What's the deal with chiggers?

Question

So I just moved to a wooded area on the U.S. east coast, lately I have been getting all these nasty little bites all over my body. Mostly around my ankles and arms. I am sure they are not mosquitos, and everybody is saying they are "chigger" bites. The bites itch something fierce and seem to last forever. This is my first experience with these little pests. What can I do to treat and prevent this?

Answer 1

Chiggers or red bugs as they're know down here in the South are a drag and hard to avoid. Some people are more sensitive to them than others. They don't make me itch, but my husband itches really bad if he gets into them.

Here's some info about them and how to treat the bites:

Answer 2

Chiggers are extremely small, and the eggs they lay burrow under the skin and cause long-term irritation - much worse than a mosquito, but not as dangerous.
The only thing I have REALLY found effective is to wear protective clothing.
You can try insect sprays, but honestly, I haven't had much luck with those. Flies, mosquitoes and chiggers seem to LOVE me after I spray it on me.
For the itch, use some Calamine Lotion, maybe eat an over the counter Benadryl. Try not to scratch. It makes them burrow deeper.
Get a long pair of light pants for the summer and wrap a rubber band around your ankles, or wear your socks on TOP of the pants. Ok, so it looks funky, but beats all the itching.
Wear a long-sleeve shirt.
Eating lots of Garlic has proven to discourage some of the flying pests. Can't hurt, helps your blood circulation and digestion, too.

Answer 3

Treatment depends on the type of reaction. If there is only redness and pain at the site of the bite, application of ice is adequate treatment. Clean the area with soap and water to remove contaminated particles left behind by some insects (such as mosquitoes). These particles may further contaminate the wound if not removed. Refrain from scratching because this may cause the skin to break down and an infection to form.

You may treat itching at the site of the bite with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in cream or pill form. Calamine lotion also helps relieve the itching.

Answer 4

Chiggers do not burrow under the skin, but their bite can cause intense itching. They prefer to get under clothing where it is tight against the body, such as beltline or stocking bands.

Apply an insect repellant before going on the lawn or into the woods.

Answer 5

Chiggers are a little insect that dosen't bite really, but kind of tears its way under your skin, leaving a little bit of a bump. don't bother scratching it or anything, it won't work. put clear nail polish over the spot that you see a bump, within a couple days it'll die and disapeer.

Answer 6

Yea, It's awful...They sell Chigger medicine at the local drug store, but you can try putting clear Nail polish over the bump. The chigger will suffocate and die. It works!

Answer 7

chiggers are tiny bugs(mites) that burrow under the skin to feed. They do cause itching and the best way to get rid of them is to cut tthe flow of air off. on the red spots I've used clear nail polish to get rid of them.

Answer 8

o i got those when my WHOLE CLASS went into this forest for science n every1 got em...there little bugs that lay eggs in ur skin n then they hatch n lay more in ur skin!!! EW! but wat REALLY helps no joke is clear nail polish u put it directly onto ur chigger bites and do that every day till there gone!!! there nasty i h8 them! but clear nail polish suffocates em n kill em...yah gross-ish i kno

Answer 9

bug spray. with deet.