Chiggers belong to the Trombiculidae family. They are the larvae or the infantile of mites. They are so small that the naked eye can not see them. Their length ranges between 0.004 to 0.6 of an inch.
These trombiculid mites are mostly found outdoors in the park or wide-open areas, like fields, forests, or your private lawn where areas tend to be moist.
Their bites are not fatal, but they can leave you with an itching sensation. Chiggers bite by sticking their mouthparts into the host’s skin.
Once a chigger falls off your skin after biting you, it would leave a red bump on it with a red dot in the center.
In response to the chigger’s saliva, your skin forms a remnant of the tube, which in turn causes inflammation, and appears to be like welts, hives, blisters, or pimples.
Table of Contents
Did You Know!
| Chiggers head towards places on the body where the clothing is tight. |
Treat Chigger Bites Naturally
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- Home Remedies
- Foods
- Essential Oils
Symptoms of a Chigger Bite
Chigger bites are not noticeable. The symptoms start appearing after one to three hours of the bite white For Fatty Liver, Food For Fatty Liver, Supplements For Fatty Liver, Herbs For Fatty Liver, Essential Oils For Fatty Liver, Home Remedies For Fatty Liver
en the chigger enzymes start penetrating inside the infected person’s body. The symptoms are as follows.
- Severe itching which is extremely uncomfortable.
- The area attacked looks like a pimple with a red spot at the center, and becomes swollen, like a small blister.
- The presence of cyclostome in the chigger saliva that has entered the person’s body leads to extreme itching, which increases rapidly over two-three days.
- If the person has been attacked by more than one chigger, maybe a cluster of chiggers, then the affected area appears like one visible in an eczema patient or as in allergic contact dermatitis victims.
The symptoms show up usually around the skin folds, ankles or waist. The itching might stay for a few days. However, it may take one to two weeks for the swelling and wound to disappear completely.
| Chiggers suck tissue fluid from damaged tissues. |
CURE 1: Home Remedies for Chigger Bites
Chigger bites are not dangerous but are extremely irritating due to the intense scratching it causes. Let us discover how to treat chigger bites naturally.
1. Hot Shower
Why does it work?
Chiggers take a few hours to latch to the skin and start digging into it. Once they start spitting onto the skin, it is then that the itching begins. So, the best is to remove them from your body before they start doing this. The easiest and safest way to get rid of them is by taking a hot shower. It works like a wonder and does not leave any symptoms thereafter.
How to use and how much to use?
As soon as you realize you have been attacked by chiggers, or as a precautionary step, if you happen to stay outdoors in a swampy region for long, the moment you get indoors, in your room, take a hot body shower with antiseptic soap, like Dettol. Having done so, you would have no trace of any chigger left on your body.
2. Baking Soda
Why does it work?
Baking soda works best immediately after exposure to chiggers but can even be very beneficial once it starts itching severely. The smell of it might be quite stinky, but it helps tremendously in beating the itch.
How to use and how much to use?
Mix equal quantities of baking soda with water and rub it thoroughly onto the body. Leave it for a few seconds before washing it off.
This process should be carried out immediately after exposure to chigger bites.
3. Castor Oil
Why does it work?
Castor oil works wonderfully in curbing the itching caused due to chigger bites. It soothes the affected area and reduce redness as well(1).
How to use and how much to use?
Take some castor oil in some cotton and dab it on the area where the chiggers had encountered.
You can repeat it on the affected area just after the exposure once and even later at night. Castor oil can be rubbed every time you feel its too itchy to tolerate.
| The lifespan of mites ranges between 2 to 12 months. |
Also Read : Amazing Benefits of Castor Oil And it’s uses
CURE 2: Foods
There are certain foods which can protect you from bug bites, including chiggers and even relieve the itchiness and the aftereffect of a bite. So, before you plan your next adventure outdoors, have these and see how they assist in keeping these bad itchy bugs at bay.
1. Garlic
Why does it work?
Garlic has a peculiar smell and having it regularly can make your sweat smell of it too. This garlic odor from your sweat can help repel many bugs and insects, including chiggers, and save you from uncomfortable bites when trekking outdoors.
How to use and how much to use?
Include garlic in considerable quantities at least a week before your excursion or outdoor trip. It can be eaten raw or as a garnish on various food items during meals and even otherwise.
2. Milk
Why does it work?
The enzymes present in milk is known to soothe the skin from direct sunburns and even from itchy bug bites. So if your skin seems to irritate you due to the itchiness and burning sensation caused by a chigger bite, use milk in a paste form to get instant relief.
How to use and how much to use?
Mix one part powdered milk with two parts of water. Add a pinch of salt to it. Then apply to the affected area. This should be done whenever the itch gets unbearable. Being a natural product, it can be repeated as and when required.
3. Salt
Why does it work?
Common salt, or sodium chloride in chemical terms, is an excellent reliever of itchiness and redness and can provide satisfactory relief from scratching caused due to chigger bites.
How to use and how much to use?
Salt should be added to lukewarm water, and the exposed area should be soaked in it. This would not only provide relief from itchiness but also curb the redness and inflammation caused thereby. Also, this would help the venom of the chigger saliva from spreading further.
| Chiggers do not travel far from the area where they have hatched. |
CURE 3: Essential oils for Chigger Bites
1. Lavender Oil
Why does it work?
The lavender oil, created through steam distillation of lavender flowers, has an extremely calming effect on the body and mind. The itch, pain, and discomfort caused due to the chigger bite can be relieved by it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative components.
How to use and how much to use?
Take 2-3 drops of lavender oil and dilute it with a teaspoon of carrier oil ( coconut or jojoba). Now, apply it on the affected area with a cotton ball soaked in the diluted oil mixture.
You can repeat this process as and when required, depending upon the level of discomfort you may be facing due to the chigger bite.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Why does it work?
Tea tree oil is extracted from the medicinal tea tree leaves or Melaleuca alternifolia plants which are known to be a highly potent anti-inflammatory agent in the world. Its antiseptic properties can draw out all the chigger saliva or the cell destructive enzyme out of your skin and even soothe the skin from itchiness, pain, and irritation caused due to the chigger bite.
How to use and how much to use?
Take 4 drops of tea tree oil and dilute it with a teaspoon of carrier oil ( coconut or jojoba). Now, apply the robust solution on the affected area with a cotton ball soaked in it.
3. Lemongrass Oil
Why does it work?
The mild texture and earthy aroma of lemongrass originate from the spikey lemongrass leaves. The purifying and stimulating effect of this oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and analgesic compounds that can provide relief to the chigger inflamed the skin.
How to use and how much to use?
4-5 drops of lemongrass oil should be mixed with coconut oil and applied to the affected area.
Also Read: The Best Essential Oils to Treat Stress
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Why does it work?
The steam distillation of stems, twigs, and leaves provide the extract for eucalyptus oil, which can heal all kinds of skin disorders. Its therapeutic properties relieve symptoms of chigger bites.
How to use and how much to use?
Take a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a cotton ball and apply to the affected area directly.
| The chigger that bites you are the larval stage of a predatory mite. |
Chiggers are usually found outdoors in swampy areas. The best way to remain protected is to wear full sleeves shirts and full-length pants, but if you do not want to feel warm, you can even use chigger repellents like DEET to keep away from them. Also, avoid sitting on turfgrass directly. However, if chigger issues recur again and again on your property, it is best to get the infected area treated with a pesticide/insecticide that consists of bifenthrin. This chemical would assist in eliminating their population and keeping you safe and secure.
| A single chigger can attack you for as long as three days before it pulls off. |