Chigger Bites!

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« WellTellMe • Forum • Remedies & Therapies • About the Body • Skin, Hair & Scalp • Chigger Bites! »

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Chigger Bites!
« on: June 14, 2006, 07:35:09 PM » by Caroline

This is the second summer in a row that I've had this happen. I get these chigger bites and I don't get just one or two, it's like I've walked right through a nest of them. What's worse is that they flair up very quickly, even though I am very careful not to scratch them. At the moment, the ones around my ankles burn, and they are so full of fluid that they look like little bio-sphere domes. Last year I would just drain the fluid from them using a needle, but somehow they got blood in them and became very infected. When it finally healed, it left a scar. These aren't there yet, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advise how I should treat these things, both now and when they first appear. Thank-you.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2006, 07:36:37 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Caroline on June 14, 2006, 07:35:09 PM

Check the bugs thread CLICK HERE. Also, I just put some Tea Tree oil on my daughter the other day and she remarked that it helped. It also made a quarter size bite dwindle to about dime size overnight.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2006, 09:53:25 AM » by Sanya

My three year old has two chigger bites on the lips of her vagina. What can I use on such a tender spot. She had one that took forever to heal...mostly because she scratched so much. Which led to skin irritation. God just took care of that b/c I don't know what we did other than Benedryl creme that could have been very effective. Well, now the red bugs have gotten her again (right behind the other one finally drying up Angry

). She has irritated the skin in two different spots from scratching. It is so hard on both of us. I want her to stop scratching so they can heal, but I know they itch like crazy! Any tried and tested remedies out there, PLEASE. Cry

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2006, 10:30:22 AM » by Pennie

have you tried witchhazel? I would just put some on a peice of cotton and put it in her panties on the spots. It should help with the itch and promote healing of the sore ones. ?

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2006, 12:44:20 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Sanya on June 19, 2006, 09:53:25 AM

I'm not sure what would be safe for itching. If it were me, I'd probably try Lanacain or Cortizone creams. Tea tree oil might work, but it can burn regular skin, so it might be too harsh for such a tender area, but I would recommend you trim her nails as short as possible and make sure her hands stay as clean as possible to prevent staph infection.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2006, 01:25:59 PM » by sarahmontgomery

I have been using a recipe I found on the 7xsunday.net site. And it has worked for runny noses, boo boos, and insect bites. Its great, when anything happens, we go get the Goot! Heres the post:

In our home, we use a concoction called GOOT. It uses 3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. In addition to the anti-infective/anti-fungal/anti-parasite properties of the garlic, the coconut oil is also anti-microbial. I combine these using a wand-type hand mixer. Blend at slow speed, then at hight for two minutes. Pour the mixture through a screen to remove chunks of garlic that the blender may have missed (I skip this step). Pour into a wide-mouthed jar and label and store for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. After an hour in the refrigerator, it turns into a thick, soft paste.

I always take this with me when traveling -- especially camping! Insect bites and rashes literally disappear when GOOT is applied. Rubbed into the skin, GOOT transfers raw garlic oil directly into the blood stream. Apply to the feet of children or infants to fight infections. Rub on chest for chest colds, pneumonia or rub into nostrils for sinus infections. Applied to the nostrils will help clear congestion. Apply directly to sores inside the mouth. Rub on Athlete's foot or genital area for jock itch. Can be inserted as needed for yeast or other related infections. Place on cotton swab for ear infections. GOOT kills Candida, parasites, bad bacteria and virus by direct application. Systemic infections can be treated by absorption through the skin into the blood supply, traveling throughout the body.

Once you try this stuff, you'll never want to be without it.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2006, 03:33:57 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: sarahmontgomery on June 19, 2006, 01:25:59 PM

In our home, we use a concoction called GOOT. It uses 3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

Can I use cheap coconut oil or does it have to be the virgin pressed stuff?

