Do you have a summer rash that looks a little too serious? If your skin condition demands slightly more attention than usual, you could be having a chigger bite or poison ivy.
You’ve probably heard of them before and must be here confused about which of these is reflecting on your skin. Well, worry not; I am here to explain to you just what each of these skin conditions is and how to differentiate them from each other. Read till the end, so you don’t miss any vital details!
What Are Chiggers?
Chiggers are commonly known as “berry bugs” or “harvest mites” found in grasslands and forests. These red mites can become a nuisance while in their larvae stage, and they are responsible for giving the so-called “chigger bites.”
The tiny bugs can attach to your clothes or exposed skin in events of walking across infested grasslands, and this allows them to feed on the human system.
What Is Poison Ivy?
Poison ivy is one of the three kinds of poison plants that cause irritations on the skin. As their name suggests, they are ivies and contain toxins that are harmful to human skin.
Poison ivy is allergenic and hence called ‘poison’ for its tendency to induce painful rashes, sometimes resulting in blisters. They are found in forests, riverbanks, wetlands, fields, and other uninhabited areas.
Differences Between Poison Ivy and Chigger Bites
Here is a Poison ivy vs. Chigger bites table of how you can distinguish between the two skin conditions. They are both similar but can be easily identifiable once you know their origins and appearance.
| Poison Ivy | Chigger Bites |
|---|---|
| Poison ivy is an allergenic shrub, vine, or plant. | Chiggers are reddish mites found in infested grasslands or forests. |
| The rashes caused by poison ivy can be bumps, skin inflammation, or blisters. | 2. The rashes of chigger bites are pimple-like itchy red spots on the skin. |
| The rashes can last for up to a month or even longer. | 3. The rashes generally diminish in about a fortnight. |
| The poison can be spread through contact with plant (poison ivy) oil that lingers on objects. | 4. Chigger bites can only happen when in contact with the mite and not through secondary sources. |
| The blisters can leave scars, but this is only in some severe cases. | 5. Chigger bites do not leave scars; they eventually fade in a matter of days. |
What Does a Chigger Bite Look Like
Chigger bites are not actually “bites” but are caused by the mites chewing on the inner layer of skin. This causes irritations on the skin and eventually develops into tiny, red rashes.
Chigger bites look like clusters of red spots, and one can even mistake them for a pimple or a mosquito bite at first. With time, the rashes become itchy and even lead to crust formation.
A chigger bite is extremely itchy, and people who have experienced it are willing to exchange it for any other kind of rash. So you might want to be a little cautious while outdoors.
Treating Chigger Bites
Although the chigger bites will naturally recede after about a week or two, you can still rely on some simple home remedies to prevent the rashes from escalating.
Firstly, you will need to wash the affected area with cold water and soap. Applying rubbing alcohol, nail polish, and similar chemicals will kill the mites and stop the process altogether.
Alternatively, you can use a calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream as itch relievers. You can also use some topical ointments to reduce swelling and redness.
How Dangerous Are Chigger Bites
Besides the itchy sensation, chigger bites do not carry any dangerous diseases. However, headache, fever, cough, and muscle pain can develop in cases when the mites are infected with bacteria.
A piece of helpful advice is not to scratch the area as it can damage the skin layer and lead to scarring. If you follow this and regularly tend to your rashes with treatments, your chigger bite will be gone in no time.
Poison Ivy & Bug Bites
The rash from poison ivy first develops as an allergy with sustained itching. Then it forms bumps and inflammation, which is primarily reddish in color. With further progress of rashes, it develops into blisters.
Poison ivy rash can look like bug bites because of the redness and clustered formation. Their distinguishing aspect is that they have blisters that contain fluids.
The rashes can last from a few days up to a month. It is best to treat it as quickly as possible.
Treating Skin Irritations Caused by Poison Ivy
As in most cases of contact with skin irritants, you have to first wash the affected area with cold water and soap or rubbing alcohol. Then you can move on to apply a calamine lotion, an astringent, and an itch reliever.
During events of prolonged discomfort, you can opt for an oatmeal bath. Baths are one of the best ways to ease pain and also improve blood circulation.
How to Prevent Chigger Bites and Poison Ivy
You can easily prevent chigger bites by avoiding walking around areas that look contaminated and unpleasant. If you have to walk around such places, do not keep your skin exposed.
As soon as you reach home, remove your outerwear and clean yourself as quickly as possible. This will prevent any chances of lingering mites from furthering progress.
On the other hand, poison ivy can be avoided by not making contact with wild plants and wearing protective clothing while in close proximity to them. You can even choose to wear a barrier cream during outdoor activities.
A better option will be just to get rid of the plants if you notice any, and it is a better option than suffering days, if not weeks, from a tiny amount of oil from such allergenic plants.
Other Things You Should Know
What can be mistaken for poison ivy rash?
Psoriasis, a skin condition that causes itching and scaly patches, can be mistaken for poison ivy.
Can chigger bites spread?
Chigger bites do not spread from person to person.
Can poison ivy spread?
Poison ivy cannot spread by touching an infected person’s rash, but you can be infected through objects that have traces of poison ivy oil.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, the defining properties of each skin condition, their origins, and their unique features. They both have different sources– one is a plant-based irritant, while the other is mites. However, they give rise to similar skin conditions.
You must have realized that rashes aren’t something to be taken lightly. They can be irritable, both physically and mentally, and hinder the progress of many actions and plans.
Since you’ve read this far, I believe you now understand the differences between chigger bites and poison ivy. If you found this helpful, share this knowledge with your friends and family. And lastly, remember to follow the precautions with strict observance!