Camping, going to the park for a picnic, playing on a golf course, etc. are parts of our lives. While enjoying this time outdoors, you often come in contact with organisms that can ruin your day. You get back home and notice itchy red bumps on your skin. Then you realize they’re chigger bites.
Chiggers are the larvae form of Trombiculidae, a type of mite. They’re so tiny you won’t see them with naked eyes.
The bites are quite uncomfortable.
Perhaps that’s why you’re here. If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to tell you home remedies for chigger bites that’ll give you fast relief.
Contents
What are Chigger Bites Symptoms?
Identifying chigger bite is pretty easy because the following signs are peculiar to chiggers.
- Small red bumps in clumps
- Severe itching
- Hives
- Pain in areas of the bite
These symptoms will typically appear within a few hours after the bite. As for the itching, it’ll become severe in a day or two.
This is because of your allergic reaction to chigger bites cyclostome which remain in your skin tissues long after the bite.
Can Chigger Bites Last for Months?
If you leave chigger bites untouched, it can continue to feed for days. Chigger bites cannot last for months, it can only survive on humans for 3 days.
The bites are so uncomfortable the host will often scratch it off.
What is the Best Thing to Use for Chigger Bites?
If you know that chiggers have bitten you, the following are the best things you can do for fast relief.
- Quickly remove the chiggers before it starts to itch
- Pat the affected areas with a clean cloth or towel
- Remove the chiggers with soap and warm water
- Don’t scratch the areas and don’t cover them
11 Effective Home Remedies for Chigger Bites at Home
When you’re bitten, it’s best to apply chigger bite treatment as soon as you can.
You can use the ones above as first aid for chigger itch relief. When you get home, you can apply these remedies for chigger bites.
1. Take a Bath for Chigger Bites
When you notice chiggers have bitten you, take a bath with warm soapy water and scrub your entire body. This will wash away any chiggers on your skin. Rinse your body with cold water to soothe your skin and relieve the itch.
2. Baking Soda for Chigger Bites
You probably have this in your pantry. It has soothing properties and works great as a chigger itch cure.
Mix it with water to form a thick paste.
Apply the paste on the hive and leave to dry for 20 minutes.
3. Cold Compress
Cooling your skin can be an effective remedy for chigger bites.
Using a cold compress on the affected areas can reduce itching and irritation, which are the most uncomfortable of the symptoms.
4. Oatmeal
Research has shown that oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an excellent remedy for chigger bites, as it soothes allergic rashes.
A cup is enough to take a warm oatmeal bath for chiggers.
5. Calamine Lotion
This is an over the counter option for red bug bite treatment. People have used it for years to treat itch and insect bites.
Users have claimed that it works well as a remedy for chigger bites.
Use a cotton ball to apply the lotion on the affected area twice a day.
6. Antihistamines
These are over the counter medications that can serve as a remedy for chigger bites. Some natural antihistamines include:
- Quercetin
- Bromelain
- Stinging nettle
- Vitamin C
Also Read – 13 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Poison Ivy in One Day
7. Use Tea to Get Rid of Chigger Bites
Green and black teas have antioxidant properties. This makes them useful as a remedy for chigger bites.
Directions
- Soak the tea bags and put them in your refrigerator for some hours.
- Place the cold tea bags on the affected area to relieve the itch and soothe the pain.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar for Chigger Bites
This is a must have in any home because it is useful in many ways. ACV has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
Use a cotton ball to apply this fluid to the affected area as a remedy for chigger bites.
Also Read –15 Best Skin Care Routine at Home for Glowing Skin
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has fatty acids, which contain analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
It works well for soothing skin irritation and itch.
Apply it to the affected area to remedy chigger bites.
10. Essential Oils for Chigger Bites
Essential oils as chigger bites remedy are a popular treatment in many parts of the world. The reason is simple; it’s effective.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in essential oils make it so.
Kindly note that you should only apply essential oils to the skin along with a carrier oil. Also, don’t apply to the eyes.
A study showed that some essential oils can ward off chiggers, hence preventing their bites. Some effective oils include:
- Tea tree
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Camphor
- Lavender
11. Aloe Vera for Chigger Bites
The gel inside this plant is useful in so many ways, especially for the skin. It helps soothe inflammation and moisturizes your skin.
Directions
- Mix ¼ cup of aloe vera with a drop of peppermint essential oil.
- Apply to the affected areas as a remedy for chigger bites.
12. Diatomaceous Earth
This is a natural substance that has insecticidal properties.
It has proven to kill chiggers and dry up the inflammation on your skin. This makes it an effective remedy for chigger bites. It can also help prevent chigger bites in bed.
Also Read – 11 Best Essential Oils to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss
Conclusion
There you have it, 12 effective home remedies for chigger bites. Kindly note that nail polish is not an effective remedy for chigger bites.
Now you know how to prevent the insects and to treat yourself you ever get bitten.
The ones we’ve provided here are some of the best treatments you can get. Now go have all the fun you want without the fear of chigger bites.