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2006, 05:51:56 PM » by amazonmama2five

Hi Guys!
If you don't strain the garlic chunks out and one gets next to a tender area of skin, it will burn. Garlic is very potent. This sounds like a wonderful recipe and I am going to make some up right away. Thank you sarahmontgomery!
Lisa

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2006, 10:03:11 AM » by Sanya

The area has become inflamed. It is hard, swollen and red. She doesn't want me to touch it. She says it tickles, but she cries even when just applying creams. (I'm not sure if she understands the difference btwn hurt and tickles...maybe it's a little numb.) She ran a very low grade fever last evening. I gave her benedryl and garlic orally. I applied the cortizone cream (alcohol and antiseptic, very carefully) yesterday and last night...she slept with hubbie and me to keep her from scratching. (We are both running on very little sleep.) I just mixed up the Goot and applied it. She is very happy and isn't complaining of the itch quite as much. I'm not sure if I should take her to the Doc...I'm not sure that they'll do anything differently than give here another antibiotic (would garlic orally work just as well?) Any more advice?...thanks for all of your help. God bless you!!

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2006, 10:12:53 AM » by Pennie

Well, since she is running a little fever you could do colloidol silver instead of taking her in and end up having to give her anitbiotics. Poor little thing. I hope she gets well soon.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2006, 11:23:57 AM » by Sanya

Quote from: Pennie on June 20, 2006, 10:12:53 AM

Well, since she is running a little fever you could do colloidol silver instead of taking her in and end up having to give her anitbiotics. Poor little thing. I hope she gets well soon.

I don't have any. I'm going to google how to make it...we live 30 min. from town. Maybe I have the ingredients at home. I'm also asking Gabe...he posted that he knew how under another topic. Thanks so much to all of you for your help.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2006, 11:36:10 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Sanya on June 20, 2006, 11:23:57 AM

I'm going to google how to make it...we live 30 min. from town. Maybe I have the ingredients at home. I'm also asking Gabe...he posted that he knew how under another topic. Thanks so much to all of you for your help.

CLICK HERE for Gabe's take on making you're own.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2006, 11:43:39 AM » by Sanya

Quote from: healthybratt on June 20, 2006, 11:36:10 AM

Quote from: Sanya on June 20, 2006, 11:23:57 AM

CLICK HERE for Gabe's take on making you're own.

Oh, wow, Thanks, HB!! I don't know why I couldn't find it?!? Embarrassed

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2006, 09:25:49 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: sarahmontgomery on June 19, 2006, 01:25:59 PM

In our home, we use a concoction called GOOT. It uses 3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

Do you think I could use my chopped frozen garlic or do you suppose it's one of those, must be freshly chopped things for it to work.

GABE?? You seem to be the expert on this one.

« Last Edit: June 23, 2006, 11:27:59 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2006, 12:17:14 AM » by 5 Sojourners

O.K., this may be a lame question, but...what's a chigger? Huh

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #15 on: June 24, 2006, 07:24:26 AM » by Kansas Girl

It is a little bug that burrows into the skin leaving a red, itchy, raised area on the skin similar to a mosquito bite. Very uncomfortable and annoying Tongue

-KG

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #16 on: June 24, 2006, 11:06:24 PM » by Kari

I'm dealing with the same issue--chigger bites all over, including scrotum on the toddlers. Tea Tree oil undiluted has helped alot on all of us in the family. I also tried a bath w/ 1/2 cup clorox bleach added for the adults with success.

As for prevention we took the advice of old timers and broadcasted SULPHUR from the gardening store all over the yard (about $5 a package, maybe it was 2#s? we spread 4 packages over 1 acre). The results have been great and within 24 hours no chigger bites and its been 3 weeks, has rained, and still no bites.

Other old timers remember their mama's putting sulphur powder in a sock, tying it up and beating it against the children's ankles before potential exposure. My grandmother did the same, but mixed the sulphur with body powder and applied to legs.

Lastly, my neighbors who have chiggers use the "Vinegar of the Four Thieves" as bug spray on their children and do not get bitten when they use it. See http://www.bulkherbstore.com/articles/vinegar-four-thieves?id=ydgR2fbi

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #17 on: June 25, 2006, 08:26:11 PM » by Sanya

Hi all,

I'm sorry to say, but I wimped out...well, my hubbie thought it would be best if I took our three year old to the doc and get the antibiotics. I was trying the GOOT, garlic internally, antiseptic topically, etc, but after she started getting fever and the knot on her bottom kept getting bigger...we went to the doctor. Tomorrow will be her last day of antibiotics and almost all the fluid has drained. She's very happy that her bottom isn't "big anymore" (her quote). The fever stopped the day after we started the antibiotics. But our three year old has learned a valuable lesson...She is very careful not to scratch nearly as much or hard and to let me know when she has a itchie.

