Jiggers are small parasitic fleas that burrow into the skin of a warm-blooded host before laying eggs. They are also known as Tunga penetrans, sand fleas, chigoe, chigger, nigua, pique, bicho do pé, bichodo porco, or jatecuba. Jiggers generally attack feet or hands, and at first, they appear as small black dots on the skin. As the females abdomen fills with blood and eggs, a bump forms underneath the skin, which is often painful and itchy and makes walking incredibly difficult. Only female jiggers burrow into the skin, and if left untreated, jiggers can lead to deadly secondary infections or even amputation.

Jigger larvae live a few centimeters under sand or soil, feeding on organic matter. They are often found inside dwellings with mud floors. The larvae moult to adults about 1mm in size and move to the skin of a variety of mammals, including rats, domestic animals, and humans. Penetration of the skin causes intense itching and is followed by inflammation and acute pain. The jigger is evident as a small swollen lesion, with a black dot at the center, which can grow to the size of a pea. Severe pathology following an infestation is caused by bacteria entering the skin when the jigger penetrates. These infections can lead to abscess formation, tissue necrosis, and gangrene.

Many children who join Kinship Projects in Kenya have jiggers embedded in their feet and hands, and even more people in the community are affected by these dangerous parasites. One method of reducing the chances of jigger infestations is to cover areas of the body that are commonly exposed, including the feet. The Shoe That Grows keeps children’s soles protected from jiggers for several years as their feet grow five sizes. By joining The Sole and donating each month, people can provide shoes to children around the world who may be impacted by jiggers.