Home Remedies For Chigger Bites & Prevention Tips

If you have been looking for some home remedies for chigger bites, you have certainly come to the right place. Chiggers are pesky parasites that are invisible to the naked eye. Red in color, chiggers quickly become yellow once they start feeding on bodily fluids. What’s more, they are so small that you don’t see them until the first sign of their bite appears in a day or so. Next time you go for a nice trek or camping trip, be careful of your surroundings. In this article, we look at the symptoms of chigger bites and a few natural ingredients at home that can deal with them easily. Scroll down to know more!

What Are Chiggers?

Chiggers, also known as red bugs and larval mites, are tiny larvae belonging to the arachnid family. Although these larvae are extremely small, their bites cause intense itching.

Chiggers are commonly found in grassy or wooded areas. They love warm, humid places and are most active in late spring and summer. Knowing where they live and how they grow can help you avoid getting bitten by them during outdoor activities.

Chiggers can quickly get on your skin from blades of grass and vegetation if you happen to brush up against their habitat. They are so tiny that you won’t even notice their presence until your skin begins to itch. They can also enter your home surreptitiously. However, these larvae become inactive at temperatures below 16°C and die when the temperatures fall below 6°C.

Quick Tip

Chigger bites are easily confused with bites from bed bugs, jiggers, and scabies. However, the appearance of the bite marks can help distinguish one from the other.

How Do Chiggers Bite Humans?

Once chiggers attach themselves to the human body with the help of their claws, they attach their mouth to the skin and inject their saliva. The presence of an enzyme in the saliva of chiggers breaks the human cells into liquid form. The human body responds to this by hardening the skin cells around the saliva, thus creating a tube via which the chiggers suck on the body fluids. Chiggers usually feed on our body for 4 to 5 days before falling off on their own.

Other than the persistent itchy sensation, you may notice other symptoms after a chigger bite. Some of them are listed below.

Signs And Symptoms Of Chigger Bites

The common signs and symptoms that accompany chigger bites include:

• Reddish bumps on the skin with a bright red dot in the center
• Bumps that occur in groups and grow for up to a week
• Bumps that usually occur around the armpits, crotch, ankles, waist, or behind your knees

Though there are hardly any serious health consequences of chigger bites, one of the major problems is the intense itchiness that follows. In fact, you may even start to bleed as a result of itching constantly. This can, in turn, cause skin infections, worsening the appearance of the bites. Thus, it is best to treat the problem. We have listed some of the best natural remedies that can help you in your quest against chiggers and their bites. Take a look.

How To Treat Chigger Bites Naturally

1. Baking Soda
2. Vicks Vapor Rub
3. Bleach Bath
4. Essential Oils
5. Epsom Salt
6. Rubbing Alcohol
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
8. Nail Polish Remover
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
10. Oatmeal Bath
11. Coconut Oil
12. Toothpaste
13. Ice Pack

Home Remedies To Treat Chigger Bites

1. Baking Soda

You Will Need

• 1 cup of baking soda
• Bathwater

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of baking soda to your bathwater and allow it to dissolve.
2. Soak in the bath for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Alternatively, you can also make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the chigger bites.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once a day for 2 to 3 days or until the itching subsides.

Why This Works

Baking soda is one of the most widely used home remedies for treating inflammation (1). The alkaline nature of baking soda can neutralize the affected areas, and this, in turn, can reduce the itchiness caused by chigger bites to a great extent. Baking soda can also prevent the existing rashes from spreading further (2).

2. Vicks Vapor Rub

You Will Need

• Vicks Vapor Rub (as required)
• Salt (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Add a pinch of salt to a little Vicks Vapor Rub and mix well.
2. Apply this mixture to the chigger bites.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once every night for 3 to 4 nights.

Why This Works

Vicks Vapor Rub contains menthol, which exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling, inflammation, redness, and itchiness caused by chigger bites

(3), (4).

3. Bleach Bath

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup of standard household bleach
• Bathwater

What You Have To Do

1. Add one-fourth cup of household bleach to a tub filled with warm water.
2. Soak in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. You can also mix equal parts of bleach and water and apply it directly to the chigger bites.

How Often You Should Do This

You may take a bleach bath immediately after your encounter with chiggers.

Why This Works

The chlorine in the bleach makes the chigger bite dry faster, kills any leftover chiggers on your body, and reduces the itching caused to a great extent (5).

