To remove the insect, a sterile needle can be used after carrying out adequate skin antisepsis. However, this procedure should not be done at home, and it is recommended to see a doctor due to the risk of inflammation and infection.
The chigger is caused by a flea that is normally found in the soil. However, when in direct contact with the body, this flea can penetrate the skin and cause the appearance of a characteristic nodule with a black dot in the center. Understand better what a foot bug is.
Therefore, in the case of a foot bug, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or dermatologist for an evaluation. In addition to removing the insect, medications such as anti-allergy and antibiotics may be indicated, which should be used according to the doctor’s instructions.
How to take
The insect must be removed using a sterile needle after properly cleaning the skin where it is located, which can be done by applying 70% alcohol or chlorhexidine to the skin, for example. Therefore, it is recommended to see a general practitioner or dermatologist to safely remove the insect and avoid infection at the site.
Why not use tweezers or scissors at home
Objects such as tweezers, scissors, toothpicks, hairpins or sewing needles should not be used to remove the insect because they are not suitable instruments for this and are not sterile.
If the removal is carried out at home, the risk of the parasite breaking off and leaving remains or eggs in the skin is greater, which can cause inflammation and infections, which when severe, can cause necrotizing fasciitis, gangrene and sepsis, for example.
Furthermore, as these objects can also be used by other people on wounds, there is still a risk of transmitting diseases such as hepatitis B or HIV.
When to use medicine
Antiallergic medications may be indicated when there are symptoms such as itching or swelling. However, when the swelling is greater, sometimes the use of corticosteroids may also be indicated.
Furthermore, in case of suspicion or high risk of infection and after removing the insect, especially when pieces of the parasite still remain in the skin, the use of antibiotics in the form of ointments or tablets may be necessary.
Other ointments, such as ivermectin or thiabendazole, and antiparasitic medications, are normally not recommended as they are not proven to be effective in eliminating the insect. Therefore, it is important to always consult your doctor before using any medication.
Home treatment
Home treatment for chiggers, although it does not eliminate the parasite, can alleviate symptoms and prevent the development of an infection, and does not replace treatment recommended by a doctor. Home treatment must be carried out in 2 steps:
1. Wash your feet with vinegar and calendula
Calendula and vinegar have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and can be used to keep the skin clean and healthy.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers;
- 60 ml of vinegar;
- 100 ml of boiling water.
Preparation mode:
The calendula leaves must be added to a container of boiling water, which must be covered until the solution is lukewarm. Next, the solution must be poured into a basin that can fit the person’s feet and, finally, the vinegar must be added.
It is recommended to soak your feet in this mixture, 4 to 5 times a day, for approximately 20 minutes each time.
2. Apply propolis
The second step of the home treatment is to apply the propolis extract directly to the affected area and cover it with an adhesive plaster. Propolis extract helps disinfect wounds and accelerates the tissue regeneration process.
It is recommended that propolis is applied after washing the feet and repeated at least 4 times a day for about 3 days.
Bibliography
- ABRHA, Solomon et al. Treatment of tungiasis using a tea tree oil-based gel formulation: protocol for a randomised controlled proof-of-principle trial. BMJ. Vol.11, n.7. 2020
- WHO. Tungiasis. Disponível em: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tungiasis>. Acesso em 18 nov 2022
