How to Get Rid of Blood Mites on a Human

Mites are microscopic, blood-sucking parasites that plague both humans and animals. Smaller than the head of a pin, mites are easily transmitted between humans and animals and can cause severe problems if not treated quickly. Blood mite infestation in humans is characterized by itching, redness and inflammation of the skin. Getting rid of blood mites may take some time but is necessary for the health and well-being of your family.

Things You'll Need

• Loofah sponge
• Epsom salts
• Vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Tea tree oil
• Towel
• Spray-on deodorant
• Washer and dryer
• Bleach

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Shower every day to remove as many mites as possible. Dampen a loofah sponge with warm water and add a handful of epsom salts to the loofah, scrubbing your body with the sponge. The salts help to exfoliate and scrape away blood mites hiding under the dead layers of skin.

• 2

  Fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar and spray this on your skin after exfoliating. Allow the vinegar to sit on your skin for 5 minutes, rinsing with plenty of warm water. Vinegar is acidic and will cause any blood mites feeding on your skin to withdraw in an attempt to remove themselves from the acid.

• 3

  Add three or four drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo, coating your hair and allowing the shampoo to remain on your hair for 10 minutes before rinsing. The tea tree oil acts as a miticide, killing mites on your hair and scalp. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent any oil residue from irritating your skin.

• 4

  Dry your skin thoroughly and apply a spray-on deodorant over your entire body. Deodorants such as Arrid Extra Dry contain a 24 percent solution of aluminum chlorohydrate, which helps repel new blood mites from infesting your body. You can spray the deodorant on your clothing as well to keep mites away.

• 5

  Wash all of your clothing and bedding in hot water and dry them on the highest temperature setting on your dryer. Add bleach to all whites and other items that may be safe to bleach. The heat from the water and dryer kill mites that might be burrowing into your linens.

• 6

  Vacuum carpeted surfaces daily to suck up any mites that might be living on the floor. Make sure to empty the canister or throw away vacuum bags in an outside garbage can with a lid to keep any live mites from migrating back into your home and causing further infestation.