4. Essential Oils

a. Tea Tree Oil

You Will Need

• Tea tree oil (as required)
• Cotton pads (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a drop of tea tree oil to the affected areas.
2. You can either apply it directly or with the help of a cotton pad.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily until you notice an improvement.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil is widely used to treat acne and insect bites due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can hence be used to treat chigger bites. It also possesses antimicrobial properties that can prevent further infection of the affected area (6) (7).

b. Lavender Oil

You Will Need

• Lavender oil (as required)
• Cotton pads (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a drop of lavender essential oil to the affected area either directly or with a cotton pad.
2. Leave it on and allow it to dry.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2 to 3 times daily until the itching subsides.

Why This Works

Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help reduce the itchiness, pain, and inflammation in the affected area (8).

c. Thyme Oil

You Will Need

• Thyme oil (as required)
• Cotton pads (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a few drops of thyme essential oil to the affected area either directly or with a cotton pad.
2. Leave it on and let it dry.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this twice to thrice daily until the itching subsides.

Why This Works

Thyme essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These properties are attributed to the presence of beneficial compounds such as thymol and P-cymene in it (9). These properties may help reduce the itching and swelling in the affected area and prevent other infections.

Ann, a blogger, shares her own home remedy for chigger bites which includes a simple salt and butter mix. She claims that although the remedy was helpful, it got messy so she decided to use clove essential oil to numb the itching. “As an added bonus, as some of the bigger bites began to blister and ooze in later days, the clove essential oil provided a cleansing effect to keep them from getting infected (i),” she added.

5. Epsom Salt

You Will Need

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• Bathwater

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of Epsom salt to your bath water and wait for it to dissolve completely.
2. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily, for a week.

Why This Works

Epsom salt contains magnesium, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation, itchiness, and swelling caused by chigger bites (10).

6. Rubbing Alcohol

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Take two to three tablespoons of rubbing alcohol in a small bowl.
2. Soak a cotton ball in it and apply it to the affected areas.
3. Leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

You can repeat this procedure as required.

Why This Works

Rubbing alcohol possesses disinfectant properties that can protect the affected area from further infection. It can also help in soothing the area by relieving the itchy sensation (11).

Caution

Individuals with sensitive skin should not use this remedy as it may cause peeling and further irritation of the skin.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• Cotton pads/balls

What You Have To Do

1. Take a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
2. Soak a cotton pad in it and apply it to the chigger bites.
3. Allow it to dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily for a week.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar can help neutralize the affected area due to its acidic nature, thereby relieving itchiness. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in reducing the inflammation, swelling, and pain, while its antimicrobial properties protect your skin from further infection (12), (13).

8. Nail Polish Remover

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons of acetone
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Take a little nail polish remover (acetone) on a cotton pad.
2. Apply this to the affected areas.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily, for 2 to 4 days.

Why This Works

Using acetone or nail polish remover on the chigger bites helps dislodge any attached chiggers and also prevents further itching (14). This remedy is also popularly used for dislodging ticks.

Caution

Those with sensitive skin should not use acetone on their skin as it may lead to other complications.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 2 tablespoons of water
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Mix two tablespoons each of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
2. Using a cotton pad, apply this solution to the affected areas.
3. Allow it to dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily for a few days.

Why This Works

The antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide help in destroying the chigger enzymes that are responsible for making your skin itchy and inflamed (15). It also helps soothe and cool the affected areas with its anti-inflammatory properties (16).

10. Oatmeal Bath

You Will Need

• 1 cup of ground oatmeal
• Bathwater

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of ground oatmeal to your bathwater and soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Alternatively, you can also tie some oatmeal in a muslin cloth and replace your loofah with it.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily for a week.

Why This Works

Oatmeal plays an important role in dermatology and is used for treating various inflammatory skin conditions like acne, pruritusⁱ  An unpleasant, irritating sensation, often caused by dry skin, that makes you want to scratch. , and atopic dermatitisⁱ  A long-term allergic, inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. . This is mainly due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which make it one of the best options to treat chigger bites (17), (18).

11. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Take a little coconut oil and apply it to the affected areas.
2. Leave it on and allow your skin to absorb the oil.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 1 to 2 times daily for a few days.

Why This Works

Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid and capric acid. These fatty acids possess strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help reduce the itchiness and inflammation associated with chigger bites (19). Additionally, coconut oil can also help in keeping your skin well-moisturized and nourished (20).

