Attack of the chiggers!!!!

Meet the chigger. This nasty little thing feed on the skin cells, but not blood, of animals, including humans. The six-legged parasitic larva feeds on a large variety of creatures including humans. After crawling onto their host, they inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They do not actually "bite," but instead form a hole in the skin called a stylostome and chew up tiny parts of the inner skin, thus causing severe irritation and swelling. The severe itching is accompanied by red pimple-like bumps or hives and skin rash or lesions on a sun-exposed area. For humans, itching usually occurs after the larvae detach from the skin.

A few weeks ago Jon came up with a really fun Dallin, Mommy, Daddy date. He found a place where we could rent a small fishing boat and drive around the lake. Since Dallin (nor his mother, SO SAD I know!) had ever been on a boat, it was pretty exciting. We had a great time. Dallin LOVED the lake. We actually removed him kicking and screaming. The next day I was itching like a mad woman! Then I saw this! (this picture is from day 3!) I had been attached by chiggers! Jon and Dallin escaped without a single bite! For those of you who haven't had a chigger bite- consider yourself LUCKY! They itch so incredible bad. Mosquitoes are nothing compared to chiggers. I itched so bad I truly thought I was going to rid my skin off! I tried every anti-itch lotion, cream, ointment and NOTHING worked! I washed with lye soap and used rubbing alcohol on the spots and that helped a little. Saturday night I itched so bad it kept me up all night! To make things worse the next day I got at least 10 more bites all over my body and I was only outside for a few minutes. AHHH!