Things You'll Need:
- Mosquito repellent or powdered sulphur (to prevent chiggers)
- Soap
- Antiseptic
- Over-the-counter local anesthetics containing benzocaine or hydrocortisone
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Step 1
Prevent chigger bites using simple, preventive measures. Wear socks and shoes when you go outside and wear clothing that covers vulnerable parts of the body--chiggers tend to gravitate to ankles, the backs of the knees and area around the groin and waistband. Tuck the hem of your pants into your shoes if necessary. The Missouri Department of Conservation advises you to apply regular mosquito repellent or dust your socks and shoes with sulphur powder to make yourself less attractive to hungry chiggers.
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Step 2
Remove clothing immediately when you come in from the outdoors. Clothing, as well as towels and blankets that were spread on the ground, should be laundered in warm, soapy water as soon as possible.
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Step 3
Take a warm bath right after you've been outside. Use plenty of soap. If there are any chiggers still on your body, this will get rid of them. You can also wipe yourself down with a damp washcloth. An antiseptic can be applied to the skin to prevent possible infection.
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Step 4
Apply an over-the-counter topical to chigger bites. Look for products that contain benzocaine or hydrocortisone or creams and ointments used to prevent itching due to poison ivy. These may not stop itching entirely, but you may get some temporary relief.
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Step 5
Don't scratch that itch. This is easier said than done, as chigger bites typically itch the most one to two days after you've been bitten. Chigger bites are not considered harmful. However, if you scratch the bites assiduously, your skin can become infected.