Thank you all for your helpful advice...It is so wonderful to have a community of people that you can depend on to give timely advice, support, encouragement, and acceptance. Thank you all for being YOU!

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #18 on: June 25, 2006, 09:19:23 PM » by Pennie

Quote from: Sanya on June 25, 2006, 08:26:11 PM

You didn't wimp out, you just did what was best for your baby.

Just don't forget to give her some probitics to get that good flora back. Glad she is feeling better!! Grin

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #19 on: June 26, 2006, 11:01:53 AM » by Sanya

Quote from: Pennie on June 25, 2006, 09:19:23 PM

You didn't wimp out, you just did what was best for your baby.

Just don't forget to give her some probitics to get that good flora back. Glad she is feeling better!! Grin

Thanksfor the encouraging words.

Do you all think that 1/4 - 1/3 cup of kefir (from grains and raw whole milk) 3x a day will give her enough probiotics? (Yes, I'm trying to find the least expensive method, but still effective.) We've been doing this since she started the antibiotics. We've also cut out all sugar (except some raw fruit) during the week and VERY limited on the weekend...in an effort to keep the bad bacteria from sprouting up in the now stripped environment in her tummy.

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #20 on: July 18, 2006, 11:24:04 AM » by Sanya

Well,we are still getting the swollen spots on her vagina and around her anus, now...these are not chigger bites anymore, but I saw the first one go from a chigger bite to an abscess. The first round of antibiotics didn't work. Yes, one heals after draining and more pop up down there. We've tried some of everything: activated charcoal, goldenseal, myrrh, garlic internal and external, kefir internal and external, epsom salt, oatmeal, and chamomile baths, prescription bacterial creams, over the counter creams, and on and on. I took her to the doc again yesterday. The doc says it is a bacterial abscess in her hair follicles, now. He couldn't believe she wasn't in pain and feverish after all this time...I guess those remedies did work some, but not enough to take it completely out after such a long time without treatment. He gave her a sulphur based antibiotic, Sulfatrim. I was really leery of giving it to her, since the first five days of antibiotics (a weaker kind) didn't solve the problem. We just started the epsom salts baths (3X/day) the day before yesterday and we've already noticed the increased rate of drainage (before giving her the Sulfatrim)...so hopefully this will be over soon. I found a similar problem at http://welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,821.0.html...it was encouraging to hear how someone else dealt with this. So now I'll give her plenty of kefir to replace good gut bacteria, give her the Sulfatrim and be encouraged in Jesus' name. I'll let you know how this comes out.

« Last Edit: July 18, 2006, 11:29:36 AM by Sanya »
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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #21 on: July 18, 2006, 11:46:34 AM » by visionarymom

Don't know for sure , but maybe you could try tea tree oil for quicker results. Probably dilute in a bit of olive oil for such a tender area. But it seems to work for everything I try it on...just a thought. Huh

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #22 on: August 02, 2006, 10:24:44 AM » by westernmama

I didn't know if I should suggest this, since it probably is not very good for you. But I have only had chiggers about 2-3 times in my life - although about 50 bites at a time. Someone told me to put just a tiny drop of fingernail polish over the red dot. It suffocates the chigger within about 24 hours, I think. It did seem to get rid of them faster. But I hesitate even suggesting it because I know your skin will absorb some of that fingernail polish as well. Just a thought . . . but you have my sympathy, those things are horrible!

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #23 on: June 06, 2007, 11:11:25 AM » by freshisbest

We've never seen them before, but it looks like the 2 tiny, almost scab-like spots on dd's neck on Friday ( she went fishing with her brothers at a nearby lake...kinda woodsy area) have turned into chiggers? We tried to ' scrape' them off thinking they were ticks, scabs, but they felt smooth to the finger. By Monday we noticed they had " fallen off" because we couldn't see naything there but a faint red mark. By this moring she has an angry , red, almost blistery rash developing on her neck and another spot on her chin. I dabbed it with Tea Tree Oil ... she was scratching....a freind put on a dab of hydrocortisone cream around 9 am when we were at her house for Bible Study....if it IS chiggers, do I just keep dabbing stuff on and eventually they go away? I'm a little concerned because its so close to her face. I have GOOT here too....any thoughts?

