Home Remedies for Chigger Bites
WARNING: This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.
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Chigger Bites Home Remedies:
Submitted by Crystal at 2012-01-13 00:42:27
Absorbine Jr! I went camping with my husband and ended up with chiggers in my clothes! I had bites all over and suffered horribly for a couple weeks before I found this remedy.
The relief was instantaneous! It took a few applications to completely clear them up, but no kidding, INSTANT RELIEF! After weeks of misery.
You can find Absorbine Jr. near the Aspercreme. It is a topical analgesic but also works well for bites and is magic for chiggers (thank God!)
rating: 10 (1 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-15 09:14:28
As a kid growing up in southwest Louisiana, we were constantly in the woods and fields. Chiggers everywhere.
In our small town there was a pine stump processing plant,(pure pine oil).
Soak in a hot tub with a small amount of oil and problem solved.
Plant moved to Florida, no more oil here. (It's like pine-sol but pure)
rating: 8 (5 votes)
Submitted by Rick F at 2011-07-29 12:08:45
'SALONPAS', it is a pain relieving patch with camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate combined percentages serves as a 'topical analgesic' for arthritis, strains, bruises and sprains. But, like most of you I tried pretty much all the home remedies mentioned in you contributing commentaries on this web site.
I too became desperate, having moved to TX almost three years ago, I have experienced now my third spring/summer/fall season in the unwanted company of those miserable little guests 'chiggers'. Finally, this year I discovered 'SALONPAS'. Yes, as soon as you are able to strip your clothes off (preferably outdoors or near your washer and dryer area) and wash and dry your clothes immediately. You want to prevent the spread of these little 'suckers' from inhabiting your home. Then run don't walk to the nearest shower or bath-tub and wash/soak whatever is your leisure and use the hottest water you can tolerate and plenty of body wash, rinse and repeat: allover including your hair.
Now a small envelope containing the patches of 'SALONPAS' from the box, and before stripping the medicated patch off
the protective shield, cut the patch into 4 small square shaped pieces. Then peel each medicated patch off the shielf and apply to skin where insect bite appears. Do this to all of your most annoying insect bites. Though, it will not completely make the bites disappear, the combination of the active ingredients helps calm the itching sensation to the point that you will forget about the annoying and irritating itch, and keep you from scratching. Repeat this treatment every 6 to 8 hours as necessary. Warning: If your skin is sensitive to any of the above mentioned ingredients, please be cautious and do not use or use in monitored moderation.
And, yes to help even more I have taken to the use of 'Bendadryl' tabs to help even moreso, and aid in getting some comfortable undisturbed sleep. It almost seems that if I get substantial and un-interrupted sleep the sooner I feel that I recover from this discomfort. Another hint: Take a large container (plastic) with lid such as a RubberMaid box, toss into it a couple of
light and loose fitting articles of clothing; long pants, long sleeve shirts, soxs, and maybe paper/polyester blend painters overalls and footies (you can get these at a hardware store in the paint section, and they are disposable and some are even re-useable after a good laundry wash in the gentle cycle. Again, loosely place them in the box, and spray the inside of the box with a full can of body bug spray such as 'OFF'. Allow the fumes of the spray to penetrate the fabric/material of the clothing, and use these items when tending to outdoor garden/yard maintenance or just enjoying your front porch seating and/or patio areas. It really does work. Just remember to either dispose of the items or launder immediately.
rating: 8 (11 votes)
Submitted by Steve A at 2010-08-08 02:26:26
After being in the woods 2 days ago, I am covered in chigger bites from the knees down. The only thing that takes away the it itch is bathing in salt water. While the tub is filling add 5 cups of Kosher Coarse Salt. Soak in the tub for 10 minutes, then pour 1 cup of Kosher Salt over the bites and rub with vigor into the bites. This will burn but feel good at the same time and take the itch away. Soak another 5 minutes, get out and dry off. The itch will be gone many hours and you will get a good nights sleep.
rating: 7 (5 votes)
Submitted by LISTERINE at 2011-07-21 06:10:51
*****
stop reading . Go put 'cool minty listerine' on the area liberally. Yes it will sting for a few seconds.
*****
Now that you are itch free.. can help the next poor soul.
Come back here and VOTE 10.. Some of the other solutions were dangerous and cost a lot more than a bottle of listerine.
There is no bug alive in there. That red dot was the bugs straw. It was drinking your skin.
rating: 7 (61 votes)
Submitted by Cosmo at 2011-09-25 17:43:42
I have become a expert on chigger bites, if their is something around that bites it is going to bite me. Please before you enter the woods spray down good with a bug repellent especially around the feet, ankles and mid section. If you still get bit take a bath in epsom salt, 2cups of salt soak 20 mins daily for as long as needed and then find the baking powder make you a good paste and apply to affected area. Apply paste as needed within 6 days you should be good again.A friend once told me their isn't anything worst than a chigger bite and nothing feels better than scratching a chigger bite. Hope this helps!
rating: 7 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-21 18:43:58
I am a Real Estate agent in a rural area and have to show land properties so I'm exposed to chiggers a lot. I'm going to give you second hand info that another agent gave me that works. After being covered in over 150 bites, she was talking to a chiropractor the next day and mentioned it. He told her to take a hot bath as hot as she could stand it and pour 1/2 a bag of Epsom Salt in the bath. Then the next day, do the same thing with the other half bag of Epsom Salt. She said that the Epsom Salt draws out the poison that the Chigger injects into the skin. She said that she recovered in just a couple of days versus the 2 or 3 weeks that is a normal recovery for her. I haven't tried it yet but I will the next time. I am also told by more than one person that Listerine relieves the itch instantly.
rating: 7 (7 votes)
Submitted by Sue at 2011-08-07 17:27:25
I worked for the Dept of Health for years. People were always calling for help with chiggers and chigger bites. Unfortunately, there is no single cure. Most of the time it comes down to home remedies. I've read a lot of these posts, and so many of the suggested cures seem to have one particular thing in common that IS known to help: ingredients used as drying agents. Whether it's a liquid like Listerine; a powder like Gold Bond or even concrete; any kind of salt; pure soaps; Benadryl or hydrocortisone cream or gel.....all of them are used as drying agents. They will draw out and absorb the fluids that cause the itching.
As for the usefulness of 'shields' like nail polish and liquid band-aids: they don't absorb or heal, but they do block the wound from being exposed to air, so this may stop the itching for a while; however, you don't want to leave it on for very long. Remember, air is another drying agent and will help the bite heal. If you do want to use a shield-type cure, better to use a regular Band-aid: it will block some of the air, but it also has the cotton pad, which will help absorb the fluids. All wounds need to 'breathe' in order to heal.
Nothing will completely and permanently stop the itching, but none of these cures (when used with care) will cause any harm either. Just try not to scratch, as that can cause an infection. Then you'll have more problems than just some very annoying bug bites.
rating: 7 (26 votes)
Submitted by Necol from VA at 2009-07-31 15:14:06
I had at least 100 chigger bites all over my body, including feet, behind the knees, genitals, back...you name it! I read all the different advice on this site and tried several. Nailpolish, hairspray and heat didn't work at all. Using Desitin or Butt Paste worked some, but the cream was rubbing off on all my furniture and making a mess. Same with the Vick's VapoRub. I finally found HOURS of blessed relief with Listerine Cool Mint. I soaked a washcloth with the Listerine and doused my entire body. It stung a bit on the bites I had scratched open, but my relief was instantaneous! I haven't itched all day! If you are as desperate as I was was, try this. It worked wonders on me!
rating: 6 (42 votes)
Submitted by Barbara at 2011-06-08 20:28:44
In June, 2011 I received many chigger bites while cutting under brush around the edge of the yard even though I soaked in salt water afterwards. The next time I cut brush, I put a half cup of ice cream salt (all I had) in a white sock and tied the end. In the shower, I scrubbed hard all over with the salt filled sock in as hot water I could stand. Soap making is one of my hobbies so I soaped up good and shampooed afterward with Neem Oil soap (I use it on my pets for killing fleas). Since ice cream salt doesn't melt easily, I untied the sock, emptied the salt in a container and hung the sock to dry. I had no new chigger bites, hope this works for you.
rating: 6 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-21 15:15:49
Chiggers are related to ticks
Chiggers are not bugs or any other type of insect. Chiggers are the juvenile (or larval) form of a specific family of mites, the Trombiculidae. Mites are arachnids, like spiders and scorpions, and are closely related to ticks.
Chigger mites are unique among the many mite families in that only the larval stage feeds on vertebrate animals; chiggers dine on us only in their childhood, and later become vegetarians that live on the soil.
Chiggers are tiny--less than 1/150 of an inch in diameter. More than a thousand of them could line up across this page and still leave room for two or three hundred more. At this size, chiggers are almost invisible to the unaided eye. However, when several chiggers cluster together near an elastic waistband or wristwatch they can be seen because of their bright red color.
Chiggers are born red; they do not become red from feeding on blood as some believe. An engorged, well fed chigger changes to a yellow color.
Under the microscope, you can see that the chigger is an ugly little creature (if it was larger, it could star in any science fiction movie). Although adult chigger mites have eight legs, the troublesome young chiggers have only six.
Like ticks, they bite and hang on
One of the greatest misconceptions about chiggers is that they burrow into our skin and eventually die within the tissues, thus causing the persistent itch. This widespread myth has its origin in the southern states where pests with similar names such as jigger flea or the chigoe do attack by burrowing under skin. Chiggers are not equipped to burrow, and they are much too large to enter through the pores.
If chiggers do not burrow under skin or drink blood, what are they doing that itches so much? Chiggers do bite us, much like ticks do. Chiggers attach by inserting minute specialized mouth parts into skin depressions, usually at skin pores or hair follicles.
The chigger's piercing mouth parts are short and delicate, and can penetrate only thin skin or where the skin wrinkles and folds.
