Ways To Treat And Prevent Chigger Bites

Chiggers, sometimes known as berry bugs and red bugs, are small mites about the size of a grain of salt, that belong to the arachnid family. They are the larvae (babies) of harvest mites. Chiggers are found throughout the Southern United States and are also common in the Great Plains and Mid-Atlantic regions. The mites are also found in Asia. Due to their small size, chiggers are largely undetected on the skin, and most individuals who are bitten will not have seen the chigger itself. Chiggers live in grassy areas and woodlands and are common in gardens, berry patches, and backyards as well.

Chiggers are most active during the summer. Once temperatures drop below sixty degrees Fahrenheit, they are largely inactive and die at temperatures lower than forty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Chigger bites can affect anyone, and they usually appear as red, itchy welts. Since chiggers usually bite more than once, most patients will have several clusters of welts, and they may increase in size over several days or weeks. Occasionally, some areas may blister, and chigger bites may sometimes look like hives. The bites are most common on the armpits, ankles, groin, waist, and behind the knees. Chigger bites typically heal in one to three weeks.

Clean Skin With Soap And Water

As soon as a patient suspects or notices they have chigger bites, it is important to clean their skin with soap and water. This first step is essential to remove any remaining chiggers from the skin and minimize infection risk. Since chiggers do not burrow into the skin, washing the area with warm, soapy water and a towel will be enough to physically remove any chiggers from the body.

Patients should cover the entire affected area with soapy water for a few minutes before rinsing it off and drying with a towel. This should be repeated at least once to remove all of the chiggers. If patients are in a location without access to water or soap, rubbing the area with a clean towel or cloth is usually sufficient to remove remaining chiggers for the time being.

Wash Clothes And Towels

Patients should thoroughly wash clothes and towels that may have come into contact with chiggers or chigger bites to minimize the risk of spreading the infection. Ideally, a patient who notices new chigger bites should change out of the clothes they are wearing and put on new clothes as soon as possible. This is particularly important for patients who may have left articles of clothing outside in grassy areas where chiggers may live, as they can easily hide in clothing and towels.

Any towels or other materials used to wash affected areas should also be washed as well. Ideally, clothing and towels that have come into contact with chiggers should be washed in the washing machine with hot water and a high-quality detergent. Clothing and towels should be washed separately and not mixed with any other laundry items. Patients may wish to dry their clothes and towels in the dryer after washing to kill off remaining bacteria.