![]() ![]() Throw your clothes in the wash: “Take off your clothing immediately after coming indoors. If you don’t have access to a shower right way, use a towel to brush off your body–this may help dislodge any that have camped out on your skin. Hit the shower ASAP: Once you get back indoors, “you should immediately take a hot shower and use soap to thoroughly wash your body to remove any remaining mites,” says Dr. Wearing permethrin-treated clothing, which also works effectively against ticks, can also be helpful. ![]() Wear protective clothing: “If you are going to be in grassy fields, make sure to wear long pants and sleeves,” says Dr. If you’re going to be out for a long amount of time, be sure to reapply your repellent ever two to three hours, Raupp says. The best way to treat a chigger bite? Avoid getting one in the first place with these tips:Īpply insect repellant: Raupp suggests applying a DEET-based repellent on your boots and clothing if you’re heading out to areas with thick greenery (avoid spraying directly onto your skin). Also, there’s a common myth that applying nail polish to a chigger bite will work to “suffocate” the mites, but this doesn’t hold up, as chiggers don’t actually burrow into the skin, says Dr. Skip these remedies: “We don’t recommend treatments such as rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or apple cider vinegar,” says Dr. Prescription topicals: If it gets really bad, “your dermatologist can give you a prescription for a cortisone cream stronger than what is available over the counter,” says Dr. It’s important to stop scratching at the skin, otherwise you may open yourself up to secondary infection. Grab a frozen bag of peas if you have to. Katta.Ĭool compresses: This can also reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from the itchiness, says Dr. OTC oral meds: “For some people, taking an antihistamine by mouth, such as diphenhydramine ( Benadryl), can help with the itching, although it does cause drowsiness,” says Dr. “This can be used twice a day for up to two weeks to the area, although usually the symptoms will resolve before then.” You can also try an OTC hydrocortisone ointment to help reduce the redness and itching, says Dr. OTC topical ointments: “Apply soothing over-the-counter products like menthol or calamine to reduce itch,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Only the teeny-tiny, larval chiggers (a.k.a. “On humans, chiggers usually move up to places around socks, tops of your pants, around the stomach and belt line, and under the bra,” Raupp says. They tend to prefer damp, shady habitats.Ĭhiggers become most active during the late spring through early fall, and love to hitchhike onto your skin when you walk through an infested area. Raupp, Ph.D., professor of entomology at The University of Maryland and creator of Bug of the Week. “Chiggers are microscopic mites that are found in grassy areas, edges between lawns and forests, and on small mammals and birds,” says Michael J. So, what’s the best way to deal with these parasites once spring hits? Here, we asked experts to break down what a chigger bite looks like, ways to treat and soothe the itch, and how to get rid of these berry bugs for good. ![]() But if you’ve ever been bitten by one, you know the itch it leaves behind can be intense and incessant. From mosquitoes to ticks, plenty of blood-sucking bugs are looking to get a taste of you-and chiggers are just another pest waiting for their chance, especially in the midwest, south, and southeast parts of the U.S.Īlso known as berry bugs, red bugs, and harvest mites, chiggers are so small (think: 1/120-1/150 inch) that they’re hard to see with the naked eye. ![]() If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, then you understand one nuisance all too well: There are a lot of insects to ward off. ![]()
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