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #24 on: August 13, 2008, 08:57:49 PM » by naturalgirl

A few more ideas I don't believe seeing here are bentonite clay and baking soda. The clay helps the fastest...I've tried it recently. In my experience, it helped quite a bit but not totally. You mix eather one up into a paste (could add tea tree oil in it or apply afterwards), and apply. Make sure the spot is undisturbed until paste dries. Scrape off.

I haven't tried it, but for larger cases, it may be better to apply this poultice:

Find plantain leaves. Heat up some water in a pan until you can barely stand to touch it. Place the plantain in a stainless steel pan or bowl and pour water over just enough to cover. Let sit until leaves are limp. Have some bandaging materials ready like gauze, and a towel. If you have it, put Eden salve over multiple/ sore / infected bites. Carefully place moist but not dripping leaves over top. Wrap in gauze/ bandaging. Keep a towel or some other heavier bandaging over the top to keep it warm. Keep poultice and bandaging on until cool or for around 30 minutes before repeating, if necessary.

This is known not only for taking out poison and forgin material, but also for rebuilding wounded areas.

Are your older chigger bites still itching a bit? Try adding a bit of lavender powder to your next bath...it is soothing and so lovely!

« Last Edit: August 13, 2008, 09:08:41 PM by naturalgirl »
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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #25 on: August 14, 2008, 10:45:23 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Here's what I learned when I researched chiggers a while back:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question488.htm
Chiggers do not burrow under your skin, as many people believe, nor do they feed on animal blood. They actually feed on the fluids in skin cells. To get the fluids, they attach themselves to a skin pore or hair follicle and inject a digestive enzyme that ruptures the cells. The enzyme also hardens the surrounding skin tissue, forming a sort of straw for sucking the skin cell fluids. The whole process irritates the skin, causing an itchy red bump that continues to cause discomfort for several days. Chiggers are only about 1/50th of an inch (0.5 mm) in diameter and so are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This invisibility is the reason so many people believe chiggers burrow under the skin.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/dermatologytopics/a/06_chiggers.htm
But chiggers don't even really bite you in the traditional sense, like a mosquito does. Instead, they attach themselves to your skin, inject saliva with digestive enzymes that helps to break down your skin cells, which the chigger drinks. It is these enzymes that cause the itchy rash.

Although chiggers can stay attached to your skin for several days and continue eating, they are very easily brushed off and are usually knocked off once you begin to scratch the rash or take a shower or bath. That is why it can be a good idea to have your kids take a quick shower or bath after they have been playing outside in any type of 'wild' areas of your neighborhood. Another good reason is just so you can wash off any insect repellent that you had put on.

Myths About Chiggers
One of the biggest myths or misconceptions about chiggers is that they can burrow under your skin and drink your blood. This leads to the common treatment for chiggers of putting clear nail polish on chigger bites to suffocate the chiggers. Since chiggers don't actually burrow under your skin, this 'treatment' is unnecessary.

So...you're not really fighting microscopic red bugs that are burrowed under skin. You're just dealing with itching, and the infections that can come with well scratched bumps. I'd imagine that the risk of infection goes way up when the bites are around the bootie. Tongue

We love the plantain for itching and pain relief, and I would recommend plantain salve. You may just have to be extra vigilent at making sure she is clean after going to the bathroom, and keeping salve on the bumps to keep her from scratching. Grapefruitseed extract or Grape Seed Extract may be a good additions to the salve for infected bumps. HTH
-Gwen

« Last Edit: August 14, 2008, 03:20:09 PM by hi_itsgwen »
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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #26 on: August 14, 2008, 12:42:42 PM » by naturalgirl

Thanks for that great information, Gwen. That totally changed my perspective

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2008, 05:36:07 PM » by healthybratt

Here's a pic.

http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/graphicsfiles/Chigger-ilr.jpg

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #28 on: July 10, 2009, 05:34:45 AM » by T

Anyone tried soaking in DSS? I'm off to do that as soon as hubby wakes up so I don't disturb him by running a bath...I'm covered in chigger bites after picking wild blackberries yesterday in the neighborhood! I'll let you know if it works. My other thought was a bentonite clay bath. Any other suggestions?

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Re: Chigger Bites!
« Reply #29 on: July 10, 2009, 08:07:56 AM » by CountyCork

We live on a pond in MN and have major chigger bites.

Our best treatment is straight tea tree oil, or if the skin is broken we use Miracle Salve from Beeyoutiful. Both of these help with itching and healing.

They always bite in the worst places and make for embarassing scratching! Shocked