Chigger Bites Treatment

Chiggers or trombicula alfreddugesi are mite species. Chiggers have hairy bodies and they are bright red in color. The chigger larvae are so small that you can't see with your naked eyes. But they are the ones that attack humans. They are orange, yellow or light red in color with six legs and smaller than the adults. The nymph and adult chiggers which have eight legs don't feed on human skin cells.

When the chigger larva attaches itself to the skin, it will insert its mouthpart into a hair follicles or the skin pore. It will inject an enzyme that will liquefy the skin cells and then suck the liquefied skin cells. Chigger larvae not only bite humans but also domestic animals and reptiles such as snakes.

The chigger larva will attach to the skin for about four day and then it will drop off. This is when you will notice the symptoms of chigger bites such as intense itching and the appearance of reddish welts which look like hives. The welts can last for a week or longer than that. If you scratch the welts, it can lead to an infection. The bite does not cause any disease.

Chigger Bites Treatment

A natural cure for chigger bites is to use Epsom salt. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in cold water. Soak a wash cloth in it and then apply it on your skin. If the welts and itching affect your back or parts of your body that is difficult to use an Epsom salt compress, dissolve 2 cups of Epsom salt in a bathtub and soak your body in it for about 15 minutes.

Antipruritic or anti itch essential oil or herbal extract is also helpful in treating chigger bites. Examples are neem oil, lavender oil, thyme oil, peppermint oil, castor oil, tea tree oil and tamanu oil. Mix 2 drops of any of the pure essential oil with a carrier oil or vegetable oil and apply it on your skin. Repeat this chigger bites treatment several times a day.

Using oatmeal poultice or taking an oatmeal bath may also provide chigger bite relief. To make an oatmeal bath, blend it until it is very fine and powdery. Add to your bath and soak for 10 minutes and then wash off with running water. To make oatmeal poultice, add a little bit of water to 1 tablespoon of regular oatmeal to make a paste. Apply the past on the itchy skin and let it dry and flake before washing it off.

Another chigger bites treatment is to mix meat tenderizer and white vinegar and apply it on your skin. Another treatment for chigger bites is to pound or crush aspirin, mix with water to form a paste and then apply it on the welts. You can also apply a paste of baking soda mixed with tea tree oil for chigger bite treatment.

To prevent chigger bites, avoid chigger infested areas. Chiggers are found among weeds, tall grass and where there is moisture and shade especially in spring and summer.

If you suspect that you have been bitten by chiggers, immediately take a hot bath. Wash with antibacterial soap or any soap containing essential oil such as neem oil or tea tree oil especially at the ankles, armpits, back of the knees, groin and waistline. The hot bath and gentle scrubbing would detach the chigger larvae from your skin. Make sure that you also wash your clothing in hot water.

Before going outdoors, apply insect repellent on your skin and clothing including socks and shoes. Natural herbal remedies that you can use as insect repellent include basil oil and tea tree oil.

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