That's why most chigger bites are around the ankles, the back of the knees, about the crotch, under the belt line and in the armpits. The insertion of the mouth parts is not perceptible. The bite alone is not the source of the itch.
rating: 6 (33 votes)
Submitted by Jesse B. at 2010-06-12 02:01:33
k guys, one simple fact about chiggers is that they DO NOT burrow into your skin, this is from a combination of myth, and thinking you see it in the bite (thats just a red dot, not a bug)
the most annoying thing about the chiggers is that they dont itch for almost a full day after they bite you, so prevention is useless by the time you itch.
taking hot showers when infested with living, crawling chiggers will help remove them, they are very delicate and can be rubbed off with a towel, showers will also help itches when VERY VERY hot, itch is caused by a chemical your body releases (histomine maybe) heat makes your body put out the chemical, it can only put out so much per certain time, so the shower almost disables your ability to itch (as much)
when they bite they put their saliva (spit) into your skin, this kills all skin cells it touches, which in turn creates a dead cell tube (really small) your body reacting to such tube is where the itch comes in
other itch remedies that i have found affective are all forms of heat, a lit cigarette, a hair dryer, heating pad (not so much), anything with benadryl (different sprays, lotions and pills) it is an anti-histomine which helps itch. try your best not to scratch, that makes it worse, it reminds your body of the itch, irritates the sore, creating an itch, and leaves the possibility of an infection from dirty fingernails.
other remedies which i havent tried yet (for my current case of chiggers) that still sound like they will work are listerine, it contains many ingredients of anti-chigger lotions, just apply with cue-tip on sore, also meat tenderizer spread over the sores with out grinding in, it makes sense cause it helps break down tissues (bad for skin) but good for that 'tube' chigger created earlier that needs to be destroyed, other remidies that have a placebo or other affect are fingernail polish, tape, glue, or anything that will dry a layer over it, the only way this helps in reality is the fact it stops you from scratching and helps dry sore
lastly but not least, today after a two day bout with these itchy sores i went to a friends house to go swimming, after a few hours predominantly in the pool with some decent physical activity, i only had a few itches in the next couple hours (i have over 100 bites only 2 consistantly itched) i dunno why the swim helped, but my guesses could be the chlorine in the water helping break down the sore as the meat tenderizer did, and the physical activity stopped me from scratching for over 2 hours giving them time to heal some, and to get my mind off the itches
this is my second battle with chiggers, the first numbering well over 250 bites mainly from the knee up, and at least 20 on my private area, i was miserable for 5 days, i used the hair dryer mostly, my best word of advice tho is dont use dangerous stuff, insecticides are not for humans, dont use them (they arent insects, tho the insecticide will prolly kill em) kerosine, gasoline, and bleach are not good to be in your body, at all, so dont put them there, listerine will provide burn too, and that is the only form of relief that will be achieved from either of those dangerous folklores
srry its so long guys, just hope it helps you tons when you get em and google how to fix em =]
feel free to email me with comments or new remedies at jessebarbier@yahoo.com
rating: 6 (38 votes)
Submitted at 2007-07-11 12:21:49
Keep a tall pair of boots or shoes that can be easily sprayed off after walking in a weeded area. Remove all clothes and wash them. Take a bath within two hours of being exposed. It may take several hours before they finally bite. After showering rub 5% vinegar(apple cider might be best)to soothe skin and deter any more bites. On bites dab a little tea tree oil to help prevent any infection. Plus this is irritating to the mite if its still there. Cover that with a clear calamine solution that has itch relief in it.
rating: 6 (19 votes)
Submitted by Cindy at 2010-07-12 21:26:56
Thank you to everyone who recommended Listerine!! I have probably two hundred bites on my legs and ankles. I tried cortisone cream, baking soda paste, calamine lotion, oral Benedryl, and benzocaine - nothing helped. The Listerine took the itch away in minutes! My doctor thought it was a riot and my legs smell minty fresh!!
rating: 6 (32 votes)
Submitted at 2007-07-02 19:58:22
Bordeaux's Butt Paste works great at removing the itch & redness! I had over 100 bite to one leg. I was willing to try anything! Someone (on this site) mentioned something about Desitin. I will only use Butt Paste on my daughter's diaper rash and figured I would give it a try. The redness and itching subsided almost instantly!
rating: 6 (52 votes)
Submitted at 2006-06-19 16:05:10
This may sound weird, but it works for chigger bite itch. As soon as you notice an itch associated with chiggers, take a hair dryer(handheld blow-dryer), turn it on 'high', and hold it a few inches from the bite. Continue to hold it there until the heat becomes uncomfortable (a few seconds). After the heat subsides from your skin, the itch will be gone!
rating: 6 (71 votes)
Submitted by bugman at 2010-06-17 18:54:30
I am a professional pest control exterminator in texas and the chiggers here leave you bites the size of this STATE. When i get chigger bites i use chigarid.It provides instant relief. It also works great on sand flies,ticks,fleas,mosquitos and them darn wasps.www.chigarid.com Trust me you will use it religiously.
rating: 6 (17 votes)
Submitted by wildbill56 at 2011-07-24 17:08:32
On a friend's advice, I tried alcohol. Lots of it. It did relieve the itching, but I had trouble getting used to the hangovers.
rating: 6 (47 votes)
Submitted by Amy at 2008-06-29 15:58:26
I have really fair skin and I react really bad to chigger bites. I got probably about 50 in my private spots. I was at camp when I got them so I couldn't use any of the remedies where you do somthing as soon as you spot the bite. I tried lots of things (when I got home 2 days later) off this website including, the hairdryer, the oatmeal bath, nail polish, and many ointments and creams. None of them worked for me. My dad took me to the store and a lady (that worked there) asked us what we were looking for. We said chigger bite relief and then she gave us this container. It was called 'Chiggerex' She said that it was the only thing she used. We got it and when we got home I was totally relieved.
rating: 6 (55 votes)
Submitted by John at 2009-08-06 16:40:08
For chigger bites take a small amount of softened butter and add an equal amount of table salt to it. Apply the paste to the chigger bites and scrub them for as long as you can stand it. It actually feels pretty good. Then leave the paste on overnight. You may want to reapply the paste the next day, but the itching should be gone, and the sores soon will disappear.
rating: 6 (15 votes)
Submitted by Bob now in Brasil at 2010-05-12 12:02:44
Prevention is the key to chiggers.
I was a game warden in South Georgia and after a severe case of chiggers the old timers told me to use powdered sulfur. I went to a local drug store and bought a small bag. They explained that I first needed to get completely dressed, then open my pants, lift my shirt and sprinkle the powder all the way around my waist. It really works....I had to patrol on foot in the same high grass and weeds where I got them before. Several hours later, when I got home I showered and no chiggers. Powdered sulfur does not smell or harm your clothes....and is not expensive.
rating: 6 (24 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-08 13:43:30
For chigger bites, take a hot shower which makes it sting a little in the beginning but stops the itching. Then dry off and put peroxide on them and the next day they don't itch and already healing. Also milk supposedly helps so drink a big glass of milk every day.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2007-01-18 01:08:22
The popular home remedy for which there is little justification is to dab nail polish on the welt. This cannot 'smother' the chigger because it has not burrowed into your skin, and it was probably scratched off long ago. The only benefit to applying a thick coat of nail polish is that it helps to remind you not to scratch the bite.
Only the larvae are known to attack humans. They pierce the skin and inject into the host a salivary secretion containing powerful, digestive enzymes that break down skin cells that are ingested (tissues become liquefied and sucked up). Also, this digestive fluid causes surrounding tissues to harden, forming a straw-like feeding tube of hardened flesh from which further, partially-digested skin cells may be sucked out. After a larva is fully fed in four days, it drops from the host, leaving a red welt with a white, hard central area on the skin that itches severely and may later develop into dermatitis. Any welts, swelling, itching, or fever will usually develop three to six hours after exposure and may continue a week or longer. If nothing is done to relieve itching, symptoms may continue a week or more. Scratching a bite may break the skin, resulting in secondary infections. Chiggers are not known to transmit any disease in the United States.
rating: 6 (48 votes)
Submitted by kelton at 2010-09-21 21:13:16
my name is kelton, im 14 years old. i live in raleigh N.C. i go deer huntin every day, and collect red bugs (chiggers) on the way. what i recomend and my dad is to rub all ur bites with hydrogen peroxide. then rub all ur bites with alcohol. its will sting like CrAzY and feel a little itchey or funney, just pat it down with a towl. (DONT RUB). and thats it. thanks 4 reading :)
rating: 6 (29 votes)
Submitted by Beth at 2009-03-28 11:43:05
I am surprised no one has suggested drinking milk for chiggers. The enzymes in the milk help to soothe the itch and the skin. It also works for hives.
rating: 6 (22 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-11 10:26:48
Take a very, very hot shower and aim the water on to the bites. Lots of water, lots of soap, rub with a clean wash cloth. You will gasp with pain, but it's worth it. Stop shower when the pain subsides. Dry off, put Listerine on a cotton ball, and wash each bite. Let dry. Put antibiotic ointment on each bite (optional). Take a Benadryl and go to bed.
Repeat the treatment daily until bites improve. Use Listerine in between to control itch. I needed Benadryl for only one night. I am VERY, VERY sensitive to chiggers. Blisters, bright red skin all over the affected area, misery for days or weeks without proper treatment. Intense pain and itching that takes your breath away. If it worked for me, it might work for you!
rating: 6 (15 votes)
Submitted by Emil at 2008-06-24 00:11:56
I was treated by a physician for severe chigger bites and her remedy works. If you do this, you will be free of chiggers by the end of the day. Chiggers are the larvae of a certain type of mite. They bite into your skin and release digestive enzymes to eat some of your skin. This causes irritation and by the time it really itches, the chigger is on the move to feed somewhere else. It's not living in your skin in a burrow under your itchy lump. It's going to bite you somewhere else.
It's easy to get rid of chiggers. Just use a common pediculide such as 'Nix'. It will kill the chiggers on your body after a quick application, a ten minute wait and rinse. I do so after each time I enter a known area infested with chiggers and I have been relatively chigger-free for over a decade.
I have heard of people using a dog's flea dip for this purpose too. That stuff is actually stronger than Nix. I'm not sure I'd recommend that and certainly never spray yourself with something that kills insects such as 'RAID'. You could end up accidentally killing yourself by covering your body with a strong insecticide.
rating: 6 (54 votes)
Submitted by Miserableinflorida at 2008-07-24 09:20:24
I am from Ireland and I now live in Florida. Needless to say my fair skin was like a feast for mosquito bites, ants and a new and completely unknown to me, chiggers. I had some on my feet and every time I would go to bed I would wake up with more until my feet were covered in bites. I tried Icing them which gave temporary relief, benadryl, Aloe ointment, everything and I have found the best one is wash the infected area with hot water and soap and immediately afterward put Lysterine Mouthwash on the infected areas. It hasbenzoic acid as well as an alcohol water solution in it so it basically has the same ingredients as Chiggerex and preety much everybody has mouthwash in the house. Immediate relief from itching.
rating: 6 (43 votes)
Submitted by Bill at 2008-07-22 18:04:29
Defense is the best offense here.Prevention of being bitten by using 100% Deet repellent is best. Also washing your clothes in 20 Mule Team Borax may help as some borax residue will kill/repel the larvae. Borates tend to dehydrate ticks, chigger larvae and other certain pest even termites.
If bitten I use a product called Chigger Rid. It can be purchased at Walgreens or Wal-Mart. It is like a nail polish, but also has ether in the formula. Brush it over the bite and the itching stops. reapply when necessary, the less you scratch the better. I think if the larve is still there, the either kills it.
If outdoors also wear light colored clothing - dark colors supposedly attract the chiggers.
rating: 6 (32 votes)
Submitted by Ed at 2011-08-29 07:11:36
I found that by applying Isopropyl Alcohol 91% to the chigger bites with cotton 4 times a day for 4-5 days the bites stopped itching. I don't know if the alcohol killed the chiggers or not but the itching stopped and the bites turned dark red and dried up.
