What are chiggers and where do they live. How can you identify a chigger bite. What are the most effective treatments for chigger bites. How can you prevent chigger bites while enjoying outdoor activities.

Understanding Chiggers: Tiny Mites with a Big Bite

Chiggers, often referred to as “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” are microscopic mites that can cause significant discomfort through their bites. These tiny arachnids are prevalent across large swaths of the United States, particularly in the South, Great Plains, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Despite their bright red coloration, chiggers are nearly invisible to the naked eye, measuring only about the size of a grain of salt.

Dr. Lee Townsend, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Kentucky, explains: “Chiggers are a type of immature mite that spend time feeding on small mammals, and also on humans.” It’s important to note that not all mites are chiggers, but all chiggers are indeed mites. Only certain species bite during their larval stage, and these are the ones we commonly refer to as chiggers.

How do chiggers feed?

Unlike many blood-sucking insects, chiggers have a unique feeding method. They don’t pierce the skin to extract blood; instead, they feast on skin cells and tissue. This process involves injecting saliva into the skin, which breaks down and digests the cellular material. It’s this saliva that triggers the intense skin reaction associated with chigger bites.

Identifying Chigger Bites: Key Characteristics and Differences

Distinguishing chigger bites from other insect bites can be challenging, as individual reactions can vary. However, there are several telltale signs that can help you identify a chigger bite:

• Intense itching: Chigger bites are notorious for causing extreme itchiness, often described as more intense than most other insect bites.
• Clustered appearance: Chiggers tend to bite in groups, resulting in clusters of red welts rather than isolated bumps.
• Location preferences: These mites are drawn to warm, moist areas of the body such as sock lines, waistbands, armpits, and behind the knees.
• Delayed reaction: Unlike some insect bites that cause immediate discomfort, chigger bites may not become noticeable for several hours after exposure.

Dr. Michael Merchant, a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University, notes: “I don’t know of many things as intensely itchy as a chigger bite.” This exceptional level of itchiness can be a key indicator when trying to identify the source of your discomfort.

The Life Cycle of Chiggers and Their Impact on Humans

Understanding the life cycle of chiggers can help explain their feeding habits and why their bites are so irritating. Chiggers go through several stages of development:

1. Egg
2. Larva (the biting stage)
3. Nymph
4. Adult

It’s only during the larval stage that chiggers bite humans and other animals. Once they’ve had their fill, they drop off naturally and continue their life cycle. This feeding process typically lasts for several days, during which time the bite area can become increasingly irritated and itchy.

Are chigger bites dangerous?

While chigger bites can be extremely uncomfortable, they are generally not dangerous in North America. Dr. Townsend reassures, “Chiggers can transmit diseases in some other parts of the world, but not here.” However, excessive scratching of chigger bites can lead to secondary bacterial infections, which may require medical attention.

Effective Treatments for Chigger Bites

Although chigger bites can be intensely itchy and uncomfortable, they typically resolve on their own within a week, often in just a few days. However, there are several steps you can take to alleviate symptoms and promote healing:

• Hot shower: Taking a hot shower and thoroughly soaping the affected areas can help remove any remaining chiggers and provide relief.
• Topical treatments: Applying calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching and inflammation.
• Cold compresses: Applying a cold, damp cloth to the bites can help soothe irritation and reduce swelling.
• Oral antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) can help manage itching and discomfort.
• Rubbing alcohol: Applying rubbing alcohol to the bites may provide temporary relief and help prevent infection.

When should you seek medical attention for chigger bites?

While most chigger bites can be treated at home, there are instances where medical intervention may be necessary. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Worsening swelling or redness several days after the bite appeared
• Fever or flu-like symptoms
• Oozing or crusting of the bite site
• Severe pain at the bite site
• Hives, vomiting, or nausea

In severe cases, doctors may prescribe stronger topical steroids or even administer steroid injections to provide relief from intense itching.

Preventing Chigger Bites: Enjoying the Outdoors Safely

While chiggers can be a nuisance, their presence shouldn’t deter you from enjoying outdoor activities. Understanding their habitat preferences and taking preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of encountering these tiny mites.

Where do chiggers thrive?

