Ticks, chiggers, scabies: these "mites" that make us itch in the summer

Summer is back, and with it, its usual array of itchy bumps. We quickly lump together "mite bites" as a catch-all term, when the reality is more nuanced. In most cases, it's chiggers, the larvae of mites that nest in grass and readily attack ankles, behind the knees, or below the waistband, where clothing is tight. The redness is often quite noticeable, but rarely serious. We scratch, we groan, and then it goes away.

The word "mite" also encompasses another, far less benign reality: scabies. Here, we're not talking about a single bite after a walk, but a highly contagious infestation, facilitated by close contact and communal living. The itching becomes persistent, often worse at night, with typical lesions appearing between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, or in more intimate areas. In this case, improvisation has its limits: a medical diagnosis is essential, treatment must be administered and, above all, shared with those around the affected person, and laundry must be handled carefully (washing when possible, isolating textiles otherwise).

The real trap is confusion

Ticks, on the other hand, are in a league of their own. They aren't mites that simply bite and scratch, but parasites that bite, attach themselves, and can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. The high-risk season runs roughly from May to October, and the precautions are well-known: wear protective clothing in wooded areas or tall grass, carefully inspect yourself upon returning home, shower, and quickly remove any ticks that are firmly attached. The idea isn't to live in a bubble, but to nip any unpleasant surprises in the bud before they take hold.

Once the damage is done, treatment depends on the culprit. For chiggers, the focus is primarily on comfort: soothing the itching, avoiding scratching which opens the door to secondary infections, and monitoring lesions that ooze, crust over, or spread. For ticks, it's important to be aware of the warning signs in the following days and weeks, such as the characteristic ring-like redness or unusual symptoms that should prompt a consultation. And for scabies, there's no half-measure: treat the infection, treat all contacts, and break the chain of transmission. One simple truth remains: a bump is never "just a bump" when it recurs or when an entire family starts scratching at the same time, as if their skin had suddenly received the same bad memo.