Murphy

What is the treatment for chigger bites?

Many home remedies for chigger bites are based upon the incorrect belief that chiggers burrow into and remain in the skin. Nail polish, alcohol, and bleach have been applied to the bites to attempt to "suffocate" or kill the chiggers. But because the chiggers are not present in the skin, these methods are not effective.

Treatment for chigger bites is directed toward relieving the itching and inflammation. Calamine lotion and corticosteroid creams may be used to control itching. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may also be used for symptom relief.

Murphy

http://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/article.htm

Might check this out for research purposes.

TanyaL

You have to kill the insects first. They will travel up your body until they like a spot, then dig in, literally. As long as they are alive they will bite and their saliva will make you itch. If they bite deeply the bite has to heal and will itch while it heals and some people react to the bite by intense itching. Other people itch a little while and quit.
If you are getting new bites, the insects are still alive and traveling. A magnifying glass will show them as little red dots. You have to kill them or you will stay their host.
Camphor is a good choice to kill them and stop the itch. the fingernail polish will kill them by preventing them from breathing. Good luck. Usually insect repellant will prevent them from getting on you, something like Deep Woods Off with Deet. Normally they are found on tall grass and get on your ankles and socks or jeans and travel where ever they can. They live a pretty long time considering, and they seem to be pretty hungry.

Airwick156

I don't know what they are either.

Melinda in Tulsa

In Florida, they are called redbugs...same as chiggers.

Put Kerosene on them. Will kill them and the itch instantly and doesn't burn. Been there, done that!

lindyline

And I thought it was just me. I'm going to google the now.

I'm back. Found em. They're a mite/tick. We don't get em over here, but I'm sure if we did I'd be the one they migrated to every time!!
They don't sound pleasant. I think I'd be trying to get hold of some anesthetic(numbing) cream or spray to help with the itching.

janethagy

I have had chigger bites and it can be miserable.. I was in the woods with my husband and grandson who was only 2 yrs at the time, I had let him down to walk and then I carried him quite often too. My DH and grandson never got a chigger but I was loaded to the max with them, had them on my legs, bottom, stomach, chest, under my arms.. I was in total misery.. the only thing I had on hand at the time since we were traveling was hair spray.. I sprayed my self down and that did give some releif. The following day I got some chigger-ex that stuff is good and gave me some releif too.. Boy I sure feel for you I know what your going thru. Hope you get rid of them soon and are able to get some releif soon.

hobbykat1955

Gee, me too! Never heard of them...WOW..I wonder if they are in areas with warm climate all yr round?

leatheflea

The finger nail polish smothers the chigger. Chigger-rid and chiggerex are amonia so if you have some amonia you could save yourself a trip to town. THe hotter you get the more they will itch, so try to stay cool. Seeing how they are in some fairly hot places your honey may enjoy seeing you try to keep that area cool...LOL!

hobo2000

Kerosene definitely works. Then scrub down with plenty of soap. Dawn blue works well to get off the kerosene oil.