Tungiasis is a skin affliction caused by a burrowing flea (also known as chigoe or jigger). The female flea burrows under the skin, sucks blood, swells, and then ejects eggs. A localized skin rash appears with nodules or lesions containing the live fleas. Complications can include skin ulceration, gangrene and blood poisoning. It can also be fatal.
Tungiasis occurs in Africa, the West Indies and South America.