Tungiasis (also known as
nigua,
pio and
bicho de pie, or
pique) is an inflammatory skin disease caused by infection with the female ectoparasitic
Tunga penetrans flea (also known as
chigoe flea, jigger, nigua or sand flea), found in the tropical parts of Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and India.
Tunga penetrans is the smallest flea in the world, measuring 1 mm across. It is also known in Latin America as the
nigua and
bicho de pie (Spanish) or
bicho de pé (Portuguese), literally "
foot bug".
Tunga penetrans is a member of the genus
Tunga, which comprises 13 species.