How to Ease the Itch of Chigger Bites

Contrary to popular belief, chiggers don't burrow under the skin of their host victims (animals and humans). They bite, and they insert parts of their mouths into the host's skin pores and hair follicles while injecting saliva containing a digestive enzyme into the host's bloodstream. The enzyme dissolves skin cells, which the chigger sucks up as nourishment. This enzyme-filled saliva is the source of the intense itching that victims seek to ease.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-itch anesthetic
• Hot water
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase a local anesthetic containing anti-itch medicine from a drugstore. Over-the-counter suggestions include hydrocortisone, calamine lotion and benzocaine, which are available as lotion, ointments and tablets. If the victim is allergic to chigger bites, ask the pharmacist for suggestions, or ask a doctor for a prescription medication.

• 2

  Wash any clothing and shoes that were worn into chigger-infested areas in hot, soapy water to dislodge and kill chiggers. Otherwise they will re-infest the host once the clothing and shoes are worn again.

• 3

  Wash the victim's hair and body immediately in a tub or shower with warm, soapy water to remove lodged chiggers or those that haven't yet lodged themselves onto the host. Apply a thick lather, and thoroughly scrub the entire body, particularly areas commonly targeted by chiggers: armpits, the backs of the knees, under the belt line, ankles and crotch.

• 4

  Dry the host's hair and body, then apply the anesthetic to affected areas, according to the medication's directions or following the instructions of the pharmacist or doctor. In most cases, the chigger's saliva is already in the bloodstream by the time the host notices the itching. However, applying the anesthetic to a clean body helps ease the itch as the enzyme works itself from the host's body.