How to Get Rid of Chigger Bites

Chiggers are the nearly invisible larvae of a mite. The tiny red immature arachnids can be seen if they are clustered together on skin. They like to congregate in folds of skin, such as in armpits, behind knees, at the ankles and in the crotch or groin areas. Bites are itchy and can be raised or flat. They sometimes look like blisters. Folk remedies often involve methods of smothering the bite to kill the chigger, but since the insect is no longer present these are ineffective.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Anti-itch cream
• Anti-bacterial cream
• Oral antihistamine

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash any exposed skin with soap and water after spending time outdoors to remove any chiggers you may have picked up. Remove any clothing and wash, in case they may contain the tiny insects. Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when out of doors may help prevent chigger bites. Tucking pant legs into boots may help as well.

• 2

  Apply anti-itch cream to any chigger bites. If itching has opened a wound, apply anti-bacterial cream.

• 3

  Take oral antihistamines to control itching. Chigger bites do not cause long-term problems, but can be intensely itchy for one to two days.