Chiggers prefer environments that are:

• Shaded or overgrown
• High in humidity
• Rich in small mammal populations
• Characterized by tall grasses and dense vegetation

Dr. Townsend points out, “You’re not going to run into many of them out in mowed or landscaped areas.” This information can help you choose safer areas for outdoor activities.

Effective prevention strategies

To minimize your risk of chigger bites, consider the following preventive measures:

• Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes can create a barrier between your skin and chiggers.
• Use insect repellents: Apply DEET-based repellents or natural alternatives like eucalyptus oil to exposed skin and clothing.
• Treat clothing: Consider treating outdoor clothing with permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills chiggers and other insects.
• Avoid high-risk areas: When possible, stick to well-maintained trails and avoid brushing against tall grasses or dense vegetation.
• Shower promptly: After spending time outdoors, take a hot shower and thoroughly wash your body and clothing to remove any chiggers before they have a chance to bite.

The Ecological Role of Chiggers: Beyond the Bite

While chiggers are often viewed solely as a nuisance, it’s important to recognize their role in the broader ecosystem. These mites play a part in the complex web of life in many habitats:

• Food source: Chiggers serve as a food source for various predatory insects and small animals.
• Decomposers: Adult chiggers contribute to the breakdown of organic matter in soil ecosystems.
• Population control: By feeding on small mammals, chiggers may play a role in regulating certain animal populations.

Understanding the ecological significance of chiggers can foster a more balanced perspective on these creatures, even as we take steps to avoid their bites.

Myths and Misconceptions About Chiggers

Several myths surround chiggers and their bites. Let’s address some common misconceptions:

Do chiggers burrow under the skin?

Contrary to popular belief, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or lay eggs there. They simply attach to the skin surface to feed.

Can you suffocate chiggers with nail polish?

Applying nail polish to chigger bites is an old wives’ tale and is ineffective. By the time the bite is visible, the chigger has already detached and fallen off.

Are all red, itchy bites from chiggers?

Not necessarily. Many insects and arachnids can cause similar reactions. It’s important to consider other factors like location, clustering, and intensity of itching when identifying the cause of a bite.

By dispelling these myths, we can focus on effective prevention and treatment strategies for chigger bites.

Chiggers and Climate Change: Potential Future Impacts

As global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift due to climate change, the distribution and behavior of chiggers may also be affected. Consider the following potential impacts:

• Range expansion: Warming temperatures could allow chiggers to survive in areas previously too cold for them.
• Extended active season: Milder winters might result in longer periods of chigger activity throughout the year.
• Increased population density: Changes in vegetation and small mammal populations could affect chigger abundance in certain areas.

While the full effects of climate change on chigger populations are yet to be determined, it’s important to stay informed about potential shifts in their distribution and behavior. This awareness can help individuals and communities adapt their prevention strategies as needed.

In conclusion, while chigger bites can be an unpleasant aspect of outdoor activities, understanding these tiny mites and taking appropriate precautions can significantly reduce your risk of encounters. By recognizing the symptoms of chigger bites, knowing how to treat them effectively, and implementing prevention strategies, you can continue to enjoy nature while minimizing discomfort. Remember, chiggers are a natural part of many ecosystems, and with the right knowledge and preparation, we can coexist with these creatures while protecting ourselves from their bites.

How to Know When It’s a Chigger Bite

Sometimes called “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” chiggers populate large sections of the United States — including all of the South, the Great Plains, and the Mid-Atlantic. Though they’re often bright red in color, chiggers are only about the size of a grain of salt — making them almost impossible to spot either in the wild or on a person’s skin.

“Chiggers are a type of immature mite that spend time feeding on small mammals, and also on humans,” says Lee Townsend, PhD, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Dr. Townsend says that there are many different species of mites, but only a few types that bite during their larval stage. It’s these that are referred to as chiggers. “Not all mites are chiggers, but all chiggers are mites,” he adds.

Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting bugs, chiggers don’t attach themselves to mammals in order to suck blood. Instead, chiggers feast on skin cells and tissue, Townsend explains. But much like mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers can induce a nasty skin reaction. That reaction, he says, comes from the chigger’s saliva, which they use to break down and digest the cells and tissues they devour.

