Medical expert of the article
New publications
Bites of mites that cause dermatitis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
There are many kinds of biting ticks. Trombicula irritans is probably the most common. Larvae of this species are common in nature everywhere, except for arid regions. They bite, eat in the skin, then fall off. Outside the US, Trombicula irritans may be a carrier of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. They do not burrow into the skin, but because of their small size, they are difficult to detect on the surface of the skin.
Among the mites that enter the skin after a bite, Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies) and Demodex mites are common . Demodex mites cause dermatitis, similar to that of scabies (sometimes confused with scabies), which is peculiar almost exclusively to animals, and, possibly, acne.
Dermatitis causes ticks that bite people by accident, being in most cases ectoparasites of birds, rodents or pets; and mites associated with plants, food supplies. Biting birds can bite people who are in contact with live birds, or people whose houses nest birds. Rod mice, cats, dogs (especially puppies), rabbits and pork scabies (S. scabiei var suis) on pig farms or in domestic pigs can also bite people.
Straw itch mite { Rueto tes tritici) is often associated with the seed, straw, hay or other vegetable raw materials; he parasitizes on the soft-bodied insects that live (or lived) in such types of plant material. These mites often bite people who find themselves in their habitats. These can be workers' granaries that have contact with seeds of grass or hay, and those who dry plants. For this category of people, the risk of being bitten is the highest.
Several types of ticks, associated with grain stocks, cheese and other food products do not bite, but cause allergic dermatitis or itching of the "grocer", because people become sensitive to allergens located on the mites themselves or in their secretions.
Home dust mites do not bite, but eat exfoliated skin cells in pillows, mattresses and on the floors (especially on carpets). They have a significant impact on human health, because many people develop pulmonary hypersensitivity to allergens that are found in the outer shell and feces of mites.
Symptoms of tick bites causing dermatitis
Most bites cause a semblance of itching dermatitis; itching from bites Trombicula irritans is especially intense. To diagnose a tick bite that does not penetrate the skin, you can submit a history (for example, accommodation, work and the environment) and physical examination. The mites themselves are rarely found, because they, after eating, fall off (the reaction of the skin is usually delayed, and most patients consult a doctor only after a few days). Damage caused by ticks is usually indistinguishable and resembles other skin diseases (eg, bites of another insect, contact dermatitis, folliculitis). To diagnose the bite of a tick engrafted into the skin, you can use a skin biopsy.
Treatment of tick bites causing dermatitis
Treatment of tick bites that do not penetrate the skin, symptomatic; topical glucocorticoids or antihistamines for oral administration are used if necessary to get rid of itching until the hypersensitivity reaction disappears. After discussing possible sources, the physician can help the patient avoid the re-attack of ticks. Demodex bites are treated with veterinary advice. For treatment of scabies, respiratory hypersensitivity and other systemic allergic reactions, see the relevant sections.