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted by Murray at 2010-09-08 10:55:11
#1. Chiggers,redbugs, body bugs, or whatever you wish to call them do not burrow under the skin to live. They attach themselves to you and start sucking blood similar to a mosqueto with no wings. The other difference is the fact that when you rub the area that they have attached to you actually kill them breaking the highly irritating stem off in your skin. This is what leaves the horrible itching. There are not bugs actually living in your skin that you have to kill. They are actually very fragile and can be taken care of with a simple shower and also immediately washing your clothes you may have been wearing. The epson salt or clorox soak will relieve the infection of the stem left behind(the longer you soak the better). The anahistimine in the benadryl will relieve the itch. The bites are a pain to get over so remember, the next time you decide to go to the wilderness during the warm months, spray down. The best cure is preventitive measure.
rating: 6 (28 votes)
Submitted by Relieved at 2011-07-25 18:52:43
In absense of clear nail posih(any color will do...clear makes you looks less insane) so I dabbed on a nice coat of liquid band-aid and it worked awesome. I just put it on and the itching is gone!
rating: 6 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-09 10:29:01
We moved to Kansas last year after 33 years in Alaska and boy did I discover chiggers quick! Or I guess they discovered me. Last summer was miserable, but this summer is the worst. I'm sure grateful I'm retired because I'm losing a lot of sleep because of the itching.
We live out in the country and I'm getting the bites from just being in our yard (I'm ready to pave everything). I've tried maximum strength anti-itch cream, hydrocortisone cream, calendula ointment, benedryl pills (can't wake up), a homeopathic product, my doctor suggested Calmoseptine, ice and who knows what else. Some of these helped a little but within a short time I was ripping at the bites again. One thing that lasted for a while but offered a different type of pain and I felt was completely worth it was Dr. Scholl's FREEZE Away Wart Remover. I'm telling you, I was a desperate woman!
This year I lucked out and found a product called 'CHIGG AWAY' 'The Soldier's Choice' www.chiggaway.com I found it at our local pharmacy and was stunned at how well it works. I got relief within 30 seconds and depending on how bad the bite has gotten, the relief lasts anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. It has 5% Benzocaine and sulfur in it. I put it on a larger area surrounding the bites so when the little bugger is ready to move somewhere else, I have it covered.
It's not perfect, but it's the best thing I've found so far. However I will be trying some of the ideas I read about from all of you wonderful folks. Thanks for the ideas and best of luck to all of you.
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-04 16:15:06
Went camping and got 70 bites all over my abdomen. Apparently they like where seams of clothes lie and wrinkles where you sweat. I spent two days of hell until I figured out what kind of bug bit me and found this site. Nail polish did NOT work at all, however salt water did. I put salt water on each bite and by morning they were much smaller. Still itched, but I didn't feel like I was going to crawl out of my skin. Took a bath filled with regular salt and bath salt, soaked for about 30 minutes. Then coated each with witch hazel (pharmacy section of store, near rubbing alcohol). The bites are now HALF the size they were and barely itch at all!!! Oh sweet relief!!!!
rating: 6 (22 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-10 01:59:33
First of all take a warm shower and use lots of soap, that should get the chiggers off. Then, apply an itch cream. Rub it in good then apply Listerine mouthwash, it will sting, but it should help. When it itches again do the steps over. DO NOT SCRATCH THEM
rating: 6 (18 votes)
Submitted by Dixie at 2008-06-22 18:58:31
We have always used clear fingernail polish on chigger bites to smoother them.But yesterday after mowing I had way too many for nail polish, so I used Emlers Glue (this is easy to peel off after dry)I found that it stop the itching right away!!!
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-29 06:56:14
My Bijon kept me up all night itching, so I googled 'chiggers on dogs' and found this site. I had tried many of the remidies mentioned here the lat time he was infested with little success. This morning, I tried the Listerine Mint and he went from scratching himself raw to immediate relief! I'm a believer.
rating: 6 (11 votes)
Submitted by brooke at 2010-08-24 15:42:56
I just realized that the itching i was experiencing was chigger bites. Don't know where i got them from. I thought i just had really dry skin which i always have on my legs and it tends to itch like crazy. But then i noticed the bumps. I came on this website and reviewed many remedies. What worked best for me was to shower, and scrub my legs with a soapy wash cloth. Then i made a bath and poured half a bag of epsom salt in. Sat in there for about a half an hour. Get out, dry yourself off and then wet another wash cloth with cool mint listerine and rub on itchy area. Then i took a benedryl and went to bed. Best thing i have done. I have a few bites that are a little itchy still, but most have gone down in swelling and do not itch nearly as much. TRY THE LISTERINE! IT WORKS!!!
i also tried the nail polish on them, didn't work at all, was really just a pain to get off. thanks for the remedies everyone!!!
rating: 6 (12 votes)
Submitted by LACEY at 2010-08-11 10:29:41
I WENT TO WISCONSIN AND WAS RIGHT BY THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CAMPING, AND CAME BACK TO TEXAS W/HUNDREDS OF CHIGGER BITES ALL OVER MY LEGS AND MY BOTTOM. THESE HAVE TO BE THE WORST INSECT BITES IVE EVER HAD! I READ ALL THE REMEDIES AND CHOSE TO GO WITH THE LISTERINE! I TOOK A VERYYYYY HOTT SHOWER (AS HOT AS IT WOULD GO)WASHED MY LEGS WITH SOAPY WATER, AND LET THE HOT WATER RUN ON MY LEGS FOR AS LONG AS I COULD STAND IT. THEN AFTER I GOT OUT I POURED LISTERINE ALL OVER MY BITES. IT WORKED!! I DID NOT ITCH! I ALSO TOOK A BENADRYL RIGHT BEFORE I WENT TO SLEEP...I GOT A FULL 8 HOURS WITHOUT WAKING UP TO THESE CHIGGER BITES!! THANKS SOOO MUCH
rating: 6 (15 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-22 22:00:57
Last Thursday I was working in my yard and due to a knee surgery I am unable to kneel needless to say I had to sit on the grass while pulling out weeds. Oh holy cow did I not think that thru! I have chigger bites all over my calves. Thankfully I have none anywhere else. I had been wearing on my hip one of those 'off fans' on my hip so that worked for more sensitive areas.:) But as I said before my calves it didn't cover the chiggers there. When I came inside my legs were firered swollen, and oh so very miserable. I have tried many things, and actually found something that has helped with the itch that surprised me. Calamine lotion! It has been wonderful. I never thought that it would work actually put it on to appease my husband and wow um I owe him a steak dinner. Lol.
Hope this helps someone, and just a reminder chiggers don't burrow into your skin it's an allergic reaction to their saliva when they bite you that causes people to itch. I will say from now on when I go outside Off spray will be my best friend. LOL Have a great day! Sorry its so long.
rating: 6 (17 votes)
Submitted by Amber at 2011-09-13 12:45:26
I got chiggers all over my legs and torso. i feel for anyone who has to deal with these horrible horrible creatures. i'm going to be very very honest here. nothing exactly works. the best thing i have done is to get a wash cloth and wipe alcohol all over my bites. i bought some chiggerex from wal-mart and it does soothe the itching initially but after the first use, it stops helping the itch. go to the doctor!!! they will give you a shot in the butt that will stop itching AND they will give you a mild anti-psychotic to help with the 'going crazy' feeling. believe me, i was where you're at not too long ago and it sucks. i felt like crying during the night because the itching woke me up all through the night. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! it's the only thing that actually 'helps' there are things that you can do like the chiggerex and alcohol that are very very short term. GO TO THE DOCTOR!! you want that shot in you butt. trust me! it will make the itching stop for 48 hours. my friend had to go again after the 48 hours because it had worn off and she still had bites. good luck and know that you are not alone in the 'i want to cut my legs off' feeling. :-/
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted by Holly at 2010-06-10 22:40:22
I got my chigger bites when I was out on my farm with my horses. I didn't realize what they were until they started itching like CRAZY! I had previously read that a way to cure chigger bites was nail polish, but I didn't have any. So instead I tried tooth paste. I worked magic. The itching stopped and they went away in a few days! I was amazed. Just grab a little bit of tooth pate and stick it on there! Hope it works for you too!
rating: 6 (16 votes)
Submitted by Chigger Bit at 2010-07-04 17:13:19
Go to Walmart and buy Chiggerex. You will be good to go after applying.
rating: 6 (19 votes)
Submitted by Rick Allen at 2010-02-15 22:05:13
I recently went to mexico and found out they have quite a chigger issue down there. I have been in agony for 3 days with over 50 bites on my legs and belt line. Being from Colorado I have never seen or heard of a chigger before. I made a midnight run to Walmart when I got home and bought cortizone 10 and chiggerex and applied one liberally over the bites with about on a scale of 1-10, 1 being no relief. Both remedies scored about a 4. I read where a guy said listerine applied to the bites stopped the itching so I tried that and thank the lord in heaven I give listerine a 10. the itching has stopped for the first time in 4 days I am not going crazy. Listerine works.
rating: 5 (27 votes)
Submitted by Big Riggin at 2011-04-27 13:03:27
I weedwhacked about 3 days ago with shorts on. Aside from the many flying rocks that pelted my skinny legs I came home to itching red bites! So a few minutes ago I called my dad from the school bathroom telling him to bring me some listerine becasue I saw several posts on this site saying it worked. I went to the Varsity locker room put my gym shorts on and sat down and dumped the listerine on a tshirt and scrubbed after scrubbing I dumped some on each leg and let it sit. I dabbed it off and went back to Environmental Science :) Sittin in here now my legs feel tingly but no itching :) I smell very minty also!
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-01 16:50:39
I moved to Tn 9 months ago and this spring and summer has been hot, I have never been been bit chiggers, until now, and they sure do love me I heard from my neighbor that you take clorox bleach and spray it on you after you have been out side, the chiggers supposedly jump off, also I found alcohol rub or vinegar is good before you go outside and when you come in.Spray your clothes and shoes with Off spray, try to avoid using it on your skin.Take your clothes before you come back in and remove them if possible outside and shake them, then wash them right away in hot water and dry them
Avoid throwing your clothes in the laundry basket and let them sit till you do laundry again as they can still bite you and others who have put clothes in the basket Avoid hanging your clothes outside as they will jump on them especially on a windy day
Then proceed to a hot soapy shower
I also have found that putting on a dab of Bengay or some other heat cream on the bites brings relief, so does a astringent and listerine rub poured on a face cloth and rub all over you
Also take Claritin or some type of antihistaime helps also a chlorine pool dip
Most of all keep grass and weeds cut short and try to stay out of tall grass, even in the woods
Tuck your pants in boots or shoes with long socks and shirt inside pants if you must be outside
Becareful to brush off if you need to make a bathroom run as they maybe on you and you pull your shirt up or pants down as they can get in the groin area or fall near the toilet or floor and remain there till they find you.
