What Are Chiggers?
Chiggers, also known as red bugs, are tiny larvae belonging to the arachnid family. Although these larvae are extremely small, their bites cause intense itching. Chiggers can quickly get on your skin from blades of grass and vegetation if you happen to brush up against their habitat. They are so tiny that you won’t even notice their presence until your skin begins to itch. They can also enter your home surreptitiously. However, these larvae become inactive at temperatures below 16°C and die when the temperatures fall below 6°C.
How Do Chiggers Bite Humans?
Once chiggers attach themselves to the human body with the help of their claws, they attach their mouth to the skin and inject their saliva. The presence of an enzyme in the saliva of chiggers breaks the human cells into liquid form. The human body responds to this by hardening the skin cells around the saliva, thus creating a tube via which the chiggers suck on the body fluids. Chiggers usually feed on our body for 4 to 5 days before falling off on their own. Other than the persistent itchy sensation, you may notice other symptoms after a chigger bite. Some of them are listed below.
Signs And Symptoms Of Chigger Bites
The common signs and symptoms that accompany chigger bites include:
Reddish bumps on the skin with a bright red dot in the center Bumps that occur in groups and grow for up to a week Bumps that usually occur around the armpits, crotch, ankles, waist, or behind your knees
Though there are hardly any serious health consequences of chigger bites, one of the major problems is the intense itchiness that follows. In fact, you may even start to bleed as a result of itching constantly. This can, in turn, cause skin infections, worsening the appearance of the bites. Thus, it is best to treat the problem. We have listed some of the best remedies that can help you in your quest against chiggers and their bites. Take a look.
How To Treat Chigger Bites Naturally
Home Remedies To Treat Chigger Bites
1. Baking Soda
1 cup of baking soda Bathwater
You must do this once a day for 2 to 3 days or until the itching subsides. Baking soda is one of the most widely used home remedies for treating inflammation (1). The alkaline nature of baking soda can neutralize the affected areas, and this, in turn, can reduce the itchiness caused by chigger bites to a great extent. Baking soda can also prevent the existing rashes from spreading further (2).
2. Vicks Vapor Rub
Vicks Vapor Rub (as required) Salt (as required)
You can do this once every night for 3 to 4 nights. Vicks Vapor Rub contains menthol, which exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling, inflammation, and itchiness caused by chigger bites (3), (4).
3. Bleach Bath
1/4 cup of standard household bleach Bathwater
You may take a bleach bath immediately after your encounter with chiggers. The chlorine in the bleach makes the chigger bite dry faster, kills any leftover chiggers on your body, and reduces the itching caused to a great extent (5).
4. Essential Oils
a. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (as required) Cotton pads (optional)
You must do this 2 to 3 times daily until you notice an improvement. Tea tree oil is widely used to treat acne and insect bites due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can hence be used to treat chigger bites. It also possesses antimicrobial properties that can prevent further infection of the affected area (6) (7).
b. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil (as required) Cotton pads (optional)
You may do this 2 to 3 times daily until the itching subsides. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help reduce the itchiness, pain, and inflammation in the affected area (8).
5. Epsom Salt
1 cup of Epsom salt Bathwater
You must do this once daily, for a week. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation, itchiness, and swelling caused by chigger bites (9).
6. Rubbing Alcohol
2-3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol Cotton pads
You can repeat this procedure as required. Rubbing alcohol possesses disinfectant properties that can protect the affected area from further infection. It can also help in soothing the area by relieving the itchy sensation (10). Individuals with sensitive skin should not use this remedy as it may cause peeling and further irritation of the skin.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar Cotton pads/balls
Do this 1 to 2 times daily for a week. Apple cider vinegar can help neutralize the affected area due to its acidic nature, thereby relieving itchiness. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in reducing the inflammation, swelling, and pain, while its antimicrobial properties protect your skin from further infection (11), (12).
8. Nail Polish Remover
1-2 tablespoons of acetone Cotton pads
Do this 1 to 2 times daily, for 2 to 4 days. Using acetone or nail polish remover on the chigger bites helps dislodge any attached chiggers and also prevents further itching (13). This remedy is also popularly used for dislodging ticks. Those with sensitive skin should not use acetone on their skin as it may lead to other complications.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide 2 tablespoons of water Cotton pads
Do this 1 to 2 times daily for a few days. The antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide help in destroying the chigger enzymes that are responsible for making your skin itchy and inflamed (14). It also helps soothe and cool the affected areas with its anti-inflammatory properties (15).
10. Oatmeal Bath
1 cup of ground oatmeal Bathwater
You must do this once daily for a week. Oatmeal plays an important role in dermatology and is used for treating various inflammatory skin conditions like acne, pruritus, and atopic dermatitis. This is mainly due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which make it one of the best options to treat chigger bites (16), (17).
11. Coconut Oil
1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil You must do this 1 to 2 times daily for a few days. Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid and capric acid. These fatty acids possess strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help reduce the itchiness and inflammation associated with chigger bites (18). Additionally, coconut oil can also help in keeping your skin well-moisturized and nourished (19).
12. Toothpaste
Toothpaste (as required) You must do this 1 to 2 times daily for a couple of days. The minty nature of toothpaste can help relieve chigger bites and itching (20).
13. Ice Pack
An ice pack You must do this at least twice daily for a few days. Ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain due to their numbing and anti-inflammatory properties. They help in relieving the bites and combating the inflammation and swelling (21), (22). The effect of the remedies mentioned above can be observed almost instantly. Here are a few tips you can follow to avoid such experiences in the future.
Prevention Tips
Be careful and steer clear of brushing against vegetation when you are in wooded areas. Wear long-sleeved shirts and full pants tucked in socks while indulging in any outdoor activities. Shower after you are back from any outdoor activity like trekking. Wash your clothes in warm water as soon as you return from a trek or hike. Scrub the affected area with soap and water to remove the mites. Applying calamine lotion can help in soothing the burning sensation and itching. You can also take oral antihistamines and topical steroids if recommended by your dermatologist. You can also spray permethrin sprays on your clothes 1 or 2 days in advance to allow them to dry before wearing them in the wild.
How long do chigger bites last? Check out the infographic to learn about the possible complications of chigger bites and what signs to look out for. Chigger bites usually last anywhere from 2 to 5 days. The bite usually develops a welt within 10 to 16 hours and may continue to itch for a few days. Where do chiggers live? Chiggers usually live in moist and grassy areas like fields, forests, or even your lawn. However, they become inactive or die if the temperature falls below 16°C. Should I pop my chigger bites? No, popping your chigger bites may lead to infection and delay healing. Do chiggers lay eggs in your skin? No, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or lay eggs in it. Can chiggers spread in bed? No, chiggers cannot spread in bed. They need a warm body and cannot survive in a bed. Does showering get rid of chiggers? Yes, showering can help you get rid of any chiggers that are on your skin. Does Listerine help chigger bites? Yes, applying Listerine on chigger bites may help relieve the itching.