12. Toothpaste

You Will Need

Toothpaste (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Dab a little toothpaste gently on the chigger bites.
2. Allow it to dry, after which you can wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 1 to 2 times daily for a couple of days.

Why This Works

The minty nature of toothpaste can help relieve chigger bites and itching (21).

13. Ice Pack

You Will Need

An ice pack

What You Have To Do

1. Take an ice pack and apply it to the affected areas.
2. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Repeat 2 to 3 times.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this at least twice daily for a few days.

Why This Works

Ice packs can help reduce inflammation and offer pain relief due to their numbing and anti-inflammatory properties. They help in relieving the bites and combating the inflammation and swelling (22), (23).

The effect of the remedies mentioned above can be observed almost instantly. In addition to these remedies, there are many herbal treatments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that aloe vera, chamomile, witch hazel, honey, lemon juice, garlic, calendula, onion, turmeric, camphor, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, mustard oil, clove oil, and neem oil may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with chigger bites. However, limited data is available to prove these claims.

Here are a few tips you can follow to avoid such experiences in the future.

Quick Tip

You can make an ice pack by wrapping some ice cubes in a soft, clean cloth. Avoid using ice directly on the skin.

If these remedies do not solve your problem or the condition worsens to an infection, over-the-counter anti-itch creams or ointments, like hydrocortisone, may help reduce itching and swelling. You may also use calamine lotion to soothe the skin and for relief. If the itching is severe, taking oral antihistamines can be helpful. In cases where the bites have become infected, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

Here are a few tips you can follow to avoid such experiences in the future.

Prevention Tips

• Be careful and steer clear of brushing against vegetation when you are in wooded areas.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and full pants tucked in socks while indulging in any outdoor activities.
• Shower after you are back from any outdoor activity like trekking.
• Wash your clothes in warm water as soon as you return from a trek or hike.
• Scrub the affected area with soap and water to remove the mites. Applying calamine lotion can help in soothing the burning sensation and itching. You can also take oral antihistaminesⁱ  A class of drugs that helps relieve symptoms of allergies, treats cold and flu symptoms, and motion sickness. topical creams, painkillers, or topical steroids if recommended by your dermatologist.
• You can also spray permethrin sprays on your clothes 1 or 2 days in advance to allow them to dry before wearing them in the wild.
• Apply insect repellents with DEET or picaridin on exposed areas. These repellents help keep chiggers away and reduce the chances of getting bitten.

Infographic: Possible Complications Of Chigger Bites

Most chigger bites are harmless and resolve within a few weeks with proper care. However, in some cases, complications related to the bites may arise.

Check out the infographic to learn about the possible complications of chigger bites and what signs to look out for.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chigger bites lead to serious health issues?

Chigger bites usually do not cause serious health issues. They can be very itchy and uncomfortable, but most bites heal on their own. However, excessive scratching can lead to infections, which might need treatment. In rare cases, chiggers can carry diseases, but this is uncommon.

What happens if you scratch chigger bites?

Although chiggers don’t carry any diseases, scratching could cause skin irritation, inflammation, or infection.

How long do chigger bites last?

Chigger bites usually last anywhere from 2 to 5 days. The bite usually develops a welt within 10 to 16 hours and may continue to itch for a few days.

Where do chiggers live?

Chiggers usually live in moist and grassy areas like fields, forests, or even your lawn. However, they become inactive or die if the temperature falls below 16°C.

Should I pop my chigger bites?

No, popping chigger bites may lead to infection and delay healing. Instead, try using some home remedies for bug bites to reduce the itching.

Do chiggers lay eggs in your skin?

No, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or lay eggs in it.

Can chiggers spread in bed?

No, chiggers cannot spread in bed. They need a warm body and cannot survive in a bed.

Does showering get rid of chiggers?

Yes, showering can help you get rid of any chiggers that are on your skin.

Does Listerine help chigger bites?

Yes, applying Listerine on chigger bites may help relieve the itching.

Illustration: Home Remedies For Chigger Bites & Prevention Tips

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn about these pesky critters, how to protect yourself from them, the symptoms, and treatment options available in case you get bitten by clicking on this video.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Bhakti KapseMBBS

 

Dr. Bhakti Kapse is a General Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in family medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) from Government Medical College, Nagpur. She is skilled in diagnosis and treatment of asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases and is well-known for patient service and clinical skills.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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