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[Handyman]

What is the recommended treatment for chigger bites?
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[noctem]

anti-itch pen, or nail polish remover
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[Doc Rob]

This is from the 'Chiggers' Thread of May 2006:


What you are describing is classic chigger bites. Yep, they itch like a sumgun, and there isn't a whole lot you can do about them.

The business of putting clear nail polish on them is an old wives tale: The thought is that the chiggers have burrowed into the skin and the nail polish covers over their breathing apparatus and they die. Nope, doesn't work that way.

Chiggers actually attach to the skin, inject enzymes to dissolve tissue, feed, then drop off. The reaction you get is from the digestive enzymes they inject. Some folks react worse than other (like me...it gets ugly). The vast majority of the time, the chigger has fed and dropped off before you realize you've been bitten.

The best after-bite treatment is to use a ultra-high potency steroid ointment (Temovate is the one I use). Unfortunately, it's Rx only so you have to see the Doctor. If the itching is real bad you can try some over-the-counter diphenhydramine (generic for Benadryl), but be careful, it makes people very sleepy.

I've seen some folks so badly bit by these things that I've had to put them on large doses of oral steroids for a few days. It's nasty.

Best treatment is prevention: A multi-layer defense is best. Treat your outer clothing with permethrin spray (follow the instructions carefully, don't put this stuff directly on the skin, on your socks or on hats). Use a DEET-containing bug repellent on the skin around the tops of your socks and your waist.

I treat all my paintball BDU's with Permethrin a couple of times a year. If properly applied, it will last through 6 washings. Great stuff, keeps the chiggers, ticks and mosquitoes off!


There really isn't a whole lot you can do for chigger bites with over-the-counter medications. As I mentioned above, using diphenhydramine (Benadryl or a generic version of it) can help with the itching. Over-the-counter steroid creams aren't going to do much good, they aren't powerful enough to knock down the reaction.

I'm planning on coming out to the field this weekend, I'll bring some of the strong steroid ointment with me.