Little ‘red bugs’ leave lasting itch

Dear Dr. Roach: My wife does a lot of container gardening. I am continually being bitten by chiggers. I have been using an over-thecounter anti-itch cream that helps soothe the bites, but it doesn’t eliminate the symptoms. — J.F.K.

Never having lived in the South, I don’t know a lot about chiggers — scientifically, Trombiculidae larvae, the little “red bugs” that are arachnid mites, not insects.

However, I have read that the bites are extremely itchy. If over-the-counter anti-itch creams like calamine or menthol don’t help, the next step in treatment is with topical steroids.

Prevention is probably your best bet. Keeping away from chiggers is best; if that’s not possible, wear protective clothing and wash yourself vigorously with soap and water after possible exposure. A chemical repellant such as DEET may be of value as well.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have found a home remedy for poison ivy and poison oak. As an avid gardener, I get poison ivy once or twice a year. I used a liquid detergent with a degreaser. I put a small amount on my arm, rubbed it down my arm and added water to wash it off. I have tried different detergent degreasers over the past several months, and any one will work. It makes sense, because poison ivy and oak have urushiol oil, and of course a degreaser would dissolve it and wash it away. I hope you can pass this on! — F.C.

I appreciate your writing, and I agree with your take on the issue. Poison oak, ivy and sumac all have the same irritating oil, urushiol.

The most important advice on these poisonous plants is not to get exposed in the first place. That means removing it if it’s in your yard, and knowing how to recognize and avoid it. Protective clothing is essential if you must be near it.