RELATED: 7 Skin Conditions That Look Contagious, but Aren’t

Chigger Bites Look a Lot Like Other Bug Bites, So Here’s How to Correctly ID Them

As with all bug bites, there’s some person-to-person variation when it comes to chigger bites.

“Different people react differently to bites, so it can be really difficult to tell the difference between bites of things like mosquitoes from chiggers,” Townsend says. Especially if you’re bitten by a lone chigger, the red welt that forms may look more or less identical to a mosquito bite.

But there are bite characteristics that can show up that can help differentiate chiggers from other bugs. For one thing, chigger bites tend to take itchiness to a whole new level. “I don’t know of many things as intensely itchy as a chigger bite,” says Michael Merchant, PhD, a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University in Dallas.

Also, chiggers tend to latch onto a person’s skin in groups. You won’t be able to see them without the aid of a magnifying glass. But you may feel some irritation when they first start feeding. And the resulting bites often appear as clusters of red welts — as opposed to a single itchy lump or a red rash. (1) If you have a swath of itchy skin lumps that looks like many mosquito bites or welts, it’s a good bet you’re dealing with chiggers. (2)

Another characteristic of these bites: chiggers like to gather in areas that are hot and sweaty — like the insides of socks, at waistlines, inside armpits, or behind the knees, Dr. Merchant says. “If you see a pattern of bites only where your sock was, that’s probably chiggers,” he adds.

What Can I Do to Treat Chigger Bites and Relieve the Itching?

While itchy and uncomfortable — not to mention unsightly — chigger bites tend to resolve on their own within a week — and often within a few days. (3) “Once they’re done feeding, [chiggers] drop off on their own,” Townsend says. He recommends taking a hot shower and soaping the area thoroughly. (This can remove chiggers before they’ve had the chance to cause welts and irritation, he says.) Applying topical calamine cream can also help reduce the itch, he adds. So can cold compresses, oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), and rubbing alcohol. (4)

RELATED: What Is an Antihistamine?

Do you need to see a doctor? In most cases, no. “Chiggers can transmit diseases in some other parts of the world, but not here,” Townsend says of domestic chiggers.

That said, chigger bites can put a person at risk for a secondary infection. That could happen if you scratch the bite (or bites) and break open the skin, allowing in bacteria, Merchant says.

If the swelling or redness around a bite is getting worse several days after it first appeared, or if you notice a fever or other flu-like symptoms, those may be signs of an infection. The same is true if the bite is leaking fluid, has developed a yellow, golden crust, or has become painful, or if you’re experiencing hives, vomiting, or nausea — see a doctor. (5)

Doctors can prescribe prescription topical steroids or even inject dilute steroids into intensely itchy bites if you don’t experience relief from over-the-counter options.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Bug Bites and Disease

Yes, You Can Avoid Getting Chigger Bites and Still Enjoy the Outdoors

Chiggers usually live in shaded or overgrown areas like forests and wild fields, Townsend says. “They need shelter from the sun and they like high humidity, so they tend to like tall grasses and places where there are mice and small mammals around,” he says. “You’re not going to run into many of them out in mowed or landscaped areas.”

For that reason, keeping yards or outdoor areas well-tended and free of overgrowth and brush are effective ways to keep chigger populations to a minimum. Staying on walking paths — as opposed to making your way through tall grass or wilder areas — is another way to avoid picking up chiggers. (6)

If you’re going to be tramping through woods or picking fruit in a field, those are times when you’ll want to take extra precautions to guard yourself against chiggers. Townsend recommends wearing long pants and tucking them into your socks. “Repellents also help,” he says, mentioning common types like DEET, which is also used to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Be sure to use those repellents on your shoes and lower legs — places chiggers tend to latch on.

And again, taking a hot, soapy shower after you’ve been in chigger-infested areas can help remove them before they cause skin irritation, Townsend says.

Chiggers are a nuisance — and their bites can be incredibly itchy. But if you can resist scratching those bites, they don’t cause any long-term issues or health complications.

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Common Spider Bite Symptoms: Household, Wolf Spider

While some spider bites cause only redness and itching, others are more dangerous. Here’s how to identify spiders that bite — and what to do if you get bitten.

