Harvest mites are small mites that move and attach to the human body from the plants they live in. Most harvest mite bites occur in thin-skinned areas such as the ankles, waist, groin, armpits, and behind the knees. Although many people think these mites stay under the skin after biting, this is just a myth! If you are bitten by a harvest mite, you can reduce your symptoms at home. However, in a minority of cases, you may need medical treatment. In the meantime, there are several ways you can identify a harvest mite bite, if you're still in doubt.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Relieve the Symptoms at Home
Step 1. Take a cold shower as soon as you notice a mite bite
As uncomfortable as it sounds, a cold shower can help reduce inflammation caused by a mite bite. Thus, reducing the itching! Rub the soap on your body to get rid of the mites as well as any residual digestive enzymes that may still be attached to the surface of the skin.
- Rub the soap once again all over the body then rinse with water several times. This step will kill most of the harvest mites that are still attached.
- While it won't be as effective at getting rid of the mites and their digestive enzymes, you can take a bath or use a cold compress if you don't want to take a shower. If you choose to soak, you can add a few tablespoons of colloidal oatmeal to help reduce itching.
Step 2. Apply hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching
You can buy 1% hydrocortisone cream without a prescription. Apply this cream only on the site of the mite bite, and avoid the surrounding skin area. Use this cream as little as possible.
- Before giving hydrocortisone cream to children under 12 years old, or pregnant and lactating women, first consult with a doctor.
- You can apply the cream every 4-6 hours if necessary.
Step 3. Use calamine lotion instead of hydrocortisone cream
Calamine lotion can also relieve itching caused by harvest mite bites. Shake the bottle, then pour about a spoonful of lotion onto a cotton swab. Apply lotion to the bite site and allow it to dry before you put your clothes back on.
- Before giving calamine lotion to children under 12 years old, or pregnant and lactating women, first consult with a doctor.
- You can apply calamine lotion every 4 hours if necessary.
Step 4. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching and inflammation
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a good option. However, you can also take a non-drowsy antihistamine such as cetirizine (Ozen) or loratadine (Claritin). This medication will reduce the body's reaction to the mite bite, thereby relieving the itching and swelling.
- Talk to your doctor first before taking antihistamines, especially if you are also taking other medications.
- Follow all the dosage instructions listed on the packaging. Remember that some antihistamines can be taken every 4 hours, while other antihistamines should only be taken once a day.
- You may feel drowsy while taking antihistamines.
Step 5. Apply camphor oil as an alternative to relieve itching
Camphor oil is easy to find at your local drugstore. You can even use Vicks Vaporub because the active ingredient is camphor! Simply apply camphor oil to the site of the mite bite to relieve the itching. However, if your skin is sensitive, camphor may be irritating. If so, you should use other drugs.
You can use this oil several times a day if necessary
Step 6. Soak in an oatmeal solution to reduce itching
Place 1 cup (about 85 grams) of ground oats or colloidal oatmeal in a tub of warm water. Soak in it for 15 minutes then wash your skin.
- Do not soak for more than 15 minutes or more than once a day in the oatmeal solution because it can dry out your skin. Dry skin will actually make itching worse.
- You can buy colloidal oatmeal for a soak at your local drugstore or online. Another option, puree plain oats and then use for soaking.
Step 7. Use a baking soda paste to reduce itching
Baking soda is another alternative to relieve itching. Pour the baking soda into a clean bowl, then add the water and mix until it forms a thick paste. Add more baking soda or water as needed until a paste forms. Apply this paste to the site of the mite bite and allow it to dry before rinsing.
You don't need to measure the baking soda exactly. You only need to prepare enough paste to apply all over the site of the mite bite
Step 8. Apply wet aspirin to the bite site as an alternative treatment
Aspirin can reduce pain, itching, and swelling. However, you have to wet it first.
You can also grind the aspirin first and then pour in the water until it forms a paste. Apply this paste to the bite site and allow it to dry before rinsing
Step 9. Avoid scratching the mite bite as it can trigger infection
Scratching a mite bite can tear your skin, which can lead to infection. Not only that, your itching will not decrease.
- Trim your fingernails short if you're having trouble keeping yourself from scratching the bite.
- Try applying clear nail polish or white glue to the mite bite to prevent scratching.
- If your skin breaks, use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Step 10. Wash all the clothes you are wearing in hot water
Harvest mites may still cling to your clothes and bite again! To prevent this, as soon as you find a harvest mite bite, wash all your clothes in hot water and detergent. This will kill the mites and reduce the chances of them spreading.
Method 2 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days
Normally, itching due to mite bites will get worse in the first 1 or 2 days, but will begin to subside by the third day. If your symptoms don't improve or if the mite bite gets worse, becomes more painful, or has pus, you should see a doctor.
In some cases, your doctor may give you steroid injections to treat extreme itching and swelling
Step 2. Visit a doctor if you find any signs of infection
Although rare, harvest mite bites sometimes become infected. Usually, this infection is caused by scratching the skin. If this happens, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Symptoms you should watch out for include:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Swollen glands
- Redness
- Swollen
- Pus
- Painful
Step 3. See a doctor if you experience symptoms of summer penile syndrome
If harvest mites bite the groin area, the area around the penis may swell and itch. You may also have difficulty urinating. If this happens, you should see a doctor.
- Doctors can help relieve symptoms as well as prevent complications.
- This syndrome can last from a few days to a few weeks. So, it is best to seek help as soon as possible.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Harvest Mite Bites
Step 1. Observe extreme itching
The itching may be present before you even realize you have been bitten by a mite. The reason is, the mite bite will not immediately appear on the surface of the skin until several hours later. Scratching is often the first indication you have been bitten by a mite.
Harvest mites cause severe itching for the first 1-2 days after biting
Step 2. Watch for raised red welts on the skin about 1-3 hours after you were bitten
These welts may be flat or raised. Although not always, sometimes a pimple or blister will appear on your skin.
Step 3. Observe the bite wound that looks like clusters
Harvest mite bites are often difficult to distinguish from rashes or other skin diseases because they appear in groups. However, this is normal in the case of harvest mite bites, especially after you have spent a long time outdoors.
Step 4. Recall whether you have ever been outdoors
Most cases of harvest mite bites occur when you come into contact with a group of mite larvae attached to the host. Unfortunately, humans can also host mites! This small pest is commonly found in grassy areas or near watercourses. In 4 seasons countries, harvest mites are most commonly found in late spring to early fall.
Step 5. Watch out for swelling in the groin area
Unfortunately, harvest mites like to bite the groin area because it is easy to reach. In some cases, these bites can cause summer penile syndrome which causes itching, swelling, and difficulty urinating.
Symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks
Tips
- Spray a non-toxic insect repellent that's gentle on the skin around the ankles, waist, or other tight areas of the body to repel mites.
- Harvest mites don't continue to stay under your skin after biting. This is just a myth! Avoid using ingredients such as nail polish, bleach, alcohol, and turpentine at the site of the mite bite to make it suffocate. Using these ingredients will only irritate your skin even more.
- Wear loose clothing, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when exploring areas where harvest mites live. Tighten the cuffs and consider tucking the hem of the pants into the socks.
