A hot water shower, a home-made spray, castor oil, aloe vera, baking soda scrub, salt on the wound, apply ice, olive oil, oatmeal, baby oil and cornstarch are some of the home remedies for treating chigger bites in children.
What are chiggers?
Chiggers are the extremely tiny larvae of the Arachnid family of the kingdom Aniamalia. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘red bugs’. These chiggers are so tiny that you cannot see them with your naked eye and require a magnifying glass. Moreover, you cannot even feel the chigger attaching itself on your skin and sucking your blood, but you will however feel that area to be extremely itchy.
Chiggers live in tall grass, weeds, berry patches and woody areas. They are most active during the times when the environment is warm.
Read More: How to Treat Bed Bug Bites in Children
What do chigger bites look like?
The larvae of the chigger choose warm, moist areas of the body. Chiggers attach to your skin via its claws. It then attaches its mouth on your skin and injects saliva. This saliva contains an enzyme that would break the skin cells. It is after this that the chiggers’ larvae suck your blood.
Chiggers usually fall off after four days of attaching. When they fall off you notice reddish bumps with a bright red spot in the centre. These bumps may look like welts, blisters, pimples, or hives.
11 Natural Home Remedies for Chigger Bites in Children
Many a times, treatment to various bites, ailments, and health problems are available in our own homes, all you need is a little direction. Here are a few home remedies for treating chigger bites:
A hot water shower
As soon as you suspect that you have chiggers on your skin by noticing the red bumps, immediately jump into the shower. It will be better to use a soap and scrub and hot water to scrub your skin.
This is quite beneficial as high temperatures i.e. temperature of more than 420C kills the chiggers. Also a shower with scrubbing helps to remove the chiggers on your skin and prevent from any further chigger bites.
A home-made spray
Itching due to the chigger bites is a nuisance. A good and effective method of relief from this incessant itching is to prepare a salt water and a herbal tea spray. You can prepare a chamomile tea and add few tablespoons of natural salt. Then spray it on the affected area to provide you with a calming and cooling sensation over the itch.
Castor oil
Castor oil can also help provide you with some relief regarding the itch. You can dab small amounts of castor oil on the bumps. It may not be as effective as ohers but it does provide some relief.
Aloe vera
Aloe Vera, the saviour in almost all the cases does come to your rescue even this time. Mix a quarter cup of fresh aloe vera gel with a drop of peppermint essential oil. Rub this over the skin to soothe your itch.
Baking soda scrub
Make a paste of equal parts of baking soda and water and rub it on the skin. Leave it for a few seconds before washing it off in the shower. The baking soda scrub can be used shortly after exposure and even after the itching sets in.
One thing to be warned of this baking soda scrub is that it stings a lot but it really is very efficient in stopping the itch and providing you enough relief to at least sleep the night instead of staying up all night itching.
Salt on the wound
You can mix some salt in the vapo – rub (a petroleum product available in the market) and rub it on the wound. This too similar to the baking soda scrub stings but is effective in relieving from the itch.
Apply ice
You can use an ice pack to place it over the itch to provide you immediate relief from the itch.
Olive oil
You can mix some olive oil and tea tree oil and then apply it on the affected area.
It is one of the best home remedies for treating chigger bites.
Oatmeal
You can make use of your leftover oatmeal that you cooked for your breakfast by rubbing it over the affected part of the skin. It is quite effective in neutralizing the allergy caused by the chigger bites.
Baby oil
Clean the affected area and then rub baby oil over it to provide you relief from the inflammation and irritation.
Cornstarch
Put some cornstarch in your bath water and soak your affected part in it for some time. You can also soak in Epsom salt water. This helps to reduce the soreness.
Precautions to be taken against chigger bites
Now that you know that chiggers usually reside in woody areas, on tall grass, etc. you can take certain precautions to avoid chigger bites.
- Avoid brushing up against the vegetation when you are in a woody area that maybe chigger – infested.
- When on a hiking trail, try to walk in the centre and not on the sides.
- Wear long sleeved shirts and full length pants that can be tucked in your socks or shoes.
- Use a tick repellent or insect repellent.
- Shower immediately as you go indoors.
- Wash your clothes in hot water as the chiggers cannot survive for a temperature of more than 420
Conclusion
Chigger bites are due to the larvae of chiggers and are also called as red bugs. These larvae thrive well in warm environments and when your skin is exposed to them in woody areas they attach to your skin to drink your blood.
Chigger bites on the skin appear as red bumps and can be seen as blisters, pimples, or hives. There are certain home remedies that can be followed to provide effective treatment from chigger bites. These include a hot water bath, baking soda scrub, aloe vera gel, olive oil, herbal tea, castor oil, oatmeal, salt in vaporub and few others. You can also take certain precautionary steps against chigger bites by avoiding touching the vegetation when on a hiking trail, wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants, using a tick or insect repellent, etc.
References
https://wellnessmama.com/127162/chigger-bite-remedies/
https://www.healthline.com/health/chigger-bites#treatment
https://www.healthline.com/health/chigger-bites#treatment