They say prevention is the best medicine, you know what will work for you, experiment soon you will find the best remedy
Good luck and soon it will be fall and the little suckers will be gone
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Julie at 2007-07-10 18:53:22
I am new to Texas and never had chigger bites before. I had them all over my feet and ankles. The itch was so bad, I thought I was going to go crazy. I tried the nail polish remedy and did not get any results. A family friend who is native to Texas and a ranch foreman suggested a hot bath mixed with bleach: 50%water/50% bleach. I soaked my feet for about ten minutes and it COMPLETELY took away the itch. Wanted to offer the advice on here because it worked so well for me and I was desperate for a remedy at one time. Hope it works for you!
rating: 5 (45 votes)
Submitted by Antoinette at 2011-08-20 19:40:43
I rather give birth to a child than going through the torch er of these chiggers. I woke up digging into my skin I was with tears. Not a thing in my house but oral gel mouth wash, before I applied I washed vigorously with a cloth patted dry and poured the mouth wash on, instantly it relieved my symptoms. The oral jel was a topical anesthetic. I now wear long pants, socks when fishing and duct tape around the ankles.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by patrick at 2010-09-07 17:54:27
ok i live in tennessee and im eat up from my waist down with chiggers!!! ive tried repel and permamone but to no avail on keepin them off me. but someone my dad ran into introduced him to a lil secret and bless that man's heart!!!!! OLIVE OIL!!! just rub it on your legs and arms no chiggers, seed ticks, or deer ticks!!!! it magic lol i keep a bottle in my truck and never go huntin or fishin without it!!!!
rating: 5 (26 votes)
Submitted at 2011-09-06 22:49:13
A thick layer of clear nail polish suffocates the chiggers in a day or two. I had to peel off the old and put a new layer on a couple of bites the second day as they were still itching. I had over 50 bites on my ankles and legs and the only thing that worked was the thick layer of clear nail polish.
rating: 5 (34 votes)
Submitted by old scout at 2010-05-24 10:12:47
I learned many many years ago at girl scout camp about putting sulfur powder in a sock and 'dusting' around the ankles, waist, and wrists. ALWAYS worked.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by lazytigerz at 2007-08-31 20:25:15
After a long day in the Ozarks, and a zillion chigger bites, I read a lot of medical sites and couldn't find any real help. So, from the info I did glean, and finding out that even after showers the little buggers will hang on and live, I bought a bottle of Nix(head lice treatment). I wiped it all over the bites, and, yes, if it can kill head lice, you bet it will kill chiggers. I then dabbed hydrogen peroxide on to prevent any infection. Healed well and no scabs.
rating: 5 (47 votes)
Submitted by CG at 2010-05-27 17:14:22
I have never had chigger bites as an adult- this is AWFUL- GOD THE ITCH! 3 days of severe itching and discomfort- tried all the remedies online... WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS SOONER... MEAT TENDERIZER- it works for bee stings, why not chiggers... I have been using meat tenderizer on my bites and it's working... nothing will STOP the itch completely, but this has helped in healing the wounds faster and gives some temporary relief... just wrap a wet cloth with a generous amount of meat tenderizer around your wound area and sit there for as long as you can take it... it will tingle and burn at first, but it DOES help! I know we all react differently, and I am severely allergic to these bites... I'd try this FIRST, as soon as you see the bites... GOD HELP US ALL- oh, the ITCH!
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by JCL at 2007-08-07 11:44:00
I had HUNDREDS of chigger bites -- way too many for most of the topical treatments. I was about to lose my mind with the itching. After trying other methods of relief, I found that taking a VERY hot shower or bath, as hot as you can stand it, and then daubing the infected area with Listerine mouthwash gave me great relief. The mouthwash is anticeptic and seems to help with the healing. Whatever, I felt like a new person.
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted by Will at 2011-08-02 01:22:07
I recently got chigger bites(started feeling them yesterday, in fact), and being a Yankee transplant in the Southeast, I automatically assumed poison ivy or poison oak as that was the only thing I thought it would be. So I tried the usual remedies I've used for that, like Cortisone gel, Dawn soap, etc. And nothing worked. I was still itching like the devil all night last night and all day today. While talking with some co-workers about my recent hiking/camping trip, and how I had 'gotten poison ivy', somebody said 'where'd you get it?' And I said 'on my ankles, oddly enough, under my socks'. They asked me to show them, and then three people proceeded to tell me that I have chigger bites, and not poison ivy. So I looked up remedies for chigger bites, and asked friends on Facebook. I decided to try two different remedies at once since I had bites on both ankles/feet. On one leg, I applied Chiggerex, and on the other leg, Cool Mint Listerine. To my surprise, both remedies are working equally well. I have applied both remedies this evening, and they have both lasted for the same amount of time, approximately four or more hours. Since applying both the chiggerex and listerine, I've had to reapply once after about four hours. Since then, I'm doing just fine.
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by Donna Gammon at 2011-05-22 08:01:09
To stop itching, for mosquito or chigger bites apply toothpaste to the bite.
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by scbugfighter at 2011-06-17 18:22:20
I had got some bad chigger bug bites yesterday and I just wanted to let everyone know what I did to treat it.first I full bodied scrubbed with the citrus flavored listerene that stops the itching but I don't think it gets rid of them fully.so next I poured a whole body of green rubbing achohal in the tub and added about 2 cups of clorox filled the tub up with water and soaked for about 10-15 mins .itching stopped immediately and chigger blisters disappeared in about a hour I would say I had about 50 bite marks arms legs back hip and I was surprised to see them go away so fast with no scabbing or anything.I would advice using those three things to anybody that has had a recent encounter with these little buggers hope this help a few of you out there with this problem I had for me this was a way to get fully rid of them in less than 24 hours
rating: 5 (27 votes)
Submitted by Lynda at 2008-04-17 11:21:09
I had some Flanders Buttocks Cream and remebered the Buttpaste remedy. Used the Flanders on my 4 year old daughter's back throughout the day and she was relieved immediately! They started to shrink and the redness started to go away by bedtime. Thanks for the buttpaste remedy!
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Pokey at 2010-06-25 20:38:35
I've tried them all and you won't believe what turns out to be the perfct treatment. Have you ever heard of Ambesol for tooth pain? Buy it at any drugstore or Walmart. A dab on your finger, dab on the chigger bite, it kills the itch and the chigger in one treatment! Try it! You will think it is a miracle!
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by kirk at 2011-08-27 00:51:15
I live in country and have been bitten by chiggers all of my life, the absolute best thing I have tried is oil of oregeno! It stops the itch and actually has antibiotic properties that help it heal faster.It also has natural phenol which helps itch stop quick.I use it for numerous things. it can even be taken internally. I get it at health food store,kinda expensive for good stuuf but it is well worth it.
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by iceman9272005 at 2011-07-03 22:00:25
I have been at war with chiggers for at least 15 years.I have tried EVERY and all remedies known to man,nothing.I've studied,and researched,and here is what I came up with...A young 6 lagged chigger gets on you,bits you and has injected you with a strong enzyme that rots the skin so it can eat,then fall off never to bit again.Its the enzyme we are left with.I believe that when air is in contact with the enzyme,thats what makes you itch.I also believe that alot of remedies proves it,like nail polish ect.cuts off the air and makes it stop itching.My home remedie is Aqua Net hair spray extra hold,creates a thin air tight barrier thats stops the itching.Thats what I believe !!Man will win the war one day !!!!
rating: 5 (23 votes)
Submitted at 2006-08-30 04:22:20
when i was in the army we had an FTX. Basically out in the wildernes somewhere for three days no showers no sleep no real toilets and tons of chiggers especially in south carolina. When we got back i had chigger bites all on my lower legs to my anckles(the chiggers got in my boots) My drill Sgt. gave me neosporen , rubbed that on morning and night and i kept myself from scratching and the less i scratched the less it itched and they where gone in a couple of days.
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by C at 2010-08-12 22:29:34
Ok - I admit - I thought that a few bites would subside after a day or two like a mosquito bite but WHOA was I wrong! After four days of itching I finally logged on to this site and not a day too soon!
OK - first of all, i've tried the clear fingernail polish - as gross as it is... try to suffocate the little buggers. I nice burial ground for bugs - YEP! Under my skin. Again I say GROSS! Well - a word of caution - if you have scratched yourself raw, then by all means, add MORE misery and apply fingernail polish! OMG! IT STINGS! It felt like a lit myself on fire.
Ok - Now, next remedy, tea tree oil. NOPE! Not a thing. Well, I smelled pretty awful but NO RELIEF.
Next, proxide. That actually helped a little.
So, tommorrow, after another night sleeping in a Benadryl coma, I am hoping for final relief. Afterall, how long can these bleeping buggers live?
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2009-07-08 12:59:10
Put some hand sanitizer on the bites. The type I used is 60% alcohol, and it relieves the itch without stinging. It is also anti-bacterial so it will help to prevent infection.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by Jan - NC at 2010-07-21 06:30:17
Burt's Bees: 'Res-Q-Ointment' worked great for me. If you can't find it in your local store you can order it on line at burtsbees.com
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Chris at 2010-07-28 22:07:07
ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT 'COLGATE' TOOTHPASTE WORKS WORKS WORKS!! HOW SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE! JUST RUB SOME ON EACH BITE AND ITCH IS GONE AND LEAVES A TINGLING SOOTHING FEELING TO YOUR SKIN. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE BUT ITCHING AND MISERY!!!
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by Art at 2011-06-29 16:17:20
It sounds weird but it works in 5-10 minutes without using kitchen cleaning fluids LOL!!! I was in agony!!! Buy either Mexana medicated powder or Gold Bond medicated powder and a container of Bactine antiseptic spray. Mix the powder and spray together into a paste a little thicker than the consistency of calamine lotion. Apply the paste to the individual bites or to the affected areas and let dry. Besides getting rid of the itch it seems to make te pustules rupture and dry up. Tell me what your experience is.
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by Dottie at 2011-08-04 17:42:22
Bugs Love me. When I encountered Chiggers, I scratched myself raw! A friend told me his friend used a prescription called: PERMETHRIN CREAM 5%. Not sure if this is generic or not.The doctor gave me Hydrocortisone ointment 2.5%. Said it would relieve itching till it healed.I also tried Nail polish; listerine, etc. none worked. Permethrin Cream, 5% is for live bugs under the skin. However, Chiggers are not in this catagory. But, it does work for me. In fact, it is the ONLY thing that does work. Good Luck.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2004-09-04 09:12:02
To smuther the chiggers and stop the itching put vics vapor rub on areas affected. The petroleom suffocates them and the methanol relieves itching. You can also mix camphor and phenol in mineral spirits, works wonders.
rating: 5 (148 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-09 08:31:55
I just got a slew of 32 chigger bites on a forest walk all around my ankles and tried Bacitracin, Hydrocortisone, ice...everything! After reading these hints I tried to find some thing around the house that might work and decided to spray hair mousse on all my bites....amazingly it worked...I just let it dry naturally and so far, no itching at all! Now I have to worry about the clothes I wore spreading the chiggers in my home!!!
rating: 5 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-05 16:17:09
I got bitten by these turds a few weeks ago and the ONLY thing that gave me relief was putting on a thick layer of Chiggerex Plus. It was amazing. Topical Benadryl works ok but not as well as the Chiggerex. I did well and didn't scratch. Sunday night they started to itch, by Thursday I was mostly normal. They got scabs then those came off and now I have 35 scars from them and I never messed with them.
rating: 5 (12 votes)
Submitted by Larry Busby at 2008-07-17 20:26:46
What i use for chigger bites is a vinegar and water mix. I'd start with twenty parts water to one part white vinegar. Stronger works faster, but burns more if you've already been scratching.
rating: 5 (15 votes)
Submitted by Jen at 2011-08-21 11:45:23
First of all, my heart goes out to all of anyone with multiple chigger bites. I cannot imagine the agony you have suffered. The most I've had at one time is 5 or 6 bites and that was horrible and painful enough.
