Arghhhhh!! CHIGGERS!!!!!!!!!

[MsBagawkbagawk]

So this week I stayed at a friends so that I could help her vaccinate her cows and tag calves. Well, I had to push the cows through an open pasture, for about a 1/4 mile. Walking the whole way. Besides some allergies I was feeling fine, surprisingly no ticks. Well, I took a shower and went to bed at 10 so I could wake up early again. I woke up about 4 scratching my legs, thighs, crotch, and pretty much anywhere that was touched by tight clothing. I took some Benadryl and was in a drugged haze for the rest of the day (not a good thing when you are in a pen with 32 cows and their calves). I bought some Calamine lotion since that was all they had at the local grocery store, and later I got some Chigarid.

I think I am dying, or at least I wish I was. 20 bites on each leg, 3 on each foot, 4 in my armpits, 30 in other areas. That is a total of 60 bites, give or take a few. Please any tips. I have showered 2 since I noticed the bites, so I think the chiggers are gone, but every night I notice more, even though we have no chiggers at our house (Thank you chickens!).

Anything that might help would be appreciated. Even if it is un-conventional, like nail polish on the bites. I am going to go take another shower now.

 

[teach1rusl]

Oh how I feel your pain!!! DH and I still refer to the summer of 2010 as The Summer of Chigger. I did some field work and fell asleep in my clothes that night (not intentionally...lol). Like you, I awoke to terrible itching. I literally had hundreds of chigger bites! I actually did count them, and had over 500 pustules, most of which were on my legs.

I should have gone to the doctor for steroids or something, because I was pretty sick for the first two days. I looked like a leper, so would only wear loose, long pants, and you could see the bumps through my pants - like cottage cheese.

I took oatmeal baths and epsom salt baths (both can help you feel better temporarily). I applied calamine(?) lotion and clear nail polish. Try the baths and see if it helps. Feel better soon!

 

[ChickPrincess]

Ice it for 10 seconds or so per bite, move on to the next bite... make a second round if they still itch. I use those little plastic ice cubes. They come in so handy for more than just margaritas! LOL
To prevent the bites, there is an oil called Neem oil. It smells nasty but it does the job and does it well. All natural, safe and effective. Check out discoverneem.com or neemtreefarms.com. I have ordered from the latter and have been very pleased. Neem oil can NOT be taken internally, but there is also neem extract, neem leaf and neem bark available which are safe to use on animals, since they lick.
Farmers have used neem for a long time as a safe insecticide.
HTH! I feel for you!

 

[LadyinRed]

Get some witch hazel. It is a miracle worker with all things itchy.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I wish I could take a bath, but we don't have a tub. I did use some Aveeno oatmeal bath stuff on them and that helped. I stopped the Chigarid because it burns so much, but Calamine lotion is nice. I'll try the ice cubes and get some witch hazel spray from my friend (she runs a health food, aromatherapy supply, co-op, bookstore shop).

I did wash really well with Vitabath, and that helped keep the itchiness at bay for a day. Thanks for the tips, but I still want to know why the bites seem to double everyday, and is it true that they burrow under your skin?

teach1rusl, Jeez, 500 bites! I thought I had it rough!