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 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: 7 (14 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: 7 (12 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: 7 (13 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: 6 (10 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 (33 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 (49 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 (67 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 (46 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 (28 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 (48 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 (39 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 (16 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 (44 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 (41 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 (20 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 (142 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 (26 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 (55 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 (65 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 (69 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 (109 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 (9 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 (39 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 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: 5 (5 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 (7 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 (6 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: 5 (4 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: 5 (2 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 (5 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 (7 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 (2 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 (10 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.
• ½ teaspoon dish washing liquid--allows emulsification of the juice and oil
• ½ 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 ½ 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: 5 (2 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: 5 (2 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 (4 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 (3 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: 5 (2 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 (2 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: 5 (2 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: 5 (4 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 (26 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 (20 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 (9 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 (30 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 (11 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 (10 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 (22 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: 4 (8 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 (26 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 (12 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: 3 (5 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: 3 (5 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 (24 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: 3 (12 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 (4 votes)
Submitted by Ben at 2008-10-07 19:11:20
Once you have them its too late!
Prevent them with powdered sulpher.
rating: 2 (6 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: 1 (2 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 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: 0 (0 votes)
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