_Symptoms._—In man the feet are the part most frequently affected, the
chiggers being found between the toes and under the toe nails. When
people sleep on the ground other parts of the body may become affected
and large numbers of chiggers may be present at one time. There is
itching and irritation at the place of invasion, and when the latter is
examined a little dark dot will be seen. This is the posterior end of the
female flea, which is lying head downwards in her burrow. If not removed
suppuration occurs round her distended abdomen and the skin gets much
inflamed and swollen. When the eggs have been discharged ulceration takes
place and the flea is expelled. A small sore, however, is left which is
very liable to get contaminated, and, if neglected, may lead to very
severe complications.
_Prophylaxis._—Do not camp in the neighbourhood of native villages. Clean
the camping ground thoroughly and, if necessary, fire it. As insecticides
flaked naphthalene or a strong infusion of native tobacco are useful.
The latter may be used inside boots or shoes. Walking bare-foot should
be avoided, as should sleeping unprotected on the ground. In the case
of native carriers or porters a daily foot-parade should be instituted.
Some protection is afforded by smearing the feet, especially the spaces
between and under the toes, with a preparation like phenofax or with a
mixture of five drops of lysol or cresol and an ounce of vaseline.
_Treatment._—It is usually better to get a native to remove a chigger
as long practice makes them very expert in the little operation. The
latter consists in widening the skin orifice with a sharp clean needle,
and freeing the flea from the surrounding tissues in order to get it out
whole. If it ruptures forceps must be employed, and this is much more
painful and difficult than extracting the entire insect. The infected
parts should be carefully treated antiseptically.
_Fungus Diseases._—There is a great number of tropical diseases due to
fungi but only a few can be considered here, and these only very briefly.
(1) _Dhobie Itch_ is one of the best known and is so called because it
was thought to be derived from clothes infected by the persons (dhobies)
who washed them. The parts usually attacked are the groins, the upper
part of the thighs and the armpits. The condition is due to a fungus like
that of ringworm and the skin becomes red and raised and somewhat scurfy.
Dhobie itch causes great irritation and is sometimes associated with
considerable pain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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