Thrombicula is a type of tiny mite that attaches to humans when they walk through infested vegetation. Bites from these arachnids almost always occur in areas where the skin is thinnest, such as the ankles, wrists, groin, armpit, and back of the knee. Although many people believe that the thrombicula remains under the skin in the bite area, fortunately it is an urban legend! If you've been bitten by one of these mites, you can relieve symptoms at home. In rare cases, you may need medical attention. If you don't know which animal you were bitten by, there are ways to recognize injuries from a Trombiculidae mite.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieve the Symptoms at Home
Step 1. Take a cold shower as soon as you realize you have been bitten
The idea of jumping under ice water may seem unpleasant, but this treatment can reduce the inflammation caused by a mite bite, relieving the itchiness. Scrub your skin with soap to remove any other thrombicules, as well as any digestive enzymes administered with the bite that are left on you.
- Soap and rinse several times. This will eliminate most of the mites that have attached themselves to your body.
- If you don't want to shower, you can try a cold bath or apply cold compresses to your skin. However, this is not as effective a method of removing thrombicules and their enzymes. If you decide to wash in the tub, you can add a few tablespoons of colloidal oats to the water to help relieve itching.
Step 2. Apply hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching
You can find ointments with 1% hydrocortisone at the drugstore. Only massage the cream where you were bitten and not the surrounding skin. Use as little ointment as possible.
- Ask your doctor for advice before using hydrocortisone cream on children under the age of 12, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You can reapply the cream every 4-6 hours, as needed.
Step 3. Use calamine lotion as an alternative to hydrocortisone cream
Calamine is also able to relieve itching due to thrombicula bites. To apply, shake the bottle of lotion, then pour a drop on a cotton ball. Spread the lotion on the bite and let it dry before covering it with clothing.
- Ask your doctor for advice before using calamine lotion on children under the age of 12, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- If necessary, you can reapply the lotion every 4 hours.
Step 4. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching and inflammation
Diphenhydranime is a great choice, but you can also use drugs that do not cause sleepiness, such as cetirizine and loratadine. These treatments suppress the body's reaction to the bite of this mite, relieving itching and swelling.
- Ask your doctor for advice before taking antihistamines, especially if you are already taking other medications.
- Follow all dosing instructions indicated on the package insert. Remember that some antihistamines can be taken every 4 hours, while others can be taken once a day.
- Antihistamines can cause drowsiness.
Step 5. As an alternative to relieve itching, apply camphor oil
You can easily find it at the pharmacy. You can even use Vicks Vaporub, which contains camphor as an active ingredient! Just smear it on wounds to reduce itching. However, if you have sensitive skin, camphor can irritate it. In that case, it is better to choose another treatment.
If necessary, you can reapply camphor several times a day
Step 6. Relieve itching by soaking in an oatmeal bath
Add 85g of ground oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath. Stay soaked for 15 minutes, then rinse your skin.
- Avoid staying in water for more than 15 minutes or taking more than one oatmeal bath a day, as you risk drying out your skin, making it more itchy.
- You can find colloidal oats to add to tub water at a drugstore or on the internet. Alternatively, just grind some oatmeal for breakfast and use them in the bath water.
Step 7. Use a baking soda paste to relieve itching
Baking soda is another option for relieving itching. Pour it into a clean bowl, then add a small amount of water, mixing until it forms a thick paste. Add more baking soda or more water until you get the desired consistency. Apply the paste to the wounds and let it dry before rinsing.
It is not necessary to measure the baking soda. All you need is enough paste to cover the bites
Step 8. Hold wet aspirin against the bite as an alternative to other treatments
Aspirin will reduce pain, itching and swelling. However, it must be wet to work.
You can also chop the aspirin and add some water to form a paste. Apply the paste on the bites and let it dry before rinsing
Step 9. Avoid scratching, as this could cause an infection
Scratching your skin can injure yourself, potentially causing an infection. Plus, it won't help relieve itching!
- Trim your nails well if you can't stop scratching.
- To avoid scratching, you can cover the bite area with clear nail polish or vinyl glue.
- If you injure your skin, apply antiseptic ointment to prevent infections.
Step 10. Wash the clothes you were wearing in hot water
The trombicules may have remained inside the clothes and still bite you when you put them back on! As soon as you realize you've been hit by these mites, wash your clothes in hot, soapy water. This will kill the thrombicules and minimize the chances of them spreading.
Method 2 of 3: Look for Medical Treatments
Step 1. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve after 3 days
It is normal for the itching to get worse in the 24-48 hours after the bite, but the situation should improve by the third day. If the symptoms do not relieve or you notice that the swelling, pain, or pus increases, it is best to see a doctor.
In some cases, your doctor might give you cortisone injections to treat the extreme itching and swelling
Step 2. See a doctor if you notice any signs of an infection
Rarely the bites of this mite become infected, but it can happen. Usually, the infection comes from the wounds you cause yourself by scratching. In this case, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. You need to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Fever;
- Flu symptoms;
- Swollen glands
- Redness;
- Swelling;
- Pus;
- Ache.
Step 3. See your doctor if you notice symptoms of thrombiculosis in the penile area
If these mites bite you in the groin area, they can cause swelling and itching around the penis. Also, you may have problems urinating. In this case, you need to see a doctor.
- Your doctor can help you by alleviating symptoms and avoiding complications.
- This disorder can last for a few days or a couple of weeks, so it is best to get the right treatment right away to ensure the best course of the disease.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Trombicula Bites
Step 1. Notice if you have severe itching
You may notice the itch before you even know you have been bitten. This happens because the wound does not become visible for a couple of hours. Usually, scratching is the first indication of a bite.
In the case of a thrombicula bite, the itching worsens 1-2 days after the episode
Step 2. Notice the appearance of a red wart approximately 1-3 hours after the bite
The wart can be flat or raised. In some cases, you will develop a pustule or blister, but not always.
Step 3. Look for groups of bites
Often you will confuse this mite's bites with an irritation or skin problem, because they occur in clusters. However, this is the normal manifestation of these bites, especially if you have spent a lot of time outdoors.
Step 4. Think about whether you have been outdoors
Almost all thrombicula bites occur after meeting a group of larvae, which have to adhere to an organism. Unfortunately, humans are ideal victims! These tiny insects are common in grassy areas or near streams. They are most common from late spring to early autumn.
Step 5. Note the presence of swelling in the groin area
Unfortunately, thrombiculae prefer to bite in the groin, where the skin is thinnest. In some cases, this can cause severe irritation in the penile area, which causes itching, swelling, and problems urinating.
Symptoms can last from a minimum of a few days to a few weeks
Advice
- Apply a non-toxic and gentle anti-insect and arachnid spray to the skin of the ankles, waist and all areas in close contact with clothing, to keep thrombiculae away.
- Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants when exploring areas that can be infested with thrombicules. Keep the sleeves closed and tuck the pants into your socks.
- Thrombicules do not stay under the skin after biting you! It is an urban legend. Avoid treatments that involve applying nail polish, bleach, alcohol, or turpentine to the bite to suffocate the mite, as these will only further irritate the skin.
