Chigger Bite Treatment: 15 Home Remedies & 9 Most Effective OTC Medications

Chiggers

These mites belong to arachnid family. They mostly are ignored due to mini size. Their bite is very powerful and produces an intense itch. Adult chiggers have got eight legs. The size of a chigger is about 1/60^th inch. It makes it barely noticeable.

They live in the tall grasses and wooden areas. They take high jumps and can immediately attach on your skin when you move through areas having these insects. They cannot live in extremes of temperature like below 16 degrees or above 40 degrees centigrade.

Chiggers bite

The larvae form of chiggers bites humans. The larvae form is red in color. It has six legs and is a wingless creature.  Its size is about 1/50^th of the inch.

These larvae prefer to bite on warm and moist areas of human body. With the help of their claws, they firmly hold the skin. It then injects saliva through its mouth. The saliva has some enzymes which break down the cells of the skin to enable it to suck the human’s body fluids.

The body responds by making the skin carefully around the side of saliva. It forms a tube-like structure. This cause the chiggers to stay attached and keep sucking fluids. They remain attached for numerous days, mostly four days.

【Read more about Chigger Bites】

Symptoms of Chigger bite

Chigger bites have their symptoms. They start when the enzymes from the saliva enter the body. It entails:

1. A very intense itching develops. It stays very intense till one two days after the bite. Itching may last for several days. When that area is scratched, the skin cells break down. This leads to chances of secondary bacterial infection.
2. A flat or a raised bump appears at the side of bite
3. This bump may resemble any form of a pimple or a blister
4. They appear in the form of hives

Treatments

• Home remedies

Most of the remedies are DIY and easy to do. The advantage is that these things are easily and readily available in your home. You do not need to make an extra effort to go and buy them from markets. Some of the techniques that are effective against chigger’s bites include:

1. Shower

If you get to notice that chigger bites you or the specific symptoms appear; you should immediately take a cold water shower. Apply soap along with it. This may help in reduction of the effect of a chigger bite.

2. Ice

Take ice and firmly keep it on the site of a bite. It will reduce the inflammation and will relieve the itch to quite an extent.

3. Dryer

Take a blow dryer and apply it for two minutes to the area of chigger bite by holding the dryer at least five cm away, to reduce the intensity of the itch.

4. Baking Soda

Take baking soda and water. Mix these both and make a paste. Now apply it on the area of chigger bite

5. Nail polish

Take nail polish and spread it to the site of the bite. It will make a coat over it and will prevent further damage from scratching.

6. Bandage

Apply a bandage over that area. It will reduce itching by preventing the excess exposure to air. Secondly, it will avoid the scratch as well.

7. Calamine Lotion

One of the excellent remedies for reduction of inflammation and the itching is applying the calamine lotion.

8. Mouthwash

After you wash the affected site, take a cotton piece. Soak it with mouthwash solution and apply it to the area of the bite.

9. Castor oil

Using the castor oil is also very effective. Pour it on the affected site and do a gentle massage.

10. Aspirin

Take one or two aspirin tablets. Make them into a powder form and apply over the bitten area. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

11. Baby oil

First, you have to clean the bitten area properly. Apply some drops of baby oil over there to get real relief from itching.

12. Lavender oil

You can apply lavender oil after cleaning that area properly. It helps by reducing excessive itching.

13. Olive oil

Mix few drops of tea plant oil with olive oil and apply it over the surface. It is one of the most effective remedies available.

14. Aloe Vera

Take drops of aloe Vera gel and mix it with peppermint oil, vinegar, and olive oil.  Use this mixture over the affected area. It is very effective in removing the itchy feelings.

15. Oatmeal

Take cooked oatmeal and apply over that area. It effectively reduces the intensity of an itch.

16. Tea bags

It also aids in chigger bites. Apply the used tea bags to the affected areas to attain great results.

17. Cornstarch

Put it in your bath tub and use the same water. It will relieve the soreness and itchiness.

• Over The Counter Medications

There are several effective remedies that can be applied for the chigger’s mites. They are easily available in the markets. You can opt for any one of these formulas. They all are very effective in reducing the itching, inflammation, and redness associated with chigger’s bites.

