Home remedies for chigger bites are the fastest known natural treatment. Many people are infected with chiggers, some may be poisonous and transmit diseases.
What is Chiggers, and what's its shape?
Chiggers are the juvenile mite called Trombiculidae which are wingless, small organisms. The main symptom of chigger bites is severe itching, and bites appear as flat, raised red areas, or as blisters. The treatment includes supportive means to reduce itching.
A famous myth is that chiggers burrow and remain in the skin. That is not the truth. Instead, they insert the feeding structure in the skin then inject some digestive enzymes that destroy the host tissue.
Chiggers are barely visible to the naked eye and are found in some outdoor places, like weeds and tall grass. They tend to be present in summer and fall. Their length is lower than 1/150th of an inch so they need a magnifying glass to be seen. Their color is red, and the juvenile has six legs, although the harmless adult mites have eight legs.
Signs and symptoms of chigger bites
We need to know the symptoms to find the most suitable home remedies for chigger bites. Once the chigger is filled, it drops off the skin, but the symptoms are still there.
The symptoms include:
1-Severe itching, which occurs due to the presence of the cyclostome, is the most common symptom.
2-Characteristic skin changes and the lesions can take up to 2 weeks.
3- A red pimple flat, or raised, resembles a pustule or blister.
And they usually appear 1 to 3 hours after the first bite and are the most severe harmless adult mites within 1 to 2 days after the bite.
Diagnose of Chigger Bites and Prognosis
Chigger bites are identified based on their location on skin with a history of presenting outdoors also the characteristic itching. And tests are not typically required.
Chigger bites resolve without any long-term complications. Although, scratching of the affected area can result in skin wounds which are more likely to become infected by bacteria.
Proven Home Natural and OTC treatments for Chigger bites:
We can't treat the bites directly but we can reduce the symptoms and itching by using the home remedies for chigger bites which are present in every house and some of the Over-the-counter treatments.
Here are the most proven natural home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for chigger bites:
Natural Home Remedies for Chigger Bites:
1-A Warm Shower
If you have been exposed to chiggers, the best reaction against their bites is to take a warm, soapy shower. This can effectively get rid of unseen chiggers and reduce the number of bites. Remember to use soap and scrub your whole body, then rinse off with cold water to reduce itching.
2-Baking Soda
This is the most proven one of the home remedies for chigger bites as it has natural skin-soothing properties. Baking soda helps to control chigger bite itch. Use it by mixing equal parts of baking soda and water to create a thick paste, then spread it on the bites on the skin and let sit for 20 minutes at least then rinsing it.
3-Castor Oil
It is an old remedy that was suggested by the entomologist. It worked by relieving some itching but it wasn't the most effective remedy.
Over-the-counter treatments for Chigger Bites
1-Antihistamines(oral)
Non-drowsy antihistamines like fexofenadine and loratadine. Other antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine or Benadryl. Ask your doctor before taking any drug.
2-Generic Itch Cream
Maybe it is generic hydrocortisone cream or diphenhydramine, generic creams are an effective, cheaper alternative. These creams have the same active ingredients but may have different inactive ingredients.
3-Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is the go-to for most people when it is about itching. It is safe to use, effective and has no drug interactions.
Summary
There are plenty of home remedies for Chigger Bites as well as over-the-counter treatments to relieve the pain, but as the ancients said prevention is better than cure, it is better to protect ourselves from being bitten by Chigger and to stay away from their places.
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Written By/ Dr. Menna Hosny
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