A parasitic bug that eats human skin cells is thriving in the UK right now

The itching can last for days on end (Picture: Getty Images)

As summer winds down and the relentless heatwaves we’ve been having finally dissipate, conditions are just right for leisurely dog walks in the countryside.

But this Goldilocks strolling weather is perfect for something else, too: harvest mites.

These microscopic bright red or orange arachnids, from the same family as spiders and ticks, live in soil, woodlands, fields, tall weeds, and even overgrown gardens.

Also known as chiggers or berry bugs (although the scientific name for the species found in the UK is neotrombicula autumnalis), the six-legged parasitic bugs latch on to animals or humans who brush against the leaves or grass they live in.

Then, once they’ve attached to their host, harvest mites inject digestive enzymes which breaks down skin cells, before consuming the liquefied tissue.

And they thrive around September and October, as eggs laid in the soil the previous year start hatching into hungry larvae.

Signs you’ve been bitten by harvest mites

Unlike with some larger insects, it’s incredibly difficult spot a harvest mite — typically about 0.2mm to 1mm long — with the naked eye.

Instead, you’ll usually only notice you’ve been bitten once the intense itching sets in about 24 hours later.

They’re typically less than a millimetre in size (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chemist4U described the main symptom as ‘itchy red bumps that can appear on your skin in the form of pimples, blisters or small hives,’ adding: ‘Bites are usually found around the waist, ankles and in warm skin folds.’

Often found in clusters, these spots usually get bigger and itchier over several days; a condition known as trombiculosis.

Thankfully, harvest mites found in the UK don’t transmit diseases, whereas their counterparts in East Asia and the South Pacific can lead to a potentially fatal disease called scrub typhus.

Meanwhile, in the USA, chigger bites to the penis have also been known to cause ‘summer penile syndrome’, characterised by swelling and pain. It’s enough to make you grateful you live on this side of the pond.

How to treat harvest mite bites

According to Mayo Clinic, the red, itchy welts normally heal on their own within one to two weeks, but in the meantime showers or baths can help reduce itching.

The NHS also recommends taking the following steps if you’ve been bitten or stung by any insect, including harvest mites:

Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or a clean cloth soaked in cold water to the affected area for at least 20 minutes Use antihistamines to relieve any itching Use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling Avoid scratching the bite or sting, as it could get infected Steer clear of home remedies

Speak to a pharmacist if you’re experiencing pain, or if pus or fluid is coming from the bite, and call 111 if symptoms continue to worsen or don’t improve, or you experience other issues like stomach pain, sickness, dizziness, or a temperature.

As with most things, prevention is better than cure, so do try to keep skin covered to reduce your risk of being targeted.

What to do if your dog gets bitten

Although humans (particularly pet owners, who are likely to be out in harvest mite habitats) can fall victim to the arachnids, dogs are extra vulnerable.

Keep an eye out for your furry friend itching, licking or biting themselves, along with inflammation and redness of the skin.

Dogs are especially vulnerable when exploring the harvest mite’s natural habitat (Picture: Getty Images)

If you suspect a harvest mite infestation, you should speak to your vet — especially if your pet shows symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, a raised temperature, or muscle tremors. This could suggest seasonal canine illness (SCI), a rare condition which has been linked to the bugs.

‘At home, owners will not be able to kill harvest mites or remove the infestation completely, but bathing your dog in a soothing shampoo containing ingredients such as Ophytrium can help to reduce inflammation and soothe itchy skin while you are waiting to see your vet,’ adds Dr Tanya Leslie, veterinary advisor for Douxo.

‘If your dog has broken skin due to itching or biting, there is an added risk of bacterial or yeast infections; shampoos containing chlorhexidine can help disinfect the skin and manage bacterial overgrowth.’

Don’t forget to keep up-to-date with their flea treatments too, since this makes it less likely that they’ll catch harvest mites in first place.

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