Here is the remedys I've tried and the results:
*Absolutly wash and heat dry clothes.
*Absolutly hot shower or bath and scrub well with soap.
1. Dabbed on Caladryl lotion: helped a little but only for a half hour or so.
2. Alcohol: stung but not much help for pain and itching.
3. H2o2 (hydrogen peroxide): no help
4. Cortisone cream: helped a little for a short time.
5. Bleach: helped a little for short time.
6. Mixed Caladryl lotion, baking soda and hemorrhoid ointment into paste, covered the bite and put a bandaid over it...worked GREAT! Took half an hour for the itch to completely stop. Slept all night and reapplied again in the moring. This remedy worked for me.
7. Was in a hurry so just dabbed a big glob of Tom's no floride peppermint toothpaste on bites and covered with bandaid....took 45 minutes then felt the tingle and it STOPPED THE ITCH.
So this worked very well too.
I hate those damn chiggers and feel so sorry for the poor dogs that must get bit on their tender tummies and underarms ( underlegs?) Ouch!
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Jen at 2008-07-28 20:48:09
I recently went fishing with my husband, and shortly after returning home I started to itch! Really bad!! I soon discovered that I had about 40 bites, probably 20 in my private area! I tried the nail polish but ended up scratching it off. I got some calamine lotion and that helped a little, but the next day I went to wal-mart, and looked where all of the hydrocortizone creams and anti itch creams were and I found Active On.... and it works great! Its made by the same company that make the headache stuff that you apply on your forehead to take away headaches. I dont know if the headache kind works but the Anti Itch kind works great. And you can use it anywhere!!! Hope this works for you as well as it has for me!
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Bill at 2007-07-16 01:11:23
chigger bites are so uncomfortable.... my folks always put ammonia on a cotton ball and dabbed-rubbed this over the bite areas.. immediate relief.... probably should avoid sensitive areas or dilute a bit.. immediate, cheap, effective.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by jakdedert. at 2009-06-22 20:26:33
Okay, this works:
First of all, there are myriad myths about these little buggers. They don't burrow, and any chiggers on your skin will be washed away by a vigorous bath...so the nail polish-type remedies are likely placebo in effect.
First, prevention:
As many have mentioned, DEET is the pre-eminent solution. It WILL keep them away. Other repellants, such as sulpher 'may' be effective. I haven't tried them. Tucking pants into socks, wearing light-colored clothing etc, all help. Avoiding tall grass, moist areas and so on...all good ideas.
What if you've found yourself in a likely area without some form of protection? Chiggers are far more fragile than their agonizing after-effects would suggest. The key to defence though, is that they don't bite immediately. Some sources indicate they may take 1/2 hour or more to dig in and feast. The longer they are left in place, the worse the symptoms.
So, simply RUB them off. A vigorous rub-down of areas likely to be infested (legs, arms, etc) is very effective. Every 20 minutes or so, briskly rub those areas known to have contacted vegetation, but especially feet, legs and arms. The ones you don't kill (most) will be rubbed off. Whever I remember to do this, I don't get bitten...or get very few bites.
As soon as possible, bathe; soap and hot water. You'll kill or wash away any left on your body...hopefully before they've had lunch (you).
Too late: You feel the itch, see the bumps? Bathe anyway. It takes hours for the symptoms to appear, so you likely won't kill any of them. They're gone...but you might get a few.
The real value is the heat...we're talking histomines, the compounds in the skin that transmit the feeling of itching. Heat activates them. Your body can only produce so much histamine over a period of time, so a REALLY hot shower depletes the histamine level and will give a period of relief.
Then take a couple of benadryl (ANTI-histamine...get it?). Finally, rub some topical creme over the affected area...lots of it. Rub hard! It's almost like scratching, but beneficial. I've found anything containing hydrocortisone to be effective, but others prefer dedicated anti-itch products (which contain anaesthetics). The hydrocortisone is more effective in reducing the swelling.
Go to sleep! (Yes, you'll be able to...). The affected areas will be tender--after all, you've been punctured and injected with a foreign substance, maybe hundreds of times--and may itch a bit, but it will be bearable. When you get up, take another benadryl.
I got an infestation that was one big, raw, hamburger-looking welt from my knees to my armpits--much more severe than any picture I've ever seen. It took a while, but daily HC creme, and benadryl morning & night made it possible to live a normal life in that condition. If the itch got bad, I simply jumped in the shower and parbroiled myself again.
(I like hot showers, but I'm talking really hot. Turn the water as hot as you can stand it, play the stream over the affected area...then turn it up some more...it's much better than scratching.)
rating: 5 (27 votes)
Submitted by s.parker at 2010-06-30 12:16:28
My son went to our pond and didn't even think about chiggers. When he came home they were not bothering him at first, but 4 oclock in the morning is horrible when your 11yr old is hurting and itching so bad.... We have tried many things, bleach on the bites, sting like crazy, but only give a little bit or relief. The best that we have found is a warm bath with diluted Pine sol in the water, soak for about 10 to 20 minutes, when you get out, pat yourself dry and then apply listerine mouthwash on the bites, it may sting for a bit but so far we have had a peacefull 6 hrs of releif. Thank you to all that have posted on here we have taken two major things and have put them together and it works for us. Also learned that using the dryer sheets helps stop them from getting on you and sulphr!
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-08 22:37:04
I had about 50 chigger bites, and the best remedy for me was rubbing alcohol, and clear nail polish. I also swam and spent time outside in the sun, and think that this all helped heal and bring the swelling down. After one day of the clear nailpolish solution, they had greatly diminished, and did not itch at all. While the red bites still existed for awhile, they did not spread, flattened, and did not itch. I swear by the clear nail polish solution.
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted by tyler at 2007-05-24 17:15:23
I had chigger bites real bad. I tryed all differant things salt, baking soda, cadradril lotion, chigger bite cream. None of that worked. Then i went and got a stick of after bite and clear nail polish. take like two showers aday and rub really hard with soap and water. Then when you get out put the after bite on each then let that dry and then put on the nail polish. This stops the itching and the spreading because you cant itch through the polish. You can make it worse if u itch and night cause you can spread the rash.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Robin at 2011-08-18 13:18:39
Listerine Mint really works! Apply listerine on a cotton ball and apply to bite liberally and let dry. I found significant relief in one day! The listerine and the mint help dry the bites in order to heal more quickly. I also found Chiggerex at Walmart, that works well also, so I use a combination of the two.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-17 12:59:45
When I was a little girl, my Dad go chiggers all the time. The only thing he did for them was to put Salty Bacon Greece on them and he would be just fine.
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by Gale at 2004-04-14 14:54:39
For Chigger Bites add 3 cap fulls of concentrated lysol to a full bath tub of water. Take bath in the water.
rating: 5 (57 votes)
Submitted by Luddyjean at 2011-08-28 19:08:45
Listen, I'm not recommending this remedy to anyone else, I just want to let everyone know how much this has worked for me. Last year was another year of every bug in the south, seemingly, finding me to chew on, ticks, mosquitoes and my very favorite little tortuous varmint, the southern chigger. I get them everywhere and so did my mother, and in any southern state I'm a magnet or something. Needless to say we stay out of blackberry bushes. I am very fair, blood vessels all over me just under the skin, I think they can smell blood! Anyway, this year I added another experimental chemical to the list. Floor cleaning, mopping Ammonia, full strength on a cotton ball! I rubbed it on patches of bites and held the ammonia-soaked-cotton ball on the bite itself for several minutes, and would reapply a few times over the next hour. Glory be, they disappear!!! Hump and all, gone, sometimes the little ones go away in 2 hours with a few dabs, big ones take overnight after applications! Best to do this as soon as coming into house or when the itching or bump appears. Especially seems to work on 'skeeter bites' and no see-ums. This is a critter my ex says you get in the mountains when camping. Not sure, I've never seen them. Anyway, the itching subsides after about 1 hour. My next relief suggestion is..., say you didn't use the full strength ammonia soon enough, is sunburn anesthetizer! or the toothache stuff like oragel. I happen to have had a sunburn spray with Lidocaine in it. I'm 57, raised in the south, and suffered so many years! This works! The Ammonia pen from the store never did. I think it just wasn't strong enough. Hope the ammonia doesn't take a toll on my liver and kidneys, but man, I've got to have relief! Actually, I'm thinking about moving to cooler climates. The little ticks so tiny, and the big ticks that bring their own knife, fork and spoon are driving me crazy. Did I mention I have to spray my shoes and legs with killer before I go outside!
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by brighten27 at 2007-06-18 00:50:47
My son got these chigger bites so bad on his private up front. I took him to the DR cause it caused it to swell. DR said to take claritin every 24 hours and Zantac 75 every 12 hours.. Does wonders, not sure how, but Dr. said it was the combination of the two medicines!!
rating: 5 (44 votes)
Submitted by Mike (Mountain Hopper) H. at 2008-07-17 10:51:43
If you know you have many chigger bites, or suspect you may have many chigger bites, when you get back to the house, fill the bath tub with warm water, add about one-half to one cup of bleach, and soak in the bath for about five minutes (don't put bleach water on face or hair); after soaking for five minutes, shower and wash with soap. Don't bother with the bleach bath a day later - it won't help then. Just take the hot shower. Don't repeat baths with bleach - it won't help. Some 'bravo' men I know rub undiluted bleach onto bare skin. I don't recommend undiluted bleach on skin.
Afterwards, if the bites itch, it takes a lot of discipline, but do not scratch. This makes it much worse, and makes the itch last much longer. If you scratch, you may be looking at discomformt for a week or more. If you don't believe me, pick out one bite that you don't scratch; you will see it is the one where the discomfort eases the fastest.
Since children (and some adults) can not resist scratching, read all the other treatments listed, but be careful not to try those that suggest products that may be harmful to the skin. Many of the treatments don't actually help, they just 'mask' the itch to where you don't think you feel the itch anymore. You can use 'CALAMINE LOTION' or similar topical lotions. For children, giving 'BENADRYL' (at the dose recommended on the package) helps, especially before bedtime.
As far as prevention, if wearing shorts, a simple application of 'OFF' is effective for the legs and ankles. If wearing pants, the most effective is 'PERMANONE', but this must only be applied to clothes (never to the skin!) and must allowed to dry. I spray my pants the night before and let them air dry.
I base this approach on many trips into the woods near Mountain View, Arkansas, and, yes, I did suffer many times before arriving at this approach.
I wish you well.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-19 16:30:43
The only 'remedy' that has ever aided me for any period of time, a few hours, is placing the bites under hot water, about as hot as you can reasonably stand.(Burning yourself is not considered part of the remedy.)
This allows me to get to sleep and have a decent night's sleep. Sometimes have to repeat during night.
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by North Carolina at 2009-07-05 10:50:55
I work outdoors and have had countless episodes of chigger bites. I bought everything Wal-Mart and CVS Pharmacy recommended with not much luck.
After advice from my beautiful wife, I hop up on the edge of the tub, wet down my legs and ankles with warm water, then rub unseasoned meat tenderizer VERY, VERY GENTLY onto my ankles and legs where the bites are. Leave there about five minutes and rinse off with warm water. Take a Benadryl and you're set for the night and can actually sleep!
