Chigger cures?

[Cove Rebel]

Since I picked up a few of my invisible friends at the Battle of Atlanta and have been contemplating skinning myself or making myself a double-amputee, I thought I'd ask what the old timers may have used to sooth the itch back in CW times? Kerosene?

[Mint Julep]

fingernails.

[Cove Rebel]

Dang don't I know it. I look like I've been attacked by Edward Scissor Hands!

[Spinster]

Witch Hazel was available and seems to work well.

But on a modern note: 2 cups of bleach in the bath water. Soak for awhile. Provided relief for the poor Yankees we allowed to bled dry at Brice's earlier this year.

[gwagner]

Hydrocortizone, and Bendaryl. And don't scratch...fingernails contain all sorts of nasty bacteria.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5087046_ho...-chiggers.html

[cjdaley]

My kid just came back from WWII camp covered in chiggers. While I've always used clear nail polish in the past, I found this site to be much more helpful and the itching was gone in a few hours:

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/derma...6_chiggers.htm

[Bitter_Bierce]

Like ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, chiggers have specialized mouthparts that help them retrieve food from their hosts. A chigger uses two specialized mouthparts called chelicerae to make a hole in its host's skin. It then injects some of its saliva into the wound. The saliva contains digestive enzymes that break down cell walls. The partially digested cells and their contents become a slurry that the chigger ingests.

Unlike many other parasitic bugs, chiggers don't have needlelike, piercing mouthparts. Instead, they use an interesting accomplice -- the host's own skin. The same salivary secretions that break down cells also cause the surrounding tissue to harden. This creates a strawlike tube called a stylostome. The longer the chigger feeds, the longer the stylostome becomes, and the deeper it penetrates into the skin.

The intense itching that chigger bites cause comes from two sources. One is an allergic reaction to the chiggers' saliva. In some people, this reaction is extreme, leading to large sores or hives. In most, it simply causes a small, red, itchy bump. The other source of itching is the stylostome itself. It causes irritation and discomfort until the body's immune and lymphatic systems dissolve it and carry it away. If the chigger fed for a long time and the stylostome extends deep into the skin, this process can take quite a while.

Many home remedies for chigger bites, like painting the bite with nail polish, involve the idea of smothering an embedded chigger. But by the time you notice the bite, you've often brushed or scratched away the chigger already. The reason nail polish makes some people's bites feel better is that it seals the bite from air. Over-the-counter creams that relieve itching often do a better job of making the bites feel better. It's also a good idea to apply an antiseptic, especially if you've scratched the bite extensively -- too much scratching can lead to a secondary infection. If you're bitten, don't be tempted to try home remedies involving toxic substances, and don't try to remove the stylostome -- either could cause secondary infections or other injuries.

In a lot of ways, preventing chigger bites is easier than treating them. We'll look at how to keep chiggers off your skin in the next section.

Preventing Chigger Bites

Chiggers are almost invisible to the naked eye, so it may seem like there's not much you can do to keep from being bitten. But several simple steps can make it a lot less likely that you'll become a chigger host:

Wear long sleeves and long pants made of tightly woven fabric. This will provide a physical barrier that can help keep chiggers off your body. It's also a good idea to tuck your pants into your boots so there's no exposed skin.

Use an insect repellent. Many experts recommend repellents containing the chemical DEET. Others suggest using sulfur, although it can have a strong odor. Regardless of which repellent you choose, be sure to follow the instructions precisely. Some repellents can be used only on clothing or have to be reapplied after a certain amount of time. Never use flea collars to try to repel chiggers or any other pest -- the chemicals in flea collars can burn or irritate human skin.

Stay on marked trails and away from tall weeds, brush and heavy undergrowth. (Impossible for reenactors).

Shower thoroughly after entering any areas that might be infested. Lather your body with soap several times, and rinse thoroughly. Since chiggers can wander around for hours, a prompt shower may wash them all away before they do any harm. (Nearly impossible for reenactors).

Wash any clothing you've worn in chigger-infested areas in hot, soapy water. The hot water and soap will kill the chiggers, but they can survive cold- or warm-water washes. (Wash my uniform? No way!)

[reddcorp]

Cove man:

Caladryl lotion liberally applied and oatmeal baths work somewhat.

Yeah, the chigger bites from Brice's Crossroads were just about healed when those Georgia chiggers attacked. They already had their targets marked.

Anyone got any idea why the good Lord created these critters? What purpose in life do they fulfill, save tormenting humankind? One of life's mysteries.

I'll be glad to see some cold weather reenacting.

A.Redd

[johnduffer]

While not a remedy - garlic pils for a couple of weeks before an event will ward them off. I've used this at LBL and gone bite free while comrades were nearly killed.

[DulcimerPlayer]

For those that want to be truly authentic:

Home Repellants
The most effective repellent for chiggers is sulfur. Chiggers hate the smell of sulfur, and avoid areas where it has been placed. You can purchase powdered sulfur at most pharmacies. Dust it on the cuffs of your clothing, socks and shoes to repel chiggers. If you are walking in the woods, you can mix up a body powder of half sulfur, half talcum powder and rub it over your legs, arms and waist. You can also put it in a pillowcase and drag it over your lawn to chigger-proof the area for children who may be playing there. Since some people are allergic to sulfur, several natural plants including mountain mint pennyroyal and camphor are also effective. However, pregnant women should never use oil of pennyroyal.

You make a sulfer dusting bag out of a old sock or handkerchief, fill with sulfter and pull into a tight wad, dust the tops of boots, shoes, pants legs.