Medically Reviewed

There are more than 50,000 types of spiders in the world. All spiders have eight legs, no wings, and only two body parts: a thorax and an abdomen. They also all have fangs and enough venom to kill the insects that make up their diet. But only a handful of spiders have fangs and venom that can penetrate human skin — including the brown recluse spider, hobo spider, camel spider, wolf spider, black widow spider, and banana spider. Most spiders are harmless and will bite only if they feel threatened. But depending on the spider and its victim, spider bites can cause anything from mild itching and redness to a reaction that becomes a medical emergency. Here’s detailed info on some common spiders and their bites.

The Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider gets its name from its habit of living in dark corners inside or outside homes, such as in woodpiles, closets, attics, and basements. This spider is more common in areas that have warm and dry climates, like the south and central areas of the United States. The brown recluse is about a half-inch to an inch long, is light brown in color, and has a violin-shaped mark on its back. The distinctive mark gives the spider these other nicknames: the violin spider or fiddleback spider.

The Brown Recluse Spider Bite

The brown recluse spider’s venom may cause burning pain and itching within several hours after a bite. The actual bite may cause a stinging sensation or not be felt at all. The bite has the appearance of a bull’s-eye, with a central blister that scabs and falls off, leaving a small ulcer. Possible symptoms include body aches and fever. Children may be at risk for an allergic reaction to the venom. To treat a brown recluse spider bite, immediately wash it and apply an ice pack. You can also use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. In most cases, symptoms resolve within 48 hours, but the central ulcer may take weeks to heal.

The Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider is about the same size as the brown recluse spider (a half-inch to an inch long) and also likes dark places. This spider is usually found outside in sheds, barns, or woodpiles. The black widow can be identified by her shiny black color and a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of her abdomen. Only the bite of the female spider is dangerous. Black widows can be found throughout the United States but are most common in warmer and drier areas.

The Black Widow Spider Bite

The victim of a black widow spider’s bite usually feels it right away, and there may be fang marks and swelling. If you are bitten, you should clean and ice the bite. If the spider has injected venom, you may experience muscle aches and cramps that spread from the bite area to the rest of the body. Possible symptoms include nausea, difficulty breathing, and weakness. If someone bitten by a black widow spider experiences muscle cramps, emergency medical care may include blood pressure medication, muscle relaxants, and, in rare cases, antivenin — a biologic product created to counteract the effects of a spider’s venom. Serious reactions are rare, but are most common in children or very elderly people.

The Hobo Spider

The hobo spider is not native to the United States. It arrived in the northwest from Europe and is now common in California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The spider is about one-half inch long and has long legs that allow it to move quickly on the ground. Its upper body is brown and its abdomen is grayish with yellow markings. The hobo likes to live in cracks or holes both inside and outside.

The Hobo Spider Bite

The hobo bite resembles the brown recluse bite, with a central blister that scabs and ulcerates, surrounded by a ring of swollen discoloration. Within an hour after the bite, the hobo spider’s venom can cause a numbing sensation and muscle or joint aches. After about three days, a black scab falls off, leaving an open, slow-healing type of wound.

The Wolf Spider

The wolf spider is common all over the United States. It doesn’t weave webs, and it gets its name from its habit of stalking prey like a wolf. The wolf spider is brown or gray in color and can be 3 to 4 inches across. Because some wolf spiders are large and hairy, they are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas. The female may be identified by a white egg sac that she carries with her. This spider prefers to live outdoors on the ground in loose sand or gravel, but it may wander indoors and be spotted running across the floor.

The Wolf Spider Bite

The wolf spider’s bite can cause pain, redness, and swelling. Its large fangs may tear the skin, which can become infected and cause lymph nodes to swell. Treatment of a wolf spider bite includes cleansing and icing. Swelling and pain can last up to 10 days, but medical attention is usually not necessary unless the victim is a small child or someone who is sick or elderly.

The Camel Spider

Camel spiders are sometimes called wind scorpions or sun spiders, but in reality, they are neither scorpions nor spiders. They belong to a group of desert creatures called solpugids, and they have elongated bodies that make them look more like scorpions than spiders. The name, derived from Latin, means “escape from the sun.” In the United States, camel spiders can be found in the deserts of the southwest. They are light brown in color, can be up to 5 inches long, and can run at about 10 miles per hour — often making a screaming sound while doing so.

