Chiggers!!! (mover, home, buy)

[Kimnjasonx3]

My hb went hunting this past weekend for the first time since living down here. And, wouldn't you know, he must have walked into the home of millions of chiggers. He came home with hundreds of bites on his legs! This happened Saturday - he was up most of the night itching his legs last night I was told about the chiggers at work yesterday; that is what makes me believe he was attached by them.

What is the most common way of relieving this itch?? I was told bleach water?? At this point, he will do anything (so will I so I can get some sleep tonight!!)

Any ideas are greatly appreciated -

[mom2three]

Originally Posted by Kimnjasonx3

My hb went hunting this past weekend for the first time since living down here. And, wouldn't you know, he must have walked into the home of millions of chiggers. He came home with hundreds of bites on his legs! This happened Saturday - he was up most of the night itching his legs last night I was told about the chiggers at work yesterday; that is what makes me believe he was attached by them.

What is the most common way of relieving this itch?? I was told bleach water?? At this point, he will do anything (so will I so I can get some sleep tonight!!)

Any ideas are greatly appreciated -

Hi Kim. So sorry to hear about your hubby I have heard about chiggers! I heard nail polish remover or clear nail polish helps. Google it and see what you come up with. Also search this site, I know there was some talk about it. Good luck...

[Kimnjasonx3]

We heard about the nail polish but it is his entire two legs. i don't think I could buy enough nail polish to completely cover both legs

It is really bad! I am chuckling - not sure what to do for the poor guy!

[tarva29]

Go to the drugstore (I know CVS carries it) and get some Chigger-Rid. It is a cream, comes in a little jar. I had a horrible case last summer, was wearing shorts, t-shirt and shoes & socks and anywhere I had clothes on, I had chiggers!! I tried soaking in a tub of bleach water, nail polish, nothing worked but Chigger-Rid! Good luck!

[Kimnjasonx3]

Thank you - will be picking some up after work tonight.

[TNkudzu]

I hate chiggers. Unfortunately it is hard to get away from them if you like the outdoors and gardening. We tried many remedies most do not work.

We use 2 products that seem to help.

First-On Medicated Anti Itch stick and

After Bite the Itch Eraser

As a last resort the only thing helps me is a very hot cloth put on the bite.
I take a washcloth make it wet, put it in the microwave on a plate and heat it for about 20-30 seconds. It must be hot but not so hot that it burns.
Gently touch the bites with it for a second or two. It gives me relieve for up to 8 hours. It may not work for everyone but it works for me. Try not to burn yourself.

[rickers]

Don't insect repellents work on those things ? We don't have them where I live, are they worse than flea bites ? I had no Idea chiggers were that bothersome. I lived in North Carolina for 9 months and never got bit, but I wasn't there for the summer. Are they like bedbugs or something ?

[Kimnjasonx3]

Jason had an 'insect repellent type thing' that he carried. It worked wonders for mosquitos, but not the 'chiggers'. His skin was covered with clothing; apparently they can go through the clothes?? His socks were pulled over the bottom of his pant legs and he had boots on. He also had a shirt tucked in with another long sleeve shirt over that.

My other question is if chiggers bother animals. We have a dog and cat that are both treated with Frontline.

[TNkudzu]

Chiggers are only active when the soil temperature is above 60F. A good repellent sprayed on your boots and clothing works. They are in the ground and on low vegetation. The season will be over as soon as the temperature goes down.

Chiggers

Chiggers

[mad fiddler]

I'm allergic to the bites, so for some of us the itch can last for weeks and weeks -- literally.

Benadryl gel works really well, and because it's a gel you don't actually have to touch -- and irritate -- the bites.

Other than that, only time seems to work. Very hot baths/showers can knock the itching back for a couple of hours, too.

By the time you notice the itch, the chiggers have already done their damage. Since most people itch for only a day or two, it can seem like nail polish is working, but it's just the life cycle of the chigger.

(Oddly, I'm totally immune to poison ivy.)