement to reduce the risk of infection, supportive care such as respiratory support, and administration of tetanus vaccine at discharge if the patient is not adequately vaccinated against tetanus.

Snake bite prevention

In order to prevent snake bites, inform communities about the risks of snake bites and how to prevent them, such as:

• Avoid high grass areas;
• wear safety shoes/boots;
• keep rodents out of food storage areas;
• free from garbage, firewood and low vegetation the area adjacent to the house;
• in houses, store food in rodent-resistant containers, arrange sleeping places at a raised level above the floor, and carefully tuck mosquito nets under mattresses.

To prevent or limit the serious health consequences of snake bites, health care providers should have specific training in the management of snake bites, including the proper use and administration of an antitoxin. Public health authorities and policy makers should ensure adequate supplies of safe and effective antitoxins in communities, countries and regions where they are most needed, and prioritize research initiatives that will affect the burden of such injuries.

Dog bites

Magnitude of the problem

There are no global estimates for the prevalence of dog bites, but studies suggest that dog bites account for tens of millions of injuries each year. For example, in the United States of America, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of these, about 885,000 seek medical care; 30,000 people undergo reconstructive surgery; 3-18% of people develop infections, and 10 to 20 cases are fatal. Other high-income countries such as Australia, Canada and France have similar prevalence and case fatality rates.

In low- and middle-income countries, the data is more fragmented, but some studies show that dogs account for 76–94% of all animal bite injuries. Dog bite fatality rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries, as many of these countries where rabies is a problem may experience shortages of drugs needed for post-exposure treatment, along with inadequate access to medical care. Estimated 59Thousands of people die every year from rabies and most of these deaths are due to the bites of rabid dogs.

Who is most at risk?

The majority of people who are bitten by dogs are children, mostly middle-aged and older. Children are at higher risk of head and neck injuries than adults, and such injuries are particularly severe. They are characterized by higher rates of need for medical treatment and higher mortality rates.

In some countries, men are more likely to be bitten by dogs than women. Dog bites account for over 50% of animal-related injuries among travellers.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the site of the bite, the general health of the person affected, and whether the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. The basic principles of medical care include the following:

• prompt medical treatment;
• washing and cleansing the wound;
• primary wound sutures at low risk of infection;
• prophylactic antibiotic therapy for high-risk wounds or immunocompromised people;
• post-exposure treatment of rabies according to dog’s vaccination status;
• administration of tetanus toxoid vaccine in the absence of adequate vaccination in the affected individual.

Dog Bite Prevention

Certain populations, especially children, should be educated about the risks of dog bites and how to prevent them, such as avoiding stray dogs and never leaving children unsupervised around any dogs.

Health care providers should receive specific training in the proper management of dog bites. Public health authorities and policy makers should ensure control of rabies in dog populations, establish adequate stocks of rabies vaccines for potential human exposure to rabies, and develop systems to collect information to further document the burden of the problem.

Cat bites

Magnitude of the problem

Worldwide, cat bites account for 2–50% of animal bite injuries. In terms of prevalence, they are usually second only to dog bites. In Italy, for example, the prevalence of cat-related injuries is 18 per 100,000 people, while in the United States of America there are an estimated 400,000 cat bites and 66,000 associated hospital emergency department visits each year. emergency medical care.

Who is most at risk?

The highest rates of cat bites occur in adult women.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the site of the bite and whether the animal has been vaccinated against rabies. The basic principles of medical care include the following:

• prompt medical treatment, including cleansing of the wound;
• prophylactic antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of infection;
• post-exposure treatment of rabies according to the vaccination status of the animal;
• administration of tetanus toxoid vaccine in the absence of adequate vaccination in the affected individual.

Cat Bite Prevention

Individual communities need to be educated about the risks of cat bites and how to prevent them, including vaccinating cats against rabies.

Health care providers should receive specific training in the proper management of such injuries. Public health authorities and policy-makers should ensure that rabies is controlled in animal populations and adequate supplies of medicines are available for post-exposure treatment and prophylactic antibiotic therapy in people who have been bitten. They should also support scientific research aimed at learning more about the burden of cat bites.

Monkey bites

Magnitude of the problem

Monkey bites account for 2–21% of animal bite injuries. In India, for example, monkeys are the second most significant source of animal bite injuries after dogs, according to two studies.

Who is most at risk?

Monkey bites pose a significant risk to travelers and, after dog bites, are the second leading animal bites for travelers.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the health of the patient, the site of the bite, and whether rabies is suspected in the monkey. The basic principles of medical care include the following:

• prompt medical treatment, including cleansing of the wound;
• prophylactic antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of infection;
• post-exposure treatment of rabies according to the vaccination status of the animal;
• administration of tetanus toxoid vaccine in the absence of adequate vaccination in the affected individual.

Monkey Bite Prevention

Individual communities and travelers should be informed about the risks of monkey bites and how to prevent them.

Health care providers should receive specific training in the proper management of such injuries. Public health authorities and policy makers should ensure rabies control in monkey populations and adequate drug supplies for post-exposure treatment and prophylactic antibiotic therapy in human bite victims. They should also support scientific research aimed at learning more about the burden of monkey bites.

WHO activities

WHO is taking action on the public health problem of animal bites.

For snakebites, WHO has produced several methodologies to assist in the proper development, distribution and administration of antitoxins.

With regard to rabies, WHO calls for increased access to post-exposure treatment through increased production of anti-rabies biologics, continued education on rabies prevention and control, and large-scale immunization of dog populations.

With regard to animal bite injuries, WHO is doing the following:

• giving priority to data collection initiatives to help determine the burden and risk factors for such injuries;
• calls for the strengthening of emergency medical services for people affected by such injuries;
• promotes research into effective interventions to prevent such injuries and populations most susceptible to such injuries.