Home Remedies Chigger Bites

Chigger bites happen to nearly everyone at some time in their life, especially if you enjoy outdoor activities. Chiggers are tiny bugs, that inject a substance called stylostome into human skin. Stylostome destroys the tissue, which they then feed on if undisturbed. Fortunately, that rarely happens since it begins to itch and commonly we scratch it and it is removed from its position. Contrary to popular thought, chiggers never burrow under a person's skin, they simply rest on top of it like mosquitoes, feeding through their tube. Because of this fact, there is no need to attempt to suffocate or kill the insects with bleach or alcohol. Home remedies need to focus on ridding yourself of the intense itching and blisters that can result from the bites. To do this, try oral antihistamines like Benadryl, and topical preparations like calamine lotion or corticosteroid creams. These will calm the skin and alleviate itching and inflammation. Many people also swear by Preparation H for swelling reduction and lukewarm oatmeal baths also for extra skin soothing.