The Camel Spider Bite

During the Iraq war, soldiers described huge camel spiders that seemed to run at them in a screaming attack mode. In reality these creatures, though scary in appearance, are not dangerous to humans, and if they run at someone, they are probably just seeking shade in the person’s shadow. They do not have any venom and do not bite except in self-defense. A bite is very unlikely and would not be dangerous to a person if it did happen.

The Banana Spider

The banana spider is found in warm regions of the United States from North Carolina through the Gulf states. It lives in woodlands and forests and produces large, intricate orb webs that glow golden in the sun. The female has a long shape that resembles a banana. She can be about three inches long and has yellow spots on her tan cylindrical body and brown and orange tufts on her legs. The male banana spider is an inconspicuous dark brown and less than an inch long.

The Banana Spider Bite

The banana spider is often confused with the Brazilian wandering spider, which is found among bananas shipped to the United States from South America; neither spider is native to North America. Although the Brazilian spider bite can be dangerous, the banana spider bite is not. Banana spiders will bite only if held or pinched. The bite produces mild stinging and redness (similar to a bee sting) that quickly goes away.

Insect bite prevention

No summer is complete without insect bites. This is not only unpleasant, but sometimes dangerous to health.

The immune system of each person reacts to bites in different ways: from swelling, itching and pain to anaphylaxis. An anaphylactic reaction can develop after a bite from any insect. Fortunately, this is rare, but people who have experienced any kind of allergic reaction before should be especially vigilant.

An anaphylactic reaction occurs at lightning speed. A person feels weak, then symptoms quickly increase: difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness.

If an anaphylactic reaction occurs, emergency medical attention is needed, as this condition is life-threatening.

A milder allergic reaction to insect bites manifests itself in the form of itching, inflammation of the bite site. When there are many such bites, it causes great discomfort. Often there are complications – the addition of a secondary infection.

5 common insect bites in summer

Mosquito bites are accompanied by severe unbearable itching – this is a reaction to the proteins contained in the saliva of the insect.

In some tropical countries, mosquito bites can transmit diseases such as malaria, Zika fever, Dengue fever, yellow fever.

Wasps, bees and hornets have stingers for self-defense. The sting contains a poisonous substance that enters the bite site, causing severe pain and burning. At the site of the bite, swelling, inflammation, redness and itching may appear. The most dangerous complication of such bites is anaphylaxis. The stings of bees, wasps, bumblebees and hornets are very dangerous for children.

Horseflies attack in hot stuffy weather. Their bite is quite painful, it can cause a sharp burning sensation. Often there is a feeling of itching, inflammation and swelling in the bite area. There may even be a bruise.

There are about 4,000 species of biting midges . The smallest of the flies that attack humans can range in size from 1 to 3 mm. Despite their tiny size, midge bites can be irritating and even cause local pain.

Flea bites leave small sores on the skin, usually several, next to each other, often on the ankles and legs.

First Aid

• apply cold
• remove tip
• clean with antiseptic solution
• do not scratch
• if necessary, drink an antihistamine (recommended by a doctor, observing the age dosage)

Seek medical attention immediately, if you have had a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past, or if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• sudden urticaria
• swelling of the face
• labored breathing
• dizziness
• fainting

Basic precautions for preventing insect bites

Remain calm and walk away slowly if there are wasps, hornets or bees nearby – do not wave your arms and do not try to drive them away.

Wear closed clothing, do not walk barefoot on the grass.

Apply insect repellant to exposed skin or clothing as directed – repellants containing 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide) are most effective.

Avoid using strong perfumes, they can attract insects.

Be careful of flowering plants, trash, standing water, and open areas where food is served.

Avoid camping near bodies of water, do not keep containers filled with water in summer cottages – mosquitoes and horseflies are usually found near water.

In the evening, do not open the windows wide open if they are not equipped with a mosquito net.

It is also recommended that you take extra precautions if you are traveling to a part of the world where there is a risk of serious insect-borne diseases.

Let insects distract you from summer joys as little as possible this year!

