What are flea, mite, or chigger bites in children?

Fleas, mites, and chiggers are different kinds of small insects. They are also parasites. This means they feed off the blood, skin, or both, of animals and humans. These insects are more common in the warm weather. They bite skin and cause symptoms like bumps, redness, pain, and itching.

What causes flea, mite, or chigger bites in a child?

Fleas, mites, and chiggers often bite humans, but these bugs are not harmful.  Close contact with the insects outdoors can lead to bites.

Which children are at risk for flea, mite, or chigger bites?

Children who spend more time outdoors in the summer with skin exposed are more likely to get insect bites.

What are the symptoms of flea, mite, or chigger bites in a child?

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:

• Small bumps on the skin.

• Pain or itching in the area.

• Redness, swelling, or blistering.

The symptoms of flea, mite, or chigger bites can seem like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their doctor for a diagnosis.

How are flea, mite, or chigger bites diagnosed in a child?

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. Your child will also have a physical exam.

It may be difficult to tell which type of insect caused the bites. It can also be hard to tell if the symptoms are from poison ivy or other skin condition.

How are flea, mite, or chigger bites treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is. Treatment may include:

• Cleaning the area well with soap and water.

• Giving your child an allergy medicine (antihistamine) for itching. Antihistamines can be taken by mouth (orally) as a pill or liquid. Or they can be applied to the skin (topical) in the form of a cream or ointment. Be sure to follow the instructions on the medicine label.

• Topical (applied to the skin) steroid cream or ointment. Do not use this on the face unless instructed by your doctor.

• Giving your child an over-the-counter pain medicine if advised by the doctor. Follow the doctor’s instructions when giving these medicines to your child. Don’t use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months old. Always talk with your child's doctor before giving these medicines if your child has chronic liver or kidney disease or has ever had a stomach ulcer or GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding. Do not give aspirin to children or teens unless your child’s doctor says it is safe. Aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

• Keeping your child's fingernails short. This is to prevent a skin infection caused by scratching.

What can I do to prevent flea, mite, or chigger bites in my child?

Here are some things you can do to help prevent insect bites in your child:

• Talk with your child's doctor about a safe insect repellent to use on your child.

• Don't use heavily scented soaps, lotions, and other products on your child.

• Have your child wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.

• Tuck your child’s pant legs into their socks or shoes.

• Make sure your child stays away from wooded, brushy, and grassy areas when possible.

• Use products to protect your pets from fleas.

When should I contact my child's doctor?

Call your child’s doctor if your child has the following symptoms:

• Pain or itching that gets worse.

• Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, or fluid leaking from the skin.

• Fever.

• Hives.

• Nausea and vomiting.

Call 911 if your child has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as:

• Trouble breathing.

• Tightness in the throat or chest.

• Dizziness.

Key points about flea, mite, or chigger bites in children

• Fleas, mites, and chiggers are different kinds of small insects.

• They bite skin and cause symptoms, such as bumps, redness, pain, or itching.

• Close contact with the insects outdoors can lead to bites.

• Treatment may include allergy medicine and over-the-counter pain medicine.

• You can help prevent insect bites in your child by using a safe insect repellent.

• Call 911 if your child has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or tightness in the throat or chest.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s doctor:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s doctor after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.