Chiggers! Very Bad

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Marie Mallery, Sep 5, 2021.

  1. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    I've been itching to point of nausur for past week,no sleep much at all.Here is what the little buggers are and how to get them .

     
    #1
    Bobby Cole and Faye Fox like this.
  2. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2019
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    12,264
    Memories of chiggers are not good ones. I hope they have a better treatment than wetting the bite area and then applying sulfur. I once had them on my feet, legs, and above. They don't respect the private area and no trespass.:mad: Strange that a few days out of my life in East Texas and little things like chiggers have left me scarred with such vivid memories.
     
    #2
    Marie Mallery and Bobby Cole like this.
  3. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,672
    Likes Received:
    26,220
    Yeah, we get them too. Besides clothing, I use mosquito repellent (OFF) and it seems to do pretty well at preventing them from using me as a meal.

    As it is with mosquito bites, I hit the shower and use very hot water over the itchy areas and bang, no more itch.
     
    #3
    Marie Mallery likes this.
  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    25,491
    Likes Received:
    45,673
    I don't believe I've ever had that problem. Mosquitos annoy me but the effects of the bites (yeah, I know that they are not technically bites) don't last very long.
     
    #4
    Marie Mallery likes this.
  5. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    Last week I was weeding the hugelculture mound in shorts. I know bwtter but since I from the show me state I got my first experiance of CHIGGERS. I have used clear finger nail polish, cortizone,benysryl. nothinf last long but now that I know what I'm dealing with maybe I can get rid of them.
     
    #5
    John Brunner likes this.
  6. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    I just got out of the tub soaking in Epsom Salt then put Benedryl all over my dozens of bites.
     
    #6
    Bobby Cole and Faye Fox like this.
  7. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2019
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    12,264
    I wonder if nylon-spandex legging with nylon spandex socks would stop chiggers?
     
    #7
    Marie Mallery likes this.
  8. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    Lucky you they are no fun. I think they love hot humid .I know hubby got eat up by what they call 'no see ums' in the marsh fishing years ago.
     
    #8
    Bobby Cole likes this.
  9. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    25,491
    Likes Received:
    45,673
    Yeah, we don't have a lot of hot and humid here. I think what you call no see-ums might be what we call black flies, and I hate them.
     
    #9
  10. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    Not sure but I won't be in shorts in the garden area again without something on like sulfur powder we do have that for garden,
     
    #10
    Faye Fox likes this.
  11. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    I'm feeling better but that is usually short lived maybe this time it will be different now that I know what I'm dealing with.I threw the book at the things. Epsom salt,scrubbing roufgly in tub, Benedryl ,baking soda all over chair ,bed ans later nail polish.
     
    #11
  12. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,629
    @Ken Anderson

    [​IMG]

    Black Fly


    [​IMG]

    Deer Fly

    Both very nasty blood-suckers.

    Frank
     
    #12
    Marie Mallery and Ken Anderson like this.
  13. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Messages:
    11,097
    Likes Received:
    21,088
    There are several varieties of "No-see-ums" but they are all tiny, like gnats. Sometimes they're called midges.

    The bite doesn't bother me much, and it goes away soon, like mosquito bites. But they head for my ears, and will fly right into your ear. Some people are probably more allergic to them than others.

    This is what they look like in Georgia.

    upload_2021-9-5_23-59-51.png

    Chiggers are almost microscopic. You can't tell where they bite you at first, so I don't see how swabs would work. A hot shower as quickly as possible will work. Insect repellent works. In the old days people here would rub diesel fuel on themselves as a repellant. LOL
     
    #13
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2021
  14. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,248
    Likes Received:
    37,072
    I've not had chiggers in a long time. Our problem out here is ticks.

    Benadryl might help relieve the itch, and it can sometimes make you drowsy so you sleep better.

    The following is extracted from an article published on the Texas A&M Extension website:

    ******************************************************************​
    Chigger dermatitis can be extremely irritating and uncomfortable. A hot shower or bath, with scrubbing as described on page 2, can provide some relief if done early in the itching phase. Once a pustule (bump) has formed, do not scratch it, to avoid opening the bite to possible infection.

    Antihistamines such as oral Benadryl®, anti- itch creams (camphor and menthol, calamine or pramoxine), or hydrocortisone ointments give the best relief from the intense itching associated with chigger bites. It’s also a good idea to apply an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection, especially on bites that have been abraded by clothing or scratching.

    Commercial chigger-bite medications vary in effectiveness but often rely on numbing agents or sealants to prevent air from contacting a bite. Analgesics (pain relievers) also can provide relief from itching discomfort. Chronic scratching only causes further irritation and increases the risk of secondary infection.

    Individuals with severe cases of chigger dermatitis or hypersensitivity to chigger bites should consult their physicians.
    ******************************************************************​

    Here is a downloadable pdf of their entire article on prevention & treatment.
     
    #14
    Frank Sanoica and Marie Mallery like this.
  15. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    11,769
    Likes Received:
    11,289
    Rhanks eveeyone for help and I hope I have them under control now, only a couple are itching and its not so intense as before. Now mostly Benedryle and Corizone. .
     
    #15

Share This Page