Tunga penetrans is a species of flea also known as the jigger, jigger flea, chigoe, chigo, chigoe flea, chigo flea, nigua, sand flea, or burrowing flea. It is a parasitic insect found in most tropical and sub-tropical climates .

A jigger is a small parasitic flea that burrows into the skin of a warm-blooded host before laying eggs. They generally attack feet or hands. At first, the jigger appears as a small black dot on the skin.

Apr 28, 2023 · Tungiasis is commonly known as pulga de areia, niguá, pique, bicho do pé, bichodo porco or jatecuba, jigger, sand flea or chigoe. It causes immense pain and itching, difficulty walking, sleeping and concentrating on school or work.

Nov 16, 2022 · True sand fleas are the Tunga penetrans, also called the chigoe flea or jigger flea. These fleas (the smallest known flea) can bore holes into your skin. They may cause a parasitic infection called tungiasis (sand flea disease) that can …

Tunga penetrans (also known as chigoe flea, jigger, nigua, chica, pico, cique, or suthi) burrows under the skin of humans, unlike other fleas which are ectoparasitic on the surface of the skin. The females remain embedded in the host tissue during engorgement and egg-production.

May 31, 2019 · A jigger infestation, known as tungiasis, can be very painful; I speak from personal experience. This tiny sand-flea has a variety of other colloquial names including nigua, chigoe and bicho de pé (Portugues for foot-bug).

May 12, 2024 · Tungiasis, commonly known as chigoe or jigger infestation, is a parasitic skin infection caused by the penetration of female sand fleas (Tunga penetrans) into the skin of the host. These tiny fleas, common in tropical and subtropical regions, embed themselves in the skin of the mammals, including humans, to feed on blood and lay eggs.

Tunga penetrans is a species of flea also known as the jigger, jigger flea, chigoe, chigo, chigoe flea, chigo flea, nigua, niknik, sand flea, or burrowing flea. It is a parasitic insect found in most tropical and sub-tropical climates.

What is a Jigger (Parasite)? The jigger, scientifically known as Tunga penetrans, is a parasitic flea that primarily affects humans and animals. This tiny insect is notorious for burrowing into the skin, particularly in the feet, causing significant discomfort and health issues.

Jigger infestation starts to irritate once the female flea has swollen inside the skin’s burrow. This itself leads to severe ulceration. Timely Jigger removal is crucial as failure to do so can lead to several complications.