Chiggers transfer?

[EarthMother]

:o I do know that chiggers are bugs. I know they don't really bury into your skin but do drill in for food then drop off. I can't find an answer to this. Can or do chiggers move from one person to another? Since fleas, ticks, scabies, and other bugs can and will go from one to another and chiggers are bugs it makes sense to me. My poor little Grandson was covered with bites. I sat up until 2:30 am treating bites, rubbing bites, dispensing benydryl and Tylenol. Now I have bites and itchy spots all over me and I haven't been close to weeds in weeks. Does anyone have any ideas or answers?

[Katrina-Sisu]

I haven't heard of them doing this but it wouldn't surprise me. I've always gotten chigger bites and then my sister or dad would get them from sitting on the couch after me. I never stopped to think they could spread.

I found this link and it sounds like they can be spread.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1035.html

Chiggers can infest inanimate objects lying on the ground, such as clothes and blankets. Avoid setting such articles on the ground if you believe chiggers are present. Clothes and blankets suspected to be infested with chiggers should be washed in hot water.

[sbemt456]

Chiggers are small little things, they dont eat much.lol But yes they are miserable critters. I have been eaten up most of the summer from picking green beans and blackberries. Not to mention the ticks, I have had 4 of them bite this year. My opinion is that they can be gotten from places other than being out doors. We usually put nail polish on them. They will stop itching and die. Believe me I have used more than my share of nail polish this year.

Good luck with getting rid of them.

stella

[Terri]

They are living things with legs: I expect that if you brush against them you could be brushing them onto your clothing.

[SkooliesRock]

http://www.extension.org/pages/Watch_Out_for_Chiggers_This_Summer

[redneckrn]

Makes sense that the little critters could drop off clothing, etc. & hop right onto another object-- like you. I did a bunch of research on these tiny bugs that make everybody MISERABLE. Here's the scoop & the SOLUTION TO THE ITCH.
As you know, they are tiny bugs (about the size of the tip of a pin. They usually live on the tips of tall grass - which makes it easier to hop onto a passing person/animal. They are so fragile that they need something to hold onto - like clothing or hair on legs.
When they bite- they inject their saliva into your skin to liquify the skin so they can literally suck up your tissue. The itch comes from their saliva.
Sometimes you won't feel the itch until a day after you've been bitten. The MOST important thing is to of course, use repellent & ALWAYS shower & rub yourself down with a soapy cloth immediately after you've been in an area such as the woods or just an area with tall grass.
Now here's the cure for the itch & yes, it does work - I've tried it. When you FIRST get the SLIGHTEST itch -get some powdered meat tendrizer (mine is McCormick - unseasoned), wet the tip of your finger, & dip it into the tenderizer & RUB THE LIVING HELL ON THE AREAS THAT ITCH. If you do this right away, you will have better luck. This stuff is salty, so don't be alarmed if it does burn just a tad at first. Do NOT remove the tenderizer from your skin & if the itch returns, repeat the above. It doesn't take much to do the job. Be sure to read the label- you want the kind with bromelain in it. This is the stuff that literally neutralizes chigger "spit". I don't see any reason why this couldn't be used on kids either. It has literally been responsible for maintaining mine & my hubby's sanity.