How to Treat Chigger Bites

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Chiggers are tiny mites that attach themselves to humans who walk through infested vegetation. Most chigger bites occur in thin-skinned areas of the body like the ankles, waist, groin, armpits, and backs of knees. Although many people believe that chiggers remain under the skin inside the bite, this is, fortunately, a myth! If you have a chigger bite, you can relieve your symptoms at home. In rare cases, you may need medical treatment. If you're unsure if you have chigger bites, there are ways to recognize them.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Relieving Symptoms at Home

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  1. Take a cold shower the moment that you realize you have a chigger bite. A cold shower may sound unpleasant, but it can help reduce the inflammation caused by chigger bites. This helps relieve itching! Scrub your body with soap to remove any additional chiggers, as well as any digestive enzymes from a bite that may linger on the surface of your skin. [1]
    • Repeat your lathering and rinsing routine a few times. This will help kill most of the attached chiggers.
    • If you don't want to take a shower, you could instead take a cold bath or apply a cold compress , though this is not as effective for removing chiggers or digestive enzymes. If you take a bath, you can add a few scoops of colloidal oatmeal to help ease your itching.
  2. You can buy 1% hydrocortisone cream over-the-counter. Dab the cream on the bite only, not the surrounding skin. Use as little cream as possible. [2]
    • Ask your doctor before using hydrocortisone cream on a child under the age of 12 or if you're pregnant or nursing.
    • You can reapply the cream every 4-6 hours, as needed. [3]
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  3. Use calamine lotion as an alternative to hydrocortisone cream. Calamine lotion can also relieve itching from chigger bites. Shake the lotion bottle, then apply a dollop of lotion to a cotton pad. Dab the lotion onto your bite, and allow it to dry before putting clothing on over the affected area.
    • Talk to your doctor before using calamine lotion on children under the age of 12 or if you're pregnant or nursing.
    • You can reapply calamine lotion every 4 hours, as needed.
  4. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an excellent choice, but you can also choose a non-drowsy option like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin). This will reduce your body's reaction to the chigger bite, which can relieve itching and swelling. [4]
    • Talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine, especially if you're taking other medications.
    • Follow all dosage instructions on the packaging. Keep in mind that some antihistamines can be taken every 4 hours, while others are taken once a day.
    • When taking an antihistamine, you may experience drowsiness.
  5. Camphor oil is easy to find in your local drugstore. You can even use Vicks Vaporub, as camphor is the active ingredient! Simply dab it onto your bites to relieve the itching. If you have sensitive skin, though, camphor may irritate it. If that's the case, it may be best to stick with another remedy. [5]
    • You can reapply it several times a day, as needed.
  6. Soak in an oatmeal bath to reduce itching. Add 1 cup (85 g) of ground rolled oats or colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath. Soak for 15 minutes, then rinse off your skin. [6]
    • Do not bathe longer than 15 minutes or take more than 1 oatmeal bath a day, as this can dry out your skin. Dry skin will increase the itching.
    • You can find colloidal oatmeal for bathing at your local drug store or online. Alternatively, you could grind up old-fashioned rolled oats to use in your bath.
  7. Baking soda is another alternative for itch relief. Pour the baking soda into a clean bowl. Then pour a small amount of water onto it, stirring to form a thick paste. Add more baking soda or water as needed to reach a paste consistency. Apply the paste to your bites and allow it to dry before washing it off. [7]
    • You don't need to measure the baking soda. All that matters is that you have enough paste to cover your bites.
  8. The aspirin may reduce your pain, itching, and swelling. However, it must be wet to work.
    • You can also grind up the aspirin and add a bit of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your bites and let it dry before washing it off.
  9. Scratching the bite can break the skin, potentially causing an infection. Not only that, it won't relieve your itching!
    • Trim your fingernails closely if you're struggling to stop scratching the bite.
    • You can paint over your bite with clear nail polish or school glue to prevent you from scratching.
    • If you do break the skin, then apply an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection.
  10. Wash the clothes you were wearing in hot water. The chiggers may also still be in your clothes, which could result in more bites! As soon as you know you encountered chiggers, wash your clothes in hot water and detergent. This will kill the chiggers and minimize the chances of them spreading. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Seeking Medical Treatment

