Lots of trekkers are coming back from our jungle treks, especially the  Pench Tiger Trail in Madhya Pradesh, and complaining about rashes. Mostly around their legs and arms, these are small, mosquito bite-sized rashes that feel very itchy and irritable.

For many, the rashes go away in 3–4 days, but for some, they linger for 2–3 weeks. Even our own team members who work in these jungles have had rashes that last for months, they’re not dangerous, but definitely very uncomfortable.

So, we’re putting together this article to help you understand why these rashes occur, how to prevent them, and how to care for them if you do get them.

Why Do These Rashes Occur?

When you trek through these forests, you’re entering one of the densest jungles in our country.

There are ticks, mites, and other tiny insects that live in the grasses and undergrowth. These are especially common in bamboo forests, and their numbers increase as the bamboo gets drier.

Apart from insects, the grasses themselves can cause irritation. Many forest grasses have sharp edges and can release substances from their leaves that irritate the skin.

None of these causes have been studied in great detail, but what’s clear is this — while the rashes are not dangerous, they can be very irritable, and it’s best to avoid them altogether.

How to Prevent Rashes During a Forest Trek

Here are a few simple but effective tips:

 1. Wear Full-Sleeved Clothes with a Collar

Choose full-sleeved shirts or T-shirts with collars. If you don’t have one, use arm sleeves to protect your arms.

 2. Wear Dull-Coloured Clothes

Avoid bright colours. Bright clothes attract insects (and even wild animals). Instead, wear dull, earthy tones like green, brown, khaki, or grey.

 3. Cover Your Neck

Wear a buff around your neck to cover the opening of your T-shirt. Many insects crawl in from there.

 4. Tuck In Your Clothes

Tuck your T-shirt into your trekking pants.

 5. Wear Long (Shin-length) Socks

Use full-length socks, at least up to your calves, like football players wear. This prevents insects from reaching your legs.

6. Change Your T-Shirt Every Day

This is a hot region, unlike the Himalayas, so your T-shirt will get sweaty and dusty. Carry one T-shirt per day and change every evening.

Keep your used T-shirts in a sealed plastic bag to prevent any insects from spreading to your clean clothes.

 7. Take a Bath When Possible

If there’s water available at the campsite, like we have at Nalyer, take a cold-water bath. It's refreshing in the heat and helps clean your body of insects or irritants.

 8. Use Insect Repellents

You can try insect repellent creams, but honestly, they haven’t been very effective. Covering up is the best prevention.

 9. Wear Shoes and not Sandals 

Wear closed shoes that cover your feet completely. Avoid wearing sandals or open footwear in the forest.

10. Wear Pants and not Shorts 

We notice that since these treks have a hot climate, trekkers choose to wear shorts. But that's an open invitation to insects to feast on your skin. Therefore, while trekking through the forest section, please wear full-length pants. It helps protect from insects and thorny plants.

If You Already Have Rashes 

If you do get rashes or bites, don’t worry. Most of them go away on their own.

Many trekkers worry about tick fever or other diseases, but we haven’t seen many such cases. Usually, these are harmless bites that just need time to heal.

If they get too itchy, you can apply:

• Coconut oil or calamine lotion
• Calamine soap while bathing

These don’t make the rashes disappear faster, but they soothe the itching and make it more manageable.

If, however, your condition gets worse — if you develop a fever or if the rashes start spreading badly — see a doctor immediately. Such cases are very rare, but it’s good to be cautious.

A Natural Side Effect of Forest Trekking

Rashes are a natural side effect of trekking through dense forests, much like how Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a side effect of high-altitude trekking.

The difference is that this one is not as dangerous, just a bit uncomfortable. So, don’t let it worry you too much.

If you have very sensitive skin, opt for the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek instead of the Pench Tiger Trail. There are no issues of rashes from there. 

But overall, cover up, stay clean, and take basic precautions. That’s all you need to enjoy your jungle trek without much trouble.