The Itch of Chigger Bites

Where is it?

Over the last few days of stepping in tall grass, I developed an itching, burning collection of chigger bites. We have different ideas about the most effective product to relieve the itch of the little bites.

My grandmother treated chigger bites by dabbing the affected area with a cotton ball soaked with Watkins liniment.

I have followed her on the use of liniment and believed that the slight burning sensation meant it was working.

Liniment is denatured alcohol, camphor, sassafras (found in sassafras), capsicum (from chili peppers), and oil of spruce. It is that capsicum that is responsible for producing the “heat” in liniment.

Liniment works for me to relieve the itch of bug bites, but that is not what it was designed to relieve, and I’m not sure liniment relieves any condition it claims to relieve, nor ever has.

A part of my affection for Watkins products comes from the long history of Watkins products occupying space on my ancestors’ shelves.

It is prudent to wear a latex glove while applying it and avoid touching your eyes or tender places.

My grandmother favored Watkins spices and black pepper.

Kids in my family have bathed in blankets of bubbles from Watkins lavender bubble bath.

Families kept tins of Watkins salve to treat minor cuts, scrapes and minor burns.

It was similar to other salves made of turpentine, petroleum, paraffin and with some other stinky things.

There was Watkins horse salve that was often appropriated by their owners and a lotion to cure the itch on my grandmother’s little dog “Tojo.”

Decades ago Watkins sales were only from neighborhood distributors. Today that might be true in some areas, but products are also available on line, and don’t choke at the price.

Today the broader line of Watkins products leans away from patent medicines and more into their line of spices, extracts, food coloring and everything else including room “refreshers.”

There is a modern choice to treat the itch of chigger bites.

Hydrocortisone creams are available without prescription, and while they only contain one percent of hydrocortisone, that seems to be enough.

This cream doesn’t stink or burn. So, how do you know it works?

joenphillips@yahoo.com