What Are Chigger Bites?
Chiggers (also called berry bugs or harvest mites) are small, red-coloured and 6-legged wingless organisms which belong to the class Arachnida and the subclass Acari. They are often found in certain places such as grassy fields, shrubby areas, forests and the marginal vegetation of streams, rivers, or lakes.
Chiggers crawl onto the skin of people or animals and can use their tiny claws to attach them.
Chiggers are so tiny, you can’t see them with the naked eye, so it can be really difficult to avoid being bitten by them.
Common signs and symptoms of Chigger Bites
Chiggers do not make you prone to serious medical conditions, but they can certainly cause discomfort and annoyance. Bites from these mites may include:
- Pain
- Itching and severe skin irritation
- Swollen, pale red bumps or plaques
These symptoms often develop within a few hours. If you are suffering this awful itching caused by these mites, try some simple home remedies to get rid of chigger bites fast and effectively.
How to Treat Chigger Bites
Here are the best natural treatments that can be easily applied to manage any discomfort at home.
- Cold compress
Due to its numbing effect, a cold compress can help to reduce the uncomfortable swelling caused by chigger bites. In addition, it is also effective at numbing the nerve endings to reduce itching sensations.
How to use:
- Wrap some ice cubes in a towel or washcloth
- Place this ice bag on your affected area for 1 – 2 minutes
- Repeat this natural treatment 4 – 5 times a day until your symptoms disappear.
Or:
- You can let cool water run across the affected areas to smooth the skin and stop irritation as well.
- Baking Soda
Baking soda which is also considered an effective method to treat chigger bites at home contains powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities that can help get rid of itchiness from any variety of causes, including chigger bites. By using baking soda, you can also reduce the chance of developing in inflammation.
How to use:
- Fill your bathtub with warm or hot water
- Add ½ cup of baking soda and then stir it well
- Soak yourself in this solution for 10 – 15 minutes daily for 2 – 3 days and you’re sure to see a difference!
- Oatmeal
Due to its anti-inflammatory antioxidant and antifungal activities, oatmeal has the ability to provide relief to itchy skin and ease irritations.
If you have very sensitive skin, we recommend using colloidal oatmeal (oats ground into an extremely fine powder).
How to use:
- Fill your bathtub with warm water
- Add one cup of and oatmeal (or colloidal oatmeal) then stir it well
- Soak yourself in this mixture for 10 – 15 minutes
- Use this home remedy 1 – 2 times every day, depending on how severe your case is.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
If you have been unlucky enough to experience chigger bites, try using apple cider vinegar to get rid of its symptoms the natural way. This vinegar contains antiseptic and antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help provide effective relief from swelling and itchiness as well.
How to use:
- Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water.
- Add 2 – 3 cups of organic, pure apple cider vinegar and then stir it well
- Soak yourself in this mixture for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Use a dry towel to complete body drying before applying a light moisturizer in order to keep it hydrated properly.
- Repeat this action once a day until you notice a difference.
Or:
- Soak a cotton ball into organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and then squeeze out all excess water.
- Place this cotton ball onto your affected area and leave it on 5 – 7 minutes
- Rinse it off with cool water
- Aloe vera
Hundreds of studies have suggested that the great anti-inflammatory activity found in aloe vera can help reduce the risk of inflammation and ease pain caused by chigger bites. In addition, due to its high concentration of vitamin E, this plan is also useful to moisturize your skin, reduce an existing itch and prevent it from recurring.
How to use:
- Prepare a leave of aloe vera and extract gel
- Rub this gel onto your affected skin and leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes
- Rinse it off with cool water
- Repeat this natural home remedy to cure chigger bites 2 – 3 times a day until you feel better.
Or:
- Combine a little aloe vera gel and add 3 – 4 drops of peppermint oil
- Stir it well
- Apply this mixture on your affected area and leave it on 15 – 17 minutes.
- Rinse it off with cool water
- Olive Oil
Recent study have shown that olive oil actually make certain skin conditions better, including chigger bites. This oil contains high content of vitamin E which can help soothe the irritation and promote a healthy healing process as well.
How to use:
- Thoroughly wash the affected areas with cool water before apply this oil onto it.
- Repeat this action 2 – 3 times daily until your symptoms resolve.
Or:
- Mix 1 – 2 teaspoons of raw honey with 3 – 4 drops of olive oil
- Apply this mixture on your affected area and leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes
- Rinse it off with warm water
- Apply this home remedy 2 – 3 times every day to treat chigger bites naturally
- Chamomile
Chamomile is well known for both medicinal properties and beauty benefits. Many studies have suggested that its calming and anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve minor itching and swelling. Moreover, it is also effective at promoting faster healing and decreasing your risk for a skin infection.
How to use:
- Mix one teaspoon of castor oil (or coconut oil) with 4 – 5 drops of chamomile oil.
- Apply this mixture on your affected area and wait for 10 – 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Repeat this method 2 – 3 times a day.
Link source: https://authorityremedies.com/how-to-treat-chigger-bites/
