Tips For Treating Bothersome Chigger Bites

Health & Medical Blog

Chiggers might be small, but their bites cause big itches! These bites generally look like large, red welts. They become itchy for a day or two after you are bitten. Most people can't resist the urge to scratch them, which puts them at risk for a secondary bacterial infection. So, what do you do if you're bitten by chiggers? Here are some key tips to follow.

Apply over-the-counter antihistamines ASAP.

As soon as you realize you've been bitten by chiggers, apply an over-the-counter antihistamine cream. Be generous and allow the cream to absorb into the skin fully before covering the skin with any clothing. The antihistamines help counter your body's reactions to the proteins introduced by the chiggers. This alone won't prevent your chigger bites from becoming itchy and irritated, but it should minimize the amount of itching you experience going forward.

See your doctor for a prescription.

If you only have one or two chigger bites and they seem to be responding well to the OTC antihistamines, you may not need to see a doctor. However, if you have multiple chigger bites, which is common, it's best to see your doctor. They can prescribe a stronger cream that will do a better job of easing the itchiness. This is important for more than your peace of mind; it's important to keep you from scratching. If you apply the prescription cream regularly, then it should keep the symptoms under enough control that you're able to keep your hands off the bites. This prevents infection and scarring in the long run.

Keep the area exposed to air.

If at all possible, keep the bitten area exposed to air as much as you can. Definitely expose it and let it dry after you apply the prescription cream. If the bites are on an arm and a leg, consider wearing clothing that leaves the area exposed all day. While you may feel a little self-conscious about someone looking at the chigger bites, the airflow will help dry out the skin, prevent infection, and encourage faster healing. Plus, you won't have to worry about clothing getting covered in your prescription chigger cream.

The tips above can go a long way towards treating your chigger bites. Above all else, make sure you take action quickly. If you apply treatment as soon as you realize you've been bitten, the results will be better. 

For more information, contact a local company like Bug Bash Ointment.

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5 October 2022

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