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From: chappell@aylmer.uchicago.edu (Chappell)
Newsgroups: rec.pets,sci.bio
Subject: Re: CHIGGERS
Message-ID: <5027@tank.uchicago.edu>
Date: 16 Aug 89 20:46:09 GMT
References: <3138@virginia.acc.virginia.edu>
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Reply-To: chappell@galton.UUCP (Chappell)
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In article <3138@virginia.acc.virginia.edu> mec4n@boole.acc.Virginia.EDU (Mary ellen J. Carrera) writes:
>Having conquered the flea problem with my cats, I now have a new one - 
>CHIGGERS! I am living in Virginia, and in the last few weeks, my cats
>the other in the armpit. My vet suggested cortisone cream, and I have
>been using antibiotic cream as well, as these are open sores. Does
>anyone know if flea spray will even work on chiggers (they burrow under
>the skin, which causes the bumps). Anyone have any advice on how to

I hail from Texas, and therefore am an expert in practical parasitology.
In addition to quite a few senior members of Congress, Texas is host to
fleas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, lice, scorpions, sundry other venomous
arachnids, fire ants, wasps, and killer bees -  not to mention a fine
assortment of spiny plants.

In general, I find the best and least noxious defense against chiggers
is a physical barrier.  Shirt tucked into jeans and jeans tucked into boots.
Sulfur around the edges of the pants (top and bottom) further helps.  Clad like
this, you're pretty safe.  Elemental sulfur (called flowers of sulfur in
drug stores) is cheap, environmentally safe, nonstaining, and benign to
humans (externally).  On cats, however, ask your vet, seeing as how they
would lick it off.

Tall grass harbors chiggers so mowing might help, although I am
reluctant to suggest habitat instruction.

They do not burrow in immediately.  In humans, washing after an
exposure is a good idea and for cats brushing might work.

As far as treatment, I and various friends consider topical
applications (cortisone, calamine) to be a slight help.  Systemics work
better.  Antihistamines have worked well, with a shot of cortisone
almost a miracle cure for me in one case where I got bitten by several
hundred of the buggers.  A vet would be reluctant to give too many shots,
because the steroid may damage liver & kidneys.

I know of no cure for congressmen. 


-Spike.