Chiggers

[Answerprancer]

(no not the reformed alcoholic co-presenter of multi-coloured swap-shop)

Has anyone experienced these parasites (also known as "harvest mites") ?

I was lounging around in long grass in a field near where I live recently (June) and I ended up being infested with these itchy beasties. Very nasty - they're microscopic and they glue themselves into your hair follicles. The only way to get rid of them apparently is either to have a hot shower, or if they've already got to you, dab the entry points with clear nail-varnish.

I thought they were confined to the Americas but apparently not.

[mike11111]

With the best of intentions, and I hope you won't take any offence, I suggest immediate sleepies - after all when you wake up later people will still have a mental picture of you lying in long grass and dabbing your entry points with clear nail varnish.

[Answerprancer]

Oh alright - nighty night Mr 11111 (I wonder what I'll miss)

[Answerprancer]

...and get off my entry points!

[thugulike]

I posted a warning here a while back. My mastiff had very sore paws after an infestation and I had a very itchy head. Nasty beasts but easily treated with frontline

[KARL]

They are very well known and widespread. In summer it is impossible to avoid them in many countryside areas and the best way to deal with them is to shower immediately you are indoors and put all your clothing in for a wash because they are still there, particularly in underwear and anything worn below the waist. Preventative measures (before going out) include using insecticide on clothing from about the knee downward and on footwear, plus (if this is an option) tucking trousers into long socks. It is the powerful enzyme chiggers injecect into our skin when biting that causes the itch as we try to eliminate it and heal. The enzyme liquefies a tiny area of skin and they suck it up (nice ?).