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  1. It's normal for the itch to worsen in the day or 2 after the bite occurs, but it should start to improve by day 3. If symptoms do not improve or you notice additional swelling, pain, or pus, then it's best to see a doctor. [9]
    • In some cases, your doctor may be able to give you steroid shots to treat extreme itching and swelling.
  2. Chigger bites rarely become infected, but they sometimes do. Usually an infection results from scratching the bites, which can break the skin. If this happens, the doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. Symptoms to watch out for include: [10]
    • Fever
    • Flu-like symptoms
    • Swollen glands
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Pus
    • Pain
  3. If the chiggers bit you in your groin area, you may have swelling and itching around your penis. You may also have trouble relieving yourself. If this happens, you need to see your doctor. [11]
    • The doctor can help relieve your symptoms and prevent complications.
    • This condition can last for a few days to a few weeks, so it's best to get treatment as soon as possible for the best outcome.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Recognizing Chigger Bites

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  1. You may experience itching before you even know you've been bitten. This is because the bite won't appear on your skin for a few hours. Scratching is often the first indication that you've suffered a bite. [12]
    • With chiggers, the worst itching occurs about 1-2 days after the bite.
  2. The welt could be flat or raised. Sometimes you may develop a pustule or blister, but this is not always the case. [13]
  3. It's easy to mistake chigger bites for a rash or skin condition because they'll often appear in a cluster. [14] However, this is normal with chigger bites, especially after spending extended time outdoors.
  4. Most chigger bites occur after you encounter a cluster of chigger larvae, which need to attach to a host. Unfortunately, humans make great hosts! These tiny pests are common in grassy areas or near waterways. They are most prevalent in late spring through early fall.
  5. Unfortunately, chiggers like to bite in the groin area because the skin is easier to bite. In some cases, this can cause “summer penile syndrome,” which results in itching, swelling, and trouble peeing. [15]
    • Symptoms can last for a few days to a few weeks.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Will chiggers go away by themselves?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    If you don’t wash the chiggers off, they will continue to be present on your skin and cause intense itching. Therefore, it is important to remove chiggers by washing skin with soap and scrubbing the skin surface. Then apply calamine or hydrocortisone lotion with the goal to prevent itching and skin irritation to avoid potential skin irritation and infection. Taking Benadryl will further help with the itching relief. It may take a couple of days for symptoms to improve. Remember to wash all your clothes to prevent re-infestation.
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      Tips

      • Spray non-toxic, skin-friendly bug spray around your ankles, waistband, or any tight area to keep chiggers away.
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      • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are exploring an area that may be inhabited by chiggers. Keep the cuffs fastened tightly, and consider tucking the hem of your pants into your socks.
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      • Chiggers do not stay under your skin after a bite! This is a myth. Avoid treatments like using nail polish, bleach, alcohol, or turpentine on the bite to suffocate the chigger, as these will only further irritate your skin.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Resist the urge to scratch the bites, even though it's hard. Scratching can break your skin and lead to infection. Clip nails short or cover bites with clear nail polish to avoid scratching. See a doctor if you notice signs of infection.
      • Take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to reduce itching and swelling from the bites. Antihistamines calm your body's reaction. Follow the dosage instructions on the package closely, and remember that it might make you drowsy.
      • Try using calamine lotion as an alternative to hydrocortisone. Just shake up the bottle, put some on a cotton ball, and gently dab it onto the bites. Let it dry before you get dressed.
      • Add a cup of colloidal oatmeal or plain rolled oats to bathwater and soak for 15 minutes to soothe itchy skin. The oatmeal helps take down irritation. Rinse off when you're done.
      • Place a wet aspirin tablet directly against each bite and hold for a few minutes to reduce pain, itching, and swelling. Make sure the aspirin is wet or make a paste with it.
      • Dab on some 1% hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching. Only use a tiny bit on each bite. Reapply every 4-6 hours if the itching persists.
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      Warnings

      • If you have a case of severe chigger dermatitis, a strong allergic reaction to a bite, or signs of infection around the bite, visit your doctor.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/cg/chigger-bite.html
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23267-chigger-bites
      3. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/cdi/hydrocortisone-cream-gel-ointment-and-solution.html
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23267-chigger-bites
      5. ↑ https://www.aocd.org/page/Chiggers
      6. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/cg/chigger-bite.html
      7. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bites-and-stings-insects
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23267-chigger-bites
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23267-chigger-bites
      1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
      6. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24272-summer-penile-syndrome

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To treat chigger bites, start by taking a cold shower and washing your body, which will alleviate itching and remove any leftover chiggers. If the itching persists, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to your bites. Let the paste fully dry before washing it off. You can also try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine or soaking in a warm bath with 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal. Remember to wash the clothes you were wearing with hot water in case there are still chiggers on them. To learn how to tell if you need to see a doctor for your bites, scroll down!

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