Chigger bites are fairly common all across North America, and are caused by the larvae of common harvest mites. These can be found in any area with greenery, especially those with a good supply of water, such as lawns, parks, and gardens. The larvae are almost invisible to the human eye, being less than a millimeter in size, and often you may not even realize it when a chigger perches on your exposed skin. It then injects an enzyme that dissolves tiny amounts of skin tissue and forms a tube-like structure. An average chigger will use this tube to feed on the tissue until it is full, which can take up to 3 hours. If you disturb the chigger during this time, it will most likely fall off and perish.
Fortunately, chigger bites are fairly harmless and are not known to carry any infectious diseases. You will experience some mild swelling, itchiness, and discomfort when your skin reacts to the chigger’s enzyme and begins to heal. In most cases, a chigger bite heals by itself in around two weeks. However, some people can develop secondary bacterial infections if they scratch the area due to the itchiness. Another complication can be in individuals with allergic sensitivity. If your symptoms do not reduce after two weeks, you should visit your doctor, who may need to prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.
At home, you can try several natural treatments that can reduce the itchiness and swelling. The first thing to do is wash well; this will dislodge any chiggers that may still be present. It is also a good idea to immediately launder your outdoor clothes. Next you need to sooth the affected area. A cold compress, such as a plastic bag of ice, works wonders in providing instant relief from the discomfort. You can even create a protective layer over the bite with a paste of baking soda and water; this will allow the area to heal and reduces the swelling. Many people find that the cooling nature of aloe vera gel soothes the irritation, while its antibacterial properties help to prevent any potential secondary infections. Another popular remedy is to dab the bitten area with a cotton swab that has been soaked in tea tree oil, which has proven antimicrobial and healing properties. This will also help avoid any chance of minor scarring in the bitten area. For the duration of the healing process, wear comfortable clothes that do not irritate the area; this can delay the healing process.