chiggers

Brooke&Phil

So when my husband told me my legs were bit up by chiggers, I thought this was a made up name.  This is the second time I've gotten them this summer and I finally realized chiggers are a real bug.

 Are they only in the midwest?  I swear we didn't have them in Pgh. 

 Also, how do you relieve the itch from chigger bites?  They are the worst!

morgan2004

OMG  those are the worst.  I had them once and thought I was going to go insane.  This is going to sound weird but it works.....put clear nail polish on them.  The chiggers actually burrow in your skin and the nail polish will suffocate them. 

jebarrs

Chiggers are just wood mites that live in old wood; they're pretty much everywhere, but they really like certain types of oak and pine that are found in the midwest. I ran across them a lot as a kid. Calamine lotion helps to soothe the itch, and pp's suggestion about clear nail polish is also great. Keep an eye on the bites and make sure that they don't spread or start to swell. If you feel them starting to get warm or notice that the redness is spreading in a puffy, pink rash on your skin, go to the doctor, as you may be allergic to them and will need antibiotics or other treatment.