How to treat chigger bites naturally at home
Home Remedies for Chigger Bites – Chiggers are parasites that bite a patch of skin in clusters, typically for hours or days if you don’t clean them from the skin.
Because chiggers are microscopic, they are difficult to spot and you may never see them on the surface of the skin. Symptoms appear about a day after the bite.
There are several ways to treat these bites at home to relieve symptoms and prevent infection. In general, chigger bites are more painful than harmful to health.
Chigger bite symptoms
Chiggers frequently bite in areas where skin folds, such as behind the knees and underarms, or near restraining bands in clothing, such as around holes in underwear, the waist of pants, or near the elastics of socks.
Physical verification of chigger bites includes:
- Itchy skin near the bite
- red spot in the middle of the bite
- feel pain where you are bitten
- Reddish, raised pimples that appear in clumps
Signs of chigger bites can vary in severity, depending on the skin’s susceptibility to the bite and how long the parasite remains on the skin.
17 Natural Home Remedies for Chigger Bite
There are many home remedies for chigger bites. You want to remove chiggers from your skin, soothe your skin from itching and pain, and focus on keeping it away from infection.
Then follow the chigger bite instructions and home remedies described in this article.
1. Take a bath or hot shower
Showering or bathing in warm water after exposure to chiggers can help remove persistent bugs from the surface of your skin and help soothe.
Always apply soap when bathing or showering and use a washcloth to rub it against your skin and make sure it comes off.
2. Essential oils
Essential oils are supportive or alternative therapies and are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Essential oils should be applied carefully.
Some essential oils for insect bites that relieve inflammation and itching include:
- Rosemary
- tea tree
- basil
- lavender
- camphor
Always dilute essential oils with another oil or moisturizer before applying them to your skin.
3. Colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is a skin protectant that also helps relieve itching and inflammation. It has been used as a home remedy for decades.
Helps treat swallow bites. This is especially true with bath products and moisturizers after bathing or showering.
You can find products consisting of colloidal oatmeal at your local grocery store or pharmacy.
4. Calamine lotion
Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter brand that helps reduce itchiness and soothe the skin. It can even dry out insect bites that start to bleed.
5. Ice packs or cold compresses
Use an ice pack or cold compress to loosen itchy bites. You should use an ice pack and a towel or thin cloth in the middle of your skin to escape the extremely cold temperatures that come in direct contact with your skin.
6. OTC (OTC)
There are many over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat chigger bites.
- Oral antihistamines relieve itching and inflammation. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a type of oral antihistamine.
- Oral medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen reduce pain and discomfort. Ibuprofen can also reduce inflammation.
- Topical creams associated with ingredients that relieve itching, inflammation, and irritation may also be effective. Look for products that may contain camphor, menthol, or pramoxine.
- Hydrocortisone is a type of brand that contains topical steroids that can reduce symptoms.
- A topical antiseptic cleanses the bite site and eliminates possible infection.
7. Nail hygiene
Keep your nails short whenever you scratch an affected area of skin that is not open. Scratching a chigger bite with sharp or long nails can cause infection.
8. Baking soda
Baking soda is one of the most widely used home remedies for chigger bites. The alkaline nature of baking soda can neutralize the surface of the affected skin, which can relieve itching from chigger bites.
Baking soda can even prevent the current rash from spreading further.
9. Vic’s Vapor Love
Vicks Vapor Rub is composed of menthol and exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling, inflammation and itching from chigger bites.
10. Bleach Bath
The chlorine in bleach dries chiggers quickly, kills chiggers that remain on your skin, and greatly reduces itching.
11. Epsom Salt
Epsom salts are made up of magnesium, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve inflammation, itching, and swelling from chigger bites.
12. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol contains antiseptic properties that can protect the affected area from more infections. It also helps soothe the area by reducing itching.
caution
People with sensitive skin should not apply this remedy as it may cause skin peeling or irritation.
13. Apple cider vinegar
Because apple cider vinegar is acidic, it helps neutralize the affected area and reduce itching. Contains anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve inflammation, swelling and pain.
On the other hand, its antibacterial properties protect the skin from more infections.
14. Nail polish remover
Applying acetone or nail polish remover to chigger bites can help remove chigger bites and prevent further itching. This remedy is also widely applied to remove ticks.
caution
People with sensitive skin should avoid applying acetone to their skin as it can cause other complications.
15. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids such as lauric acid and capric acid. These fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help relieve itching and inflammation from chigger bites.
In addition, coconut oil also helps keep your skin moisturized and nourished.
16. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is one of the popular home remedies for chigger bites. The mint feature of the toothpaste helps reduce chigger bites and itching.
17. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide’s antiseptic properties help destroy the chigger enzyme responsible for itchy and irritated skin.
It also helps soothe and cool the affected area due to its anti-inflammatory properties
Prevention tips
- Be careful when in wooded areas and be careful not to run into vegetation.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and full pants tucked into socks when enjoying outdoor activities.
- Take a bath or shower after returning from outdoor activities such as trekking.
- Rinse your clothes with hot water immediately after returning from a trek or hike.
- Rub the affected area with soap and water to get rid of the tick. Using calamine lotion can help relieve burning and itching. You can also take oral antihistamines or topical steroids recommended by your dermatologist.
- You can also spray the clothes you want to wear with permethrin spray a day or two in advance and let them dry before wearing them in the wild.
Conclusion
There are many natural home remedies for chigger bites. Be sure to exterminate worms from your skin before starting to treat any irritation, itching or swelling.
Over-the-counter medications, baths, and sometimes essential oils can help relieve symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional immediately.
Click here for more information on health issues