Recap: Benadryl and meat tenderizer - that's it!
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by Chip Chapman at 2011-10-14 12:03:54
Here is the real deal. I got chigger bites literally all over my body, must be a thousand, last Sunday it is now Thursday and I have a few days left to deal with this vermin. I have been soaking daily in hot bath with Epsom Salts, (very soothing and antibacterial). After that I spray a mix of Chloraseptic (an anesthetic) and alcohol (antibacterial) all over the bites this calms the itch almost immediately. Then take an Acetaminophen (pain)this has gotten me about halfway through the night when I get up and reapply the spray. Works pretty well and I still have my sanity, just messy with the food coloring . You can spot treat with any itch cream as needed but this doesn't help long. Change cloths and towels often to minimize infection. Try it I think it will help you too.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by C. Gee at 2008-09-01 20:24:41
My son has had several bouts with chiggars and we have tried all of the suggested remedies even scratching them until they were raw and giving him a bleach bath. That works but boy is it painful for a child. We had an aunt that makes homemade soap and I have found that if you take a wash cloth and lather it up with homemade soap a few times a day and scrub the affected areas it works wonders. My son says it is the best thing we have ever used. We also give him benedryl and put either Aveno anti-itch cream or Dermoplast after we wash him.
If you can get you some homemade soap it works for a whole lot of things!
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by Little Tina at 2010-08-03 16:45:21
OK,year #2 that I have gotten these little effers. Worse, the same way both times. I live in south Jersey. Years ago my husband whom I adore planted some type of grassy stuff in the garden right in front of the house, which now seasonally grows above and beyond any weed I've ever seen. So, I must pull. Though, next year I think I'll call the pro. I've been to the DR.!! Elimite 3 days ago! (its been a week and a half now) NO AFFECT! They're on STEROIDS! I look like ive been attacked by a severly angered cat. Did the nail polish, Chiggerex from Walmart, Benadryl gel, homeopathic anti-itch spary, neosporin'd my whole body, I wanna DIE HERE!! NOW, I've read a few pages of these remedies and i'm off to make use of the peroxide, alcohol, and meat tenderizer. PLAESE GOD LET THEM WORK!! I'm SO FLIPPING TIRED! I will check back and let you all know, so YOU know what works! Off to the shower I go!
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by C at 2010-08-16 08:28:24
Someone suggested Lice shampoo as a lotion and I have to say that really did help. I smelled a bit like RAID but it seemed to work. I makes sense actually - it's medicine for LICE it has to work a little on other BODY BUGS - Again - totally gross.
The next remedy that REALLY REALLY worked for me was Calagel Anti Itch GEL. It's for poison oak/ivy AND bug bites. You can find it at a drug store in the anti itch section.
I dont know if it was this or the muriad of pain I've inflicted on myself trying to stop the insanity but I HAVEN'T ITCHED ONCE since appying and the bites seem less irritated.
Good luck to all of my fellow Chggerites. Good luck and stay out of the weeds!
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Jim at 2009-05-30 22:47:37
The best remedy I have found for chigger bites is to cover the red spot with a small piece of adhesive tape. It helps to clean the spot with alcohol first. The tape sticks better. The itching stops immediately. Leave the tape on for 24 hours. When you remove the tape, examine it with a magnifying glass. You will see the chigger attached to the tape. I live in Texas and we have plenty of them.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2010-09-02 13:46:36
Have been getting chigger bites all summer and found nothing to relieve itch...until...a local gent suggested a soak in a tub of water with 1 cup of bleach, or other highly chlorinated source such as a pool. I did the tub soak. Relief came within minutes! I did not realize that the larvae cause the itch and they have to be killed.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by NJ Diane at 2010-09-26 13:22:35
Deer hunter husband covered in chigger bites...Chiggerex is good, but you all are right. The Cool Mint Listerene works wonders! Bought a huge bottle -WalMart brand and it is amazing! Don't know why it works, but it does!
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by Kerrie at 2011-06-26 20:57:11
THIS IS THE BEST REMEDY EVER!!! I am 37 and from Texas. I have been fishing with my dad my whole life. whenever those chiggers attack, dab each bite with clear fingernail polish, it removes the itch, suffocates the chigger and you are done..no baths or scrubbing or medicines!
rating: 5 (41 votes)
Submitted by Santi at 2008-08-24 20:21:05
There is one very simple solution to relieve a chigger bite itch.
Lime juice.
It works wonders if you didn't catch them soon enough and just need something to take away the itch. You'll need to reapply every so often though.
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by Kristen at 2010-09-23 16:30:02
I take a hot shower, wash thoroughly with soap, then when I get out of the shower pat down bite areas with pad soaked in alcohol. I even go so far as to itch them open so that the alcohol soaks them and they start to heal, otherwise ones that haven't been itched stay itchy longer. I usually don't have issues sleeping after doing this. Also wear looser clothes once your bitten so that material doesn't 'irritate' and rub bites.
rating: 5 (31 votes)
Submitted by mark saunders at 2004-04-13 18:21:36
Get a washcloth wet with warm water. Apply table salt to the wet washcloth. Rub the washcloth on the affected areas of the skin, avoiding the genitals. It may hurt a little, but it will help stop the itching.
rating: 5 (71 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-18 21:19:02
Today I spent about an hour and a half in the shore of a lake and when i got out i got very itchy from the chiggers! first thing i did was take a hot shower then I cut a lemon in half (you could also use lemon juice) and rubbed it on all of the itching spots, left it on for about 5 minutes (it will probably really sting!!) and then wiped it off with a towel. That helped the itching alot but i was still a little irritated so i took some olive oil and rubbed it all over the burning spots.. this stopped the itching almost completely!!
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted at 2006-08-07 14:07:22
After reading all the remedies and trying a few, I think petroleum jelly works the best. Although I took it a step further because while I wanted to make sure the chiggers died, I also wanted relief from the itching so I tried A and D ointment. If its good enough for a new baby`s diaper rash, it`s good enough for me. So far so good!Desitin would probably work also but it would be harder to wash off and a little smelly. Oh! Guess what? You can use it on your private areas!
rating: 5 (31 votes)
Submitted by Jim at 2009-06-04 12:46:31
I find the best remedy is to clean the red spot with alcohol and then put a small piece of adhesive tape on it. Leave the tape on for 24 hours. When you remove the tape you can see the chigger stuck to the tape with a magnifying glass.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Christine at 2011-07-20 00:10:56
The BEST EVER remedy for chigger bites is really crazy but it works! Wet the skin area where you were bitten and then rub some concrete powder or masonry mix just on the bite. Instant relief. The powder sucks out the itchiness and it heals super quick.
rating: 5 (14 votes)
Submitted by aja at 2004-08-04 15:57:20
Dab a little clear nail polish on the chigger bite as soon as you notice it.
rating: 5 (115 votes)
Submitted by John Mason at 2005-12-12 13:20:07
Rub bacon grease on affected areas of skin. Itching will stop immediately and chigger bites will disappear in 2 or 3 days.
rating: 5 (69 votes)
Submitted by Rach at 2007-08-19 08:11:49
Put Neosporin ointment on the bites to help the healing process and prevent infection.
Wrap an ace bandage over the site to cut off the air. The air is what makes it itch.
I just got my first night of sleep thanks to the ace bandage!
(Thank you to everyone on this site for contributing their ideas too.)
rating: 5 (2 votes)
Submitted by former farmer Bill at 2009-07-12 10:59:11
I've found these 2 preventitive measures in a book by Alan Lacey, who wrote a gardening column for the Wall Street Journal in the 1980's. Both worked very well for me when I was spending most of every summer weekend in chigger infested Indiana fields during the 1990's.
Right Guard deodorant spray
Drop trou, hike up your shirt and spray everywhere a chigger might go, especially everywhere below your waist. The chiggers will go to someone else.
Bounce Fabric Softener sheets
Rub a sheet all over your skin below the waist and on as much of your upper body as you want to protect, again the chiggers will find you not their liking and go eslewhere.
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by D at 2010-08-04 11:12:10
Use lice shampoo it's a miracle. Put it on like a lotion, it soothes instantly.
rating: 5 (3 votes)
Submitted at 2010-10-12 20:10:38
Hi mi name is erik im from baton rouge la. I find that there is a couple of things that work very well other than just washing with warm soapy water . You can use vicks vapor rub for one this will suffercate a start to pull them out of your skin. Also go to wal-mart amd pick up Dr. Tichenors antiseptic peppermint mouthwashthis stuff takes care of every kind of bug bite there is .It also takes care of razor burn for when you get done shaving
rating: 5 (39 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-26 09:10:02
To all whohave chiggers, here is what works for me and our cub scout pack. Even when we all use Deet, some of these little buggers still get you: 1.Hot shower with lots of soap and scrubing with a washrag.
2. Listerine applied liberaly over any bite. Apply several times a day until healed.
3. Wash everything you wore in hot water with clorox.
rating: 4 (25 votes)
Submitted by Thomas Dindinger at 2009-10-07 19:36:57
I was hunting in a wooded/field area, and also received chigger bites. These are very annoying rashes if not treated immediately. I was one to learn the hard way. But i found a remedy that worked wonders, on accident. All i had at home was poison ivy 'calamine spray'. I sprayed this on each bump or rash and the itching went away immediately and the rashes did after a few days. Highy reccomended.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-16 16:18:36
Chigger bites are something to drive anyone insane. I've just experienced chiggers lately, and learned that putting clear finger nail polish on the bites will help! It will suffocate them and temporarily help itching. Rubbing deodorant on the bites will also help. Try it out!
rating: 4 (32 votes)
Submitted by Jenny at 2009-04-25 06:41:11
I am being driven mad by chigger bites. Ice wrapped in a towel seems to offer at least temporary relief. Don't leave the ice on too long or else you'll have more problems, but the ice numbs the area and the itch is gone for a while.
rating: 4 (9 votes)
Submitted by Tosha at 2007-08-01 23:03:55
Dermoplast! It's a topical anesthetic that numbs the skin. It is only temporary, but it is wonderful! It will keep you from itching the area so they can heal quicker.
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2010-09-15 11:22:32
This might sound crazy, but my son gets them at least twice a year.... Rub Old Spice on the bites and them will stop itching right away. I promise this works!!!!!!
