Knowing what are chiggers and its causes will help you in know and formulate methods on chigger treatment. Chiggers, scientifically known as Trombicula alfreddugesi, are the larvae of different types of blood sucking mites. They are also commonly called harvest mites or red bugs. They are minute parasites that feed on both animals and humans. Their bites can cause allergic reactions and severe itching and take up to 2-3 weeks to heal. Chiggers generally grow in the grass and can attach themselves to almost anything. It is always better to know how to get rid of chiggers before the itching becomes extreme.
The best way to guard yourself against chiggers is to stay away from areas like fields, meadows and other grassy spots where these parasites grow and multiply. You would also need to wear appropriate clothing which can protect you from these bugs. Chiggers are seen to become more active during warmer weather and if your property has grass or other vegetation, you must take certain precautions to avoid chigger infestation. Grass and weeds should be cut down regularly and this waste should be soaked in soap and water solution. Chiggers can even attack plants inside the house and such infected plants must be brought outdoors immediately and treated. This could be done with a soap water solution. Insecticides and Diethyl-m-toluamide containing insect repellents can also be used to prevent chigger infestation. Dusting sulphur on your shoes, socks and clothes can also help you avoid getting bitten by chiggers. Deodorant soaps applied on the skin and allowed to dry also help in preventing chigger bites. Methods on how to treat chigger bites are many however in spite of taking these precautions, if you still get infested, you can follow these simple tips on how to get rid of chiggers on skin
- If you suspect that you have been attacked by chiggers, the first thing to do is remove all your clothing and wash it in very hot water. The next step would be for you to soak yourself in a hot tub and scrub yourself with soap and a body scrubber or a loofah for at least 10-15 minutes. The hot water will kill the bugs and the scrubbing will help get rid of their larvae. No other chemicals or bleach should be added to the water as it can harm your skin.
- Chiggers on the skin can also be eliminated by using lice shampoo. The shampoo should be applied to the affected areas on the body and rinsed off with hot water. Scrubbing with soap and water afterwards is also important to ensure that all the lice shampoo has been taken off. However, this method of using lice shampoo is not recommended for young children or people with sensitive skin.
- You can also try using a hair dryer to get rid of chiggers on particular spots on the skin, especially if they are causing too much irritation. The dryer should be pointed and used at the infected area for a minimum of two minutes whereby the heat from the dryer will kill the chiggers.
- Even when you are successful in eliminating the chiggers from your skin, the itching continues for a while and this can be minimized by using calamine lotion, petroleum jelly or even diaper rash creams.
- A mixture of water and baking soda applied on the skin after a hot bath can help to eliminate chiggers and also provide relief from itching.
- An aspirin tablet dipped in warm water and applied on the affected areas can help sooth chigger bites.
- Oral intake of vitamin E capsules is also a powerful cure for chigger bites and helps in reducing the itching sensation.
answered by A S