1. Dr. Greenfield’s Burn-N-Bite Topical First Aid Treatment

Product Description: It can be used for wide range of problems like insect bites, sunburns, scrapes, skin irritations and various scratches.

Ingredients: Some of the active ingredients are:

• Lidocaine (2%)
• Methanol (1%)
• Aloe Vera
• Propylene glycol
• Carbomer etc

Application: It is used for topical application over bitten areas.

Effects: The effects produced by this product comprise:

• Relieves pain
• Improves discomfort
• Relieves itching

2. Sting 911 Instant Relief from Pain and Itching

It is a non-toxic herbal product; it is effective against stings and bites.

Ingredients: the list of active ingredients includes:

• Organic Verbena
• Soybean Oil
• Organic Yarrow
• Organic Feverfew
• Organic Olive Leaf
• Organic Mugwort

Application: It is used in the form of topical application over bitten area.

Effects: Fast acting reliever of pain and itch. It helps in the healing process of the affected area.

3. Chiggerex Plus! Medicated Ointment

It is effective against all sorts of chiggers, bugs and ticks mites

Ingredients: Some of the active ingredients include:

• Benzocaine 5.0%
• Aloe Vera
• Chamomile

Application: It is also used for topical application. Apply over the bite. Avoid eyes contact.

Effects:

• Fast action.
• It reliefs from pain and itch.

4. On the go skin soother Stick

It is effective against all insects’ bites; rashes, inflammations, hives, bruises, etc.

Ingredients: the active ingredients are:

• Sunflower Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Chamomile Flower
• Montana Beeswax
• Aloe Oil
• Primrose Oil
• Natural Vitamin E,

Application: it is used for topical application over the bite.

Effects: It causes natural healing. It is effective against itch.

5. Chiggerex 2X Power Medicated Ointment

It is effective against all insects bites; chiggers, bugs and ticks

Ingredients: the list of active ingredients includes:

• 10% Benzocaine
• Aloe Vera
• Chamomile

Application: Topically applied over affected area for its actions.

Effects:

• Quick and complete relief from soreness and itching.

  

6. PIC Bite Relief

It is effective against insect’s bites. It has following two properties:

• Analgesic
• Antiseptic

Application: Apply topically to the bite.

Effects:

• Relieves pain
• Relieves itching

  

7. Chigg-Away the Soldier’s Choice

Best for military personnel, campers, hunters, hikers, golfers, surveyors, et cetera.

Ingredients: the active ingredients include:

• 5% Benzocaine
• 10% Precipitated Sulfur

Application: It is topically applied over the affected area.

Effects: fast acting

• Keeps away the insects

8. Adventure Medical Kits after Bite Chigger

It is effective against all forms of insect’s bites.

Ingredients: the list of ingredients includes:

• Ammonium (3.5%)
• Carbopol 940
• Water
• Tea Tree oil
• Sodium Bicarbonate

Application: Apply topically over the bitten area. Rub gently. Reapply if necessary. This is not for children under the age of 2.

Effects: immediately relieves itching

9. Colgin Analgesic Chigarid External

It is effective against chigger’s bites, bee’s sting and cuts, et cetera.

Ingredients: the active ingredients in this product are:

• Camphor 2.8%
• Menthol 0.1%
• Phenol 1.5%
• Collodion

Application: apply it topically over affected area. Not for children under 2 years of age

Effects:

• Temporarily relieves pain
• Relieves itching

• Medical Treatment

It usually takes up to 3 weeks for the bite area to get healed. Some of the medications that are used for chiggers bite are given below. These are used for symptomatic relief of itching and inflammation.

• Calamine lotion
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antihistamine tablets
• Antibiotics for secondary infection

• Preventive Measures

Some of the precautionary measures that should be used include:

1. Clothes

Wear full sleeved clothes. Ensure to keep your body fully covered while going through woods or dense vegetations.

2. Repellents

Apply the mosquito repellents to your exposed parts such as hands and feet. You can make your repellent by mixing lavender oil, peppermint oil, jojoba oil, and lemon grass oil. Apply it to your body parts.

3. Wash

Wash the clothes to remove any chiggers that may be present on the clothes.

4. Bath

Take a soapy water bath if you are suspecting a bite.

5. Don’t scratch

It just yields to more damage and infections.

These preventive measures can be effective if used properly.