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted by LINDA at 2008-05-28 03:23:53
TO KEEP FROM GETTING CHIGGER BITES DO THIS BEFORE YOU GO INTO WEEDED AREAS WITH CHIGGERS A POSSIBILITY, TAKE AN OLD SOCK, FILL IT UP WITH SULPHUR FROM THE FARM STORE AND JUST DUST AROUND YOUR LEGS, FEET, JEANS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND MOST OF THE TIME, YOU WILL GET NO CHIGGER BITES!
rating: 4 (19 votes)
Submitted by Hutson at 2011-06-22 02:38:19
Guaranteed instructions to stop chigger bites from itching: Dab ammonia on the bite and it will definitely stop it from itching. Let the ammonia dry on the bite before you put clothes over it. One application should do the trick, but it will not take more than two. This also works for mosquito bites.
rating: 4 (25 votes)
Submitted by Stephanie at 2005-07-19 08:06:40
Aveeno makes a colloidal oatmeal soak used to help itching from poison oak, poison sumac, insect bites and other things. I have found soaking in this GREATLY help reduce itching for chiggers. However, if there are only a few bited confined to feet or ankles, it is much easier to use a small amount of this colloidal oatmeal soak and mix with a little bit of water to make a paste. Apply this to the bites and wrap the feet/ankles with Saran Wrap to help the oatmeal sink into skin and to prevent it from coming off as you walk. Keep on for 15-20 minutes, then remove the Saran Wrap and gently massage area with warm water until you feel a thin film form. Pat dry (do not rub). Stops itching for hours and you can finally fall asleep!
rating: 4 (23 votes)
Submitted at 2009-05-22 15:53:53
I needed to find a fast cure for my chigger bites today, because I am very sensitive and these itchy pests kept me up all last night & feeling miserable! I experimented with a couple new items. The first was 'Murad's Clarifying Mask 4% Sulfur Acne Treatment.' It definitely cooled down the itch and reminded my of the old Noxzema cream.I didn't leave it on long, because I didn't want it to get on my clothing, but it does dry, so you could wear something old over this. The next thing I tried was the original 'Tiger Balm.' I used it before my desperate needed nap and I drifted off to sleep, feeling like I was at a day spa! My husband applied on me a couple layers of it and rubbed it in for about 1 1/2 minutes. Then I put an old shirt on, to prevent staining sheets. There was a cooling/warming sensation and no sting.Both of these were such a relief to find!! Give them a try!
rating: 4 (5 votes)
Submitted by zac at 2010-07-17 15:03:47
Im a tennessee boy raised around chiggers i have used nail polish and bleach and everything else i could get my grubby little fingers on. i recently found a quick cure for itching called 'chigger chaser' it works great for itching although there is not much in the spray container the spray works magic for maybe two hours. good luck.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2010-04-05 00:47:56
The only remedy that I have ever found to work - and I have tried many is a very hot soak in a bathtob with about 4 ounces of clorox bleach added.
rating: 4 (33 votes)
Submitted by Donna Z at 2006-08-31 19:41:45
I live in south-central Missouri, on a cattle ranch, and I get into chiggers at least twice a year. I am sensitive to the bite and have a really hard time, itching day and night and marked around my ankles and lower legs with nasty-looking sores.
The kids in the area told me to take a hot soapy shower, then 'scratch'em 'til they're raw, put hairspray on them, and get ready to dance'.
I don't know if the bitesgo away any faster, but it does stop the itching.
rating: 4 (31 votes)
Submitted by Kyle at 2009-05-20 13:23:31
The Ultimate Chigger Bite Relief Formula
Actually there are two formulas. Both enzymes can be readily found at the local supermarket and are inexpensive.
• 1 oz bottle of Tea Tree oil--Can be found at the local Wal-Mart Store in the pharmacy section and is one the best grades available and other brands can also be found at most health food stores.
• ˝ teaspoon dish washing liquid--allows emulsification of the juice and oil
• ˝ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 2 oz fresh pineapple juice.
1. Mix pineapple juice with dish washing liquid
2. Add Tea Tree oil
3. Mix thoroughly
4. Add ˝ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne contains a strong pain blocking substance that also helps to relieve the itch
5. Mix well
6. Apply to bites directly with q-tip at first indication of itching
A slight burning may occur that will subside in a few seconds
7. Reapply as often as needed
WARNING: DO NOT LET THIS MIX GET INTO or AROUND the EYES
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2006-05-05 23:47:21
Use finger nail polish, make sure it is clear and put it on the chigger bite. The bite should go away in a few days.
rating: 4 (35 votes)
Submitted by shirley A.Evans at 2009-07-21 10:21:49
for itching from chigger bites. I found that Distilled white vinegar 5% it does stop itching & drys up bites
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-22 22:45:32
I was attacked by Chiggers recently, and I looked at this remedy page to find anything that will help! What worked for me? SCALDING hot water aimed directly on the bites. It hurts, but it def works. Listerine works well too, but can be a little sticky.Take a Benadyl at night; it eliminates the itch and lets you heal overnight without scratching. Lastly, Aloe Vera with Lidocaine relieved a lot of the pain after a scratching session. WASH ALL YOUR CLOTHES AND BEDDING THAT YOU CAME IN CONTACT WITH!!!!
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted by MissPrints at 2010-08-26 15:20:09
Chigger bites. I went to Texas and wore sandals like I do where I live in California. Woe is Me! 4 days after I came home : 16 chigger bites(Yep, they were) I made a mistake in Texas and walked on a grass lawn that was not St. Augustine grass. I came here(4 days of sheer torment later, watching welts actually rise up under my skin). I'd tried Cortizone creams, Benedryl, hot showers, soap, cold showers and even 409! plus a series of OTC ''guaranteed remedies.''
Whoever recommended NAIL POLISH, Bless your heart. I mentioned it to the Pharmacist and she commented it created a '----' ,something medically termed but I suppose in simple terms: it smothers the little devils. Relief was INSTANT.
Gawd, what exquisite agony the itching created. NAIL POLISH NAIL POLISH NAIL POLISH.
rating: 4 (22 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-09 22:49:37
I had never been exposed to Chiggers till now- and i'm 38- but Whoa is me i walked in a field with my daughter and my sis to take pics for my Daughter's Graduation Announcement. After an after noon of taking pics sitting in the nature with the pretty wild flowers.. I found my self itching and later covered from Waist line to Knees in chigger bites.
After several baths and some Cortisone cream and an oral allergy pill- In desperation to stop the itching, I tried while in the shower putting this Foot Mud Mask that is Menthol all over my skin. I let it sit for literally 2 mins and then rinsed my legs down.
My skin was all tingly and cool the itching stopped for a good 3-4 hrs.
I would like to try it again and rinse with a Salt scrub to help dry them out--
rating: 4 (25 votes)
Submitted by Billy England at 2009-06-21 11:30:27
I live in North Central Texas and chiggers like me alot. I have tried bleach in the bath water, fingernail polish, etc and what works for me to relieve the itch is Vick's vapor rub. If you apply after a good hot bath, you can really feel the menthol working and my itching is relieved. If I know I am going to be in tall weeds or just working in the yard; I will spray my pants and legs with a DEET based repellant. GOOD LUCK
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by PJ at 2011-08-28 23:45:05
Chiggers need oxygen just like ticks and other mites. I put a good slather of vaseline on my ankle and shin. Because I did not have enough gauze, I used a panty liner and surgical tape to cover overnight. For about 3 minutes the itching got worse but then went away completely. The next day I took a hot shower, patted dry and put on a drying agent. [I happen to have edible diatomaceous earth to rid my animals and house of fleas.] Worked Perfectly!!!
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by Willie at 2008-06-13 12:49:42
I Run the rivers on my wave runner and camp on the banks. I wear sandals and shorts. Have not had a problem with ticks, misquitoes,chiggers or poison ivy. AS long as I have my iodine and baby oil mixture. 1/2 oz. Iodine to 16 oz. baby oil. If fair skined, put sun block on first. When I haven't used my mixture. I clean the area with mechanix soap that has grit, top off with iodine and use Dr. Sheffields oral pain relief. Which has 20% benzocane. The highest concentration I have been able to find over the counter.Cheap prevention and cheap cure.
rating: 4 (5 votes)
Submitted by Beachcricket at 2010-08-30 20:50:26
My dog & I were going crazy from chigger bites! I used toothpaste! Wow! Instant relief!!!!!Wanted to find a Natural remedy so my dog would not be hurt by the treatment! He was itching so badly! He is happy now!
rating: 4 (5 votes)
Submitted by Jim at 2007-06-13 14:31:37
I found out if I place a lit cigarett near the bite and hold it close enough to feel the heat and a bit of a sting the itch will go away for good. The relief is quick and permanent.
rating: 4 (29 votes)
Submitted by George in Central TX at 2011-10-21 02:33:06
I've learned that to get RID of the chiggers is short order is by shocking them with hot and cold water flushing. First, flush with cold water(tap water) until your skin becomes accustomed to it. The switch to hot water. Not so hot as to cause damage to your skin, okay? It won't feel hot to you at first because your skin below the surface where the nerves are are still cold. It takes a few seconds for you to begin feeling the heat. As soon as it becomes uncomfortable, switch back to the cold water. Repeat this about four of five times in a row. The chiggers can't handle the extreme, sudden temperature change and either die or give it up and get the heck out of there. I've done this numerous times and the relief is immediate and it gets rid of those nasty darned creatures. Again, be careful NOT to burn your skin. This works EVERY time for me.
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by Bruce at 2009-07-13 06:42:46
This summer has been the worst for chiggers in North Georgia. After reading some of these remedies I tried the hair dryer. It worked for me to some extent. My wife check our medicine cabinet and found some Bee Sting Relief Swabs. They WORKED! They contained pramoxine hydrochloride. As our supply was almost gone I looked online to see what product contained pramoxine hydrochloride and found it was the main ingredient in the following: Anest Hemor, Aveeno Anti-Itch (obsolete), Calaclear, Caladryl Clear, Callergy Clear, Epipram, Fleet Pain Relief Pad, Hemorr-oxine, Itch-X, Phicon, Pramegel, Prax, Proctofoam, Proctozone-P, Sarna Sensitive, Soothe-It Plus Hemmorhoidal Pad, Summers Eve Anti-Itch, Tronolane, Tronothane.
rating: 4 (15 votes)
Submitted by Susan at 2011-08-09 17:04:51
Nail polish didn't work for me. Itch creams with corticosteroids didn't work for me. Apple cider vinegar relieves the itching for about an hour. Chiggerex Plus relieves the itching for about 4 hours (contains benzocaine) and antihistamine tablets (chlorpheniramine maleate) at bedtime help me sleep without itching. Also, 2 extra-strength acetaminophen tablets (500 mg. each) stop the itching for about 6 hours.
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-22 12:13:23
Lamisil for Athletes Foot really works well for us.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted by Ted Birnbaum at 2011-08-06 14:41:26
Chigger bites often caused greater inflammation & itching than mosquito bites. I discovered by taking 25 mg of manganese (as in manganese gluconate or Albion chelated manganese) daily, I could PREVENT the bad inflammation and itching. I still got bit but the swelling and itching were insignificant. Taking manganese after the bite did NOT help. After the summer, I did NOT take so much manganese...only take what you need.
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted by swamprat at 2010-09-13 19:15:19
Born and raised in the swamps of south ga. chiggers are as common as an old blue tick hound.this remedy is no secret ,grandparents used for years.octagon soap:hot bath lather up rag scrub bite areas.soap contains herbs to not only take away itch but also heal bite areas.Do noi let these little pests deter you from enjoying all the beauty and peace of spending the day with mother nature.have a very blessed day.
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2005-09-08 12:42:06
i was told that if you wash with rid x let dry on skin use caladryl lotion once dried then use rid x two days from then they will clear up quickly within a day or two after second washing
rating: 4 (31 votes)
Submitted at 2008-07-30 09:56:08
After getting several chigger bites over the weekend, I used a remedy recommended by my physician for mosquito bites to stop the itching. Make a paste using meat tenderizer and water and then rub it on the bites. I left it on them for about 20 minutes and then took a shower and scrubbed each bite. It helped tremendously with the itching.
