Scratching makes it worse. Scratching doesn’t help. The chiggers are still there, just under my skin, having descended over a course of 4-5 hours. They touch nerves, little nerves that send impulses to the brain. These impulses are “Itch Impulses” that keep on coming as long as the chiggers are there. The skin is their home after hanging on low vegetation. They came with wild turkeys decades ago. This is my take on the situation.
OI picked up chiggers ( no capitol C) some place during a hike with Mark. We had decided to take a circular hike. Some place along the six miles, I must have brushed against low bushes. They landed on my wool socks. From there, they worked their way into my ankles and lower legs. The itching began that evening at bed time.