Chigger vs. Jigger — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 5, 2024
Chiggers are tiny mites causing itchy skin irritations, primarily through larval bites, whereas jiggers refer to sand fleas, known for burrowing into skin, causing infections.
Difference Between Chigger and Jigger
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chiggers, technically known as trombiculid mites, are microscopic organisms whose larvae bite humans and animals, leading to intense itching and dermatitis. In contrast, jiggers, or Tunga penetrans, are small insects that physically burrow into the skin of their hosts, primarily in the feet, and can lead to severe infections and other complications.
While chiggers are found primarily in grassy or forested areas, affecting those who walk through or linger in such environments, jiggers are often encountered in sandy terrains, such as beaches and dusty pathways, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
Chigger bites typically result in red, itchy bumps on the skin, which are actually reactions to the digestive enzymes released by the mites while feeding. On the other hand, jiggers embed themselves in the skin, leading to painful and potentially harmful lesions that can become severely infected if not treated properly.
Management of chigger bites involves avoiding scratching, using antihistamines, and applying topical ointments to alleviate itching. Conversely, jigger infestations require careful extraction of the flea and medical treatment to prevent secondary infections and ensure complete removal of the flea parts.
Awareness and prevention are key in dealing with both pests. Avoiding known habitats and using protective measures such as insect repellent and appropriate clothing can help prevent chigger bites, whereas jiggers necessitate maintaining clean, sandy environments and wearing protective footwear to avoid infestation.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Mite (Arachnid)
Flea (Insect)
Stage
Larvae bite
Adult burrows
Symptoms
Itchy red bumps, dermatitis
Painful sores, potential infection
Habitat
Grassy, forested areas
Sandy, dusty environments
Treatment
Antihistamines, topical ointments
Extraction, medical intervention
Compare with Definitions
Chigger
Found in humid, vegetative areas.
Chiggers thrived in the overgrown fields near the river.
Jigger
Removal requires surgical intervention.
The doctor used a sterile needle for the jigger extraction.
Chigger
Their bites inject enzymes that cause dermatitis.
The chigger bites caused severe itching and redness.
Jigger
A small flea that burrows into skin.
The jigger had embedded itself in the sole of his foot.
Chigger
Known for intense itching post-bite.
He used calamine lotion to soothe the chigger bites.
Jigger
Common in tropical and subtropical climates.
Jiggers are a major issue in many warm, sandy regions.
Chigger
Prevention involves protective clothing.
They wore long sleeves and pants to protect against chiggers during their forest trek.
Jigger
Protective footwear can prevent infestation.
Wearing shoes is essential to avoid jiggers on the beach.
Chigger
Tiny parasitic larvae causing skin irritation.
After hiking, she noticed several chigger bites on her legs.
Jigger
Causes severe infections if untreated.
She sought medical help to treat the jigger infection.
Chigger
A tropical flea, the female of which burrows and lays eggs beneath the host's skin, causing painful sores.
Jigger
A person who jigs or operates a jig.
Chigger
A harvest mite.
Jigger
A small measure for liquor, usually holding 1 1/2 ounces.
Chigger
Any of various small, six-legged larvae of mites of the family Trombiculidae that parasitize humans and other vertebrates. The chigger's bite produces a wheal that is usually accompanied by severe itching. Also called chigoe, harvest bug, harvest mite, jigger2, red bug.
Jigger
This amount of liquor.
Chigger
See chigoe.
Jigger
A device, such as a drill, that operates with a jerking or jolting motion.
Chigger
A chigoe (Tunga penetrans), a kind of flea found in tropical climates.
Jigger
A light all-purpose tackle.
Chigger
A harvest mite, a very small, red mite endemic to the Midwestern and Southeastern US, the infestation of which causes intense itching.
Jigger
A small sail set in the stern of a yawl or similar boat.
Chigger
An East Asian person who behaves in ways similar to a stereotypical urban African American.
Jigger
A boat having such a sail.
Chigger
A small tropical flea (Tunga penetrans, formerly Pulex penetrans); same as chigoe.
Jigger
A jigger mast.
Chigger
Small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the skin of the host including humans
Jigger
(Informal) An article or a device, the name of which eludes one.
Jigger
See chigger.
Jigger
See chigoe.
Jigger
To tamper with or manipulate (data, for example) so as to achieve a desired result.
Jigger
(US) A double-ended vessel, generally of stainless steel or other metal, one end of which typically measures 1½ fluid ounces (approx. 44 ml), the other typically 1 fluid ounce (approx. 30 ml).
Jigger
(US) A measure of 1½ fluid ounces (approx. 44 ml) of liquor.
Jigger
A drink of whisky.
Jigger
(mining) The sieve used in sorting or separating ore.
Jigger
(mining) One who jigs; a miner who sorts or cleans ore by the process of jigging.
Jigger
(pottery) A horizontal lathe used in producing flatware.
Jigger
(textiles) A device used in the dyeing of cloth.
Jigger
A pendulum rolling machine for slicking or graining leather.