Small bugs bite – skin beetle bites

Brown bugs in the apartment are not only a threat to things or products. Despite the fact that skin beetles are not parasites like fleas or bedbugs, they bite people, it is necessary to carry out pest control. When a kozheed bites, it does not anesthetize the place of contact, as they do, for example, bedbugs, so this does not go unnoticed by a person. The bite of the kozheed beetle is felt very clearly and is very unpleasant for almost everyone. Some call it “burning”. It is as if the damaged area of ​​the skin suddenly ignited with “skin-tearing” force. It’s pretty frustrating when something like this happens unexpectedly.

Adult skin beetles bite humans undetected due to their ability to fly. Often they can be confused with a harmless housefly. It is worth noting, though, that flying beetle bites are extremely rare, if ever confirmed. Another thing with the larvae, but more on that below.

Kozheed bites: far-fetched?

Nowhere in the specialized literature is it said that kozheed beetles bite people. Therefore, many people think that skin beetles cannot bite a person. Like, why would they bite if they can “chew” something, such as skin or the same fur.

Why doesn’t science study the behavior of kozheedov in apartments? Because these insects are only important as stock pests in the agricultural industry.

In recent years, we often receive complaints from customers about the bites of these particular insects.

“It would be a delusion to think that skin-eaters don’t bite. They bite and are quite noticeable. Just not as massively as parasites, but often selectively and singly.”

What do skin beetle bites look like? Like pink spots, more like flea bites. In some, they turn into bleeding wounds.

Do skin beetle larvae bite?

It should be remembered that only skin beetle larvae are active around the clock. The beetles themselves do not bite at night, since they are active only during the day (some types of skin beetles are accurate, but vice versa). Therefore, if bed bugs and linen lice are excluded, then skin beetle larvae bite.

In almost all confirmed cases, bites were caused by larvae and not by adults. After all, they, unlike beetles, basically need food and substrate.

On this account, there is a version that the larvae do not bite at all, and what a person feels like a bite can be a kind of “prick”. It is known that “hairy larvae” have a full length of something like bristles that protect the surface of the body. There is an opinion that the larvae, as it were, stick by them to a person lying on a sofa. And he, perplexed about all this, itches in the morning and is lost in conjectures about what can irritate his skin so much.

Examples of complaints about the bites of beetle larvae from our practice are enough. Here is one of them:

“I wake up from the fact that my legs are itching to the point of impossibility. I mechanically sat down, rubbing my eyes to get up, and then I see something: some dark brown furry worms are squirming at the edge of the sofa” Mikhail, Novokuznetsk (client’s name has been changed).

The watchman of a warehouse where fumigation was carried out described his encounter with skin-eaters as follows: I saw them on my leg, as if he was trying to tear off a piece of my skin right through my socks. At the same time, I didn’t feel anything particularly, maybe because I reflexively managed to pull my leg back”

It becomes clear that beetles and their larvae can still bite. Often they are found in the upholstery of sofas and really have a worm-like shape, they shed very often. The skins shed during molting are sometimes indistinguishable from the larvae themselves.

It should be noted that, in general, skin beetle attacks are rare, and in order to force them to such behavior, the population size must be initially high, but conditions must change dramatically for its development. For example, moisture has increased, the apartment has become empty due to the lack of furniture or things during the move, or something else. It is worth noting that sometimes such an aggressive reaction is provoked by an unsuitable substrate for pupation of the larva. In general, those same larvae will not just come out on open surfaces, they love dark, hidden and dusty places. If they come out to bite people, something is wrong.

Why does the kozheed beetle bite?

What makes them do this remains a mystery to many. Perhaps the epidermis – the outer layer of human skin – is of no less interest to beetles than all products of animal origin?

Are kozheeds really dangerous for humans?

In addition to the excruciating bite, there is a real risk of suffering a disease after it. At the stage of growing up, the larvae feed on everything, including decomposed organic matter. Therefore, adults are often infected with helminths (worm eggs). Quite often, the symptoms are: general discomfort, high fever and weakness of the body, mild nausea, diarrhea, etc. Nothing fatal and passes as quickly as a mild poisoning episode with appropriate treatment. However, it is still quite unpleasant that an insect bite can be the cause.

Bitten by a beetle: what to do after

If a skin beetle bites a person, it is necessary to treat the bite in the same way as a bite from any other insect.