Remedies for chiggers

Introduction to chiggers

Many people are not really certain what chiggers are in actuality. They are not full grown adult insects, rather they are larvae of a specific mite variety.

They usually prefer moist and warm environmental conditions.

People who do a lot of activities outdoors are probably familiar with chiggers and have probably been bitten by them.

It is very hard to see a chigger because they are very small and cannot be seen by the naked eye. This leads to the people stepping into infected areas without knowing and getting bitten.

When chiggers come in contact with the skin, they destroy it by injecting enzymes in the tissues.

After this, they begin to feed on this tissue that has been destroyed and the enzymes that were released by the chiggers cause a rash on the skin and general discomfort.

When a person has been bitten by a chigger they will probably be experiencing very itchy and burning skin and then there will be red spots appearing on the skin that look like a rash. If a person is very sensitive to these bites, it is possible that they will develop blisters and internal bleeding in some cases, therefore, it is best to treat the chigger bites as soon as they are noticed. Treatments

As stated previously, it is best to treat the bites as soon as possible in order to avoid the risk of a secondary infection.

When treating the bites it is very important to practice good hygiene and to keep the area clean at all times.

Antiseptic soap and frequent showers are recommended. It is also important to wash clothes frequently and to sun dry them as well and not put them in the dryer.

Yes, the bites will be very itchy, but it is important to try to avoid scratching the skin and risking further infection. If a person does touch the bites, they must wash their hands thoroughly immediately after doing so.

As far as treatment is concerned, a good idea is to make a paste out of baking soda and water. This should then be applied to the bites and left on the skin for about 20 minutes before washing it off. This will help to relieve the itching and burning of the skin.

Essential oils can also be used in order to get rid of the discomfort. Castor oil is great for chigger bites and for soothing the symptoms. Some other home remedies include taking frequent hot showers, and applying dilute vinegar solution and petroleum jelly on the affected skin.