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted by john at 2007-07-15 17:53:03
Take a bath as soon as possible, rub some benadryl on the bite and just bear it. The bite weakens your skin so scratching it usually results in an open sore. If you scratch an open sore you can get a staph infection. Staph infections will cure itching but they can kill you too.
as always, good luck/have fun!
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2009-08-18 15:43:41
I recently tried this and it works quite well. First spread a thick layer of hydrocortizone cream on the bites. Wait for this to dry as much as possible. Next apply an alcohol based hand sanitizer to the area. A product like Germ-X works well, but any gelled alcohol product will work. This provides almost instant relief because of the cooling alcohol. Next, and this is important because it suffocates the chiggers, apply whipped wax to the area. I found a hair product called Nolita which is a creamy whipped wax. Finally, don't touch the area. Within a day the chiggers will be dead and you won't itch.
rating: 4 (31 votes)
Submitted by Nature Boy Willow at 2008-04-01 05:09:49
I went to cvs our local drug store and bought a bottle of chigarid, it helps for about 2-3 hours tops and its very expensive too considering i had them from the waist down. so i was told by a friend to use kerosene and i tried it. it worked great no more itching for 1 whole day, although you smell like kerosene for the day. Also if you plan to go into the woods a good way to prevent chiggers and ticks from attacking you is spray your legs and boots with a high concentrated mixture of garlic and water. it will keep them off you. Much safer than spraying yourself with that chemical [ DEET ] found in most insect repelants. I also found that wiping youself down with a fabric softner sheet will keep the gnats from biting you on those hot summer days.
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-09 12:14:44
Chiggers? Just keep Sage in your garden and dry some for the winter. For Bug bite just chew a sage leaf just enough to break it and get it wet. Apply to the bite. Hold on place with a piece of tape. It normally will be gone in a few minutes.
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by Jim R in SC at 2010-09-04 01:21:44
My experience: yesterday I walked in a field of tall weeds wearing shorts and no insect repellent protection (duh!). About 4 hours later I was burning up with literally hundreds of chigger bites, mostly all over my thighs, butt, and behind my knees and elbows. I thought I was going to die from the deep burning itching.
I got in a hot shower and scrubbed myself down with very little effect, in fact my skin was more inflamed from the scrubbing.
I then read some posts here, and ran a hot bath with about 1/2 bag of Epsom salts and even added about an eighth of a bottle of Listerine. I soaked until the water was too cold to stay in it, 40 minutes.
Got out and used a wash cloth to rub Benadryl itch stopping Gel, mixed with more Listerine all over the inflammations. Then I took 3 Benedryl alergy capsules (box said take 2), and it became bearable enough to sleep.
Woke up this morning and I feel like I dodged a thousand bullets. No more burning itch or inflammation-all day. It's a miracle, but I don't know and I don't care which treatment to attribute my cure. Probably a combination of all the things I did.
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted by No longer Itchy from Indiana at 2008-06-15 17:29:37
THE BEST: Desitin and meat tenderizer. Do this as soon as you see the bites. Don't delay or it will be too late. This is the best remedy I have ever found. This may cause a scar. While the skin is broken, it will be suseptible to infection. Keep clean and dry.
If there is a blister on the center of the bite, scratch it open with something very clean (not your dirty fingernail,) so you expose the raw skin in the center of the bite. This should be a very tiny area. Cover the skin surrounding the 'hole' or center of the bite with Desitin or other diaper rash cream -- the white kind with a high percentage of zinc oxide. Use a q-tip to apply it and be VERY careful not to get any on the center or hole of the bite. The purpose of this is to protect the skin surrounding the hole from the meat tenderizer.
Then make a thick paste of Adolph's meat tenderizer (buy in the spice aisle) and water. Put this on the center or hole of the bite. It will sting. Leave on for 5 minutes. Do not rub or you will rub the Desitin into the hole and the tenderizer will not be able to make contact with the your skin in the hole. Gently rinse off with cool running water after 5 min. Do not rub or you will get Desitin in the hole. Repeat 6 times a day for two days. The itch should be gone.
(While it is still itching you can also also use topical Benedryl spray or gel or anything that contains 2% diphenhydramine. Do not use anything cream or oily based or it will 'waterproof' the bite and the meat tenderizer will not be able to make contact.)
How this works: The enzymes in the meat tenderizer break down the substance that the chigger injects into you. However, it also breaks down your skin. You will be left with a small 'crater' where the meat tenderizer has dissolved your skin. This crater will eventually fill in with a scab. Keep it clean and dry to prevent infection.
My chigger bites usually itch for 5 weeks. When I used this method, they itched for 2 and a half days. Amazing.
rating: 3 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2010-03-25 09:52:03
My husband is a hunter and he swears by using diluted Pine Sol cleaner. Just mix a bath with Pine Sol added and soak for about 10 minutes. Chiggers dead and gone.
rating: 3 (18 votes)
Submitted by Ben at 2008-10-07 19:11:20
Once you have them its too late!
Prevent them with powdered sulpher.
rating: 3 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2009-05-28 11:57:24
If you put clear nail polish over the bite it will smutther them. It know it works because my neighbors have gone down to Tennesse for the past 3 years and they have also gotten them.
rating: 3 (15 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-21 15:10:13
Powdered sulphur is the best defense–if you and your friends can stand the smell
By far, the most effective and time-proven repellent for chiggers is sulphur. Chiggers hate sulphur and definitely avoid it. Powdered sulphur, called sublimed sulphur or flowers of sulfur, is available through most pharmacies. Dust the powdered sulphur around the opening of your pants, socks and boots. If you plan to venture into a heavily infested area, powdered sulphur can be rubbed over the skin on your legs, arms and waist. Some people rub on a mixture of half talcum powder and half sulphur.
But a word of warning: sulphur has a strong odor. The combination of sulfur and sweat will make you unpleasant company for anyone who has not had the same treatment. Sulphur is also irritating to the skin of some people. If you have not used sulphur before, try it on a small area of your skin first.
Some families have problems enjoying summer backyard activities because of chiggers. The most effective means to eliminate these chiggers is just remove the habitat favored by the adults and juveniles. Clearing away brush and weeds, keeping the grass cut close to the ground and removing conditions which attract small animals that can serve as hosts is the best way to get chiggers out of your yard. Chiggers seldom survive in areas that are well groomed.
rating: 3 (16 votes)
Submitted by jim at 2004-08-13 00:24:16
Use Super Clean (engine cleaner). Take a napkin and dab it into the Super Clean and gently apply to the irritated areas. Follow up with a thourough bath or shower. AVOID PRIVATE AND SENSITIVE AREAS!!!
rating: 3 (29 votes)
Submitted by kansas bowhnter at 2009-08-17 22:55:25
OK face it, a chigger has not just bitten you, it has dug in under your skin and set up house. All the other remedies will make the itch more tolerable but you will be miserable until he dies! I know the PETA folks will not like this but insectisides are good, use them, I use Malathion on a sponge, let it set for 15 min, then take a shower. End of problem, bug dead.
rating: 3 (30 votes)
Submitted at 2008-05-26 17:13:50
Ok if you are outside and you belive you have been around chiggers than as soon as you come in take a washcloth with bleach water on it and rub it on your legs, this is to kill the chiggers before they bite you, and add 1 or 2 cups of bleach to your bath as well just dont wash your hair. this is also to kill the chiggers before they bite you!!!!
rating: 3 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2010-05-24 06:46:02
The only thing that worked for me is benadryl, and aloe vera gel with lidocaine, the stuff thats used for sunburn relief. A bath with HOT water, use lots of soap to kill the larvae works good to get rid of 'em.
rating: 3 (6 votes)
Submitted by Dustin at 2010-05-26 21:21:51
for the horrible crazed feeling of the chigger ugh! first, listerien worked good for the itching but the lil annoying dude is under your skin laying larva (making babies) AHHHHH! so to kill the lil bugger clear nail polish, smother over the bump. < sould be done before you go to bed that way your not tempted to itch causing the nail polish to flake away witch will cause it not to work but this all worked for me.
rating: 3 (24 votes)
Submitted by Kyle at 2009-05-20 13:24:53
The Ultimate Chigger Bite Relief Formula – A More Effective Formula
The effectiveness seems to vary with the age of the product and the time when it is applied after the itching begins. The sooner the treatment is applied to the sooner the itch can be controlled. The longer between applications of the treatment after the itch is noticed, the longer it takes for the treatment to have lasting effectiveness.
• From the local supermarket, one container of meat tenderizer with the Enzyme Bromelain or Papain found in the ingredients listing.
• 1 oz bottle of Tea Tree oil from Wal-Mart, in the pharmacy section. This oil is a great healer and helps to prevent infection.
• Cayenne pepper; a small amount may added if desired.
1. Mix as much meat tenderizer as desired with Tea Tree oil until a slightly semi-mushy mix is formed.
2. Apply directly to the bite with fingers.
3. Rub in hard for a few seconds. The abrasion affect seems to help break down the chiggers spit and neutralizes it faster.
The meat tenderizer can also be used alone, right from the container.
1. For easy access, remove the shaker top.
2. Moisten the fingers first.
3. Then place a pinch of tenderizer right on the bit and rub it in.
4. Let the formula dry.
5. Reapply as needed. Most applications, when applied early, cure the itch permanently.
Warning and Caution
When applying any formula with Cayenne included, avoid touching the eyes, inside of the nose, genital area and the butt crack. WASH your hands immediately if not sooner after applying the formula if you got any at all on the hands. If any of these areas become contaminated, apply olive or some other vegetable oil to the area to dilute the Cayenne. WATER WILL NOT WORK!
rating: 3 (4 votes)
Submitted by Michael Bradford at 2009-04-26 17:29:14
I am from Oklahoma, and an avid outdoorsman. These pests are a part of it for me. They attack the sockline, then waistline, then arms unless you are laying down on the grass. They can also be in bushes and shrubs. Pets can track them in on carpets. You can't see them, so to prevent chiggers, simply use mosquito spray or a Deet product. If you get them, simply swab Clorox on the bites to kill the bugs. Scratching makes them dig deeper and itch worse. If they are a bad case, then take a bath with a few cubs of Clorox in it and get it as hot as possible. Keep a door or window open, or place a fan nearby to get rid of the fumes. After the bath, apply HydroCortisone cream for the itch. Before bed, apply Neosporin. Continue with Neosporin after that for healing. Then send me a million dollars for this advise. You will feel it's worth it.
rating: 2 (12 votes)
Submitted by Rick at 2011-09-22 17:51:36
I have done a small bit of research about these vile creatures. The best remedy is PREVENTION. Get Permanone and read how to use it. Once you start itching from chiggers it's too late to do anything to stop it. When a chigger gets under your skin, it feeds until it bursts (kind of gross, isn't it??) It's body fluids is what causes the inflammation and itching. Go to medicinenet.com for a full blown dissertation on these things and relief from the itch.
rating: 2 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-20 06:21:04
A fingernail file worked worked for me, sharpen your nails, go to town, scratch the eggs, feed the larva, they leave you, 3 days later, 'vola', life goes on.
rating: 2 (21 votes)
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