Jigger
A bicycle.
Jigger
A golf club used to play low flying shots to the putting green from short distances.
Jigger
A warehouse crane.
Jigger
(nautical) A light tackle, consisting of a double and single block and the fall, used for various purposes, as to increase the purchase on a topsail sheet in hauling it home; the watch tackle.
Jigger
(nautical) A jiggermast.
Jigger
A small fishing vessel, rigged like a yawl.
Jigger
(fishing) A device used by fishermen to set their nets under the ice of frozen lakes.
Jigger
(archaic) One who dances jigs; an odd-looking person.
Jigger
(New Zealand) A short board or plank inserted into a tree for a person to stand on while cutting off higher branches.
Jigger
(US) A placeholder name for any small mechanical device.
Jigger
A railway jigger, a small motorized or human powered vehicle used by railway workers to traverse railway tracks.
Jigger
The bridge or rest for the cue in billiards.
Jigger
(horse racing) An illicit electric shock device used to urge on a horse during a race.
Jigger
(archaic) A streetcar drawn by a single horse.
Jigger
(archaic) A kind of early electric cash register.
Jigger
A sandflea, Tunga penetrans, of the order Siphonaptera; chigoe.
Jigger
A larva of any of several mites in the family Trombiculidae; chigger, harvest mite.
Jigger
A prison; a jail cell.
Jigger
An alleyway separating the backs of two rows of houses.
Jigger
A vagina.
Jigger
A door.
Jigger
(slang) An illegal distillery.
Jigger
A lock pick.
Jigger
To alter or adjust, particularly in ways not originally intended.
You'll have to jigger it from the original specifications to get it to work.
Jigger
(pottery) To use a jigger.
Jigger
To move, send, or drive with a jerk; to jerk; also, to drive or send over with a jerk, as a golf ball.
Jigger
To imprison.
Jigger
To confound; to damn.
Jigger
A species of flea (Tunga penetrans, or Sarcopsylla penetrans, or Pulex penetrans), which burrows beneath the skin; called also jigger flea. See Chigoe.
Jigger
Any one of several species of small red mites (esp. Tetranychus irritans and Tetranychus Americanus) of the family Trombiculidae, which, in the larval or leptus stage, burrow beneath the skin of man and various animals, causing great annoyance. Also called chigger.
Jigger
One who, or that which, jigs; specifically, a miner who sorts or cleans ore by the process of jigging; also, the sieve used in jigging.
Jigger
A horizontal table carrying a revolving mold, on which earthen vessels are shaped by rapid motion; a potter's wheel.
Jigger
A light tackle, consisting of a double and single block and the fall, used for various purposes, as to increase the purchase on a topsail sheet in hauling it home; the watch tackle.
Jigger
A pendulum rolling machine for slicking or graining leather; same as Jack, 4 (i).
Jigger
A small glass or measuring vessel holding 1½ ounces (45 ml), used mostly for measuring liquor or drinking whiskey; also, the quantity of liquid held in a jigger.
Jigger
A thingamajig.
Jigger
To move, send, or drive with a jerk; to jerk; also, to drive or send over with a jerk, as a golf ball.
He could jigger the ball o'er a steeple tall as most men would jigger a cop.
Jigger
A small glass adequate to hold a single swallow of whiskey
Jigger
Any small mast on a sailing vessel; especially the mizzenmast of a yawl
Jigger
Larval mite that sucks the blood of vertebrates including human beings causing intense irritation
Common Curiosities
What are the signs of a jigger infestation?
Signs include painful sores and inflammation at the site where the flea has burrowed.
How do jiggers infect humans?
Jiggers burrow into the skin, especially the feet, and lay eggs, leading to severe infections.
Where are chiggers commonly found?
They are typically found in grassy, wooded areas, particularly during warm weather.
How can chigger bites be treated?
Treatment involves antihistamines and topical creams to alleviate itching and inflammation.
Are jiggers visible to the naked eye?
Yes, jiggers are small but visible, especially when they have swollen after feeding.
What are chiggers?
Chiggers are the larval stage of a type of mite known for causing itchy dermatitis in humans.
What time of year are chiggers most active?
Chiggers are most active during the late spring, summer, and early fall.
What do chigger bites look like?
Chigger bites appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin.
What preventive measures can be taken against chiggers?
Wearing long clothing and using insect repellent when in known habitats can prevent chigger bites.
How can jigger habitats be controlled?
Maintaining clean and less humid environments can help control jigger populations.
Can jiggers be easily removed?
Removal of jiggers requires careful surgical extraction to prevent further infection.
Do chigger bites transmit diseases?
Chigger bites do not transmit diseases but can lead to secondary skin infections if scratched.
How long do jiggers live in the skin?
Without treatment, jiggers can live and reproduce in the skin for several weeks.
What are some natural remedies for chigger bites?
Natural remedies include applying cold compresses, aloe vera, and baking soda to alleviate itching.
How serious can jigger infestations become?
If untreated, jigger infestations can lead to serious infections and even disability.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
