People’s Pharmacy | Multiple strategies to prevent chigger bites

Q. You’ve written about treating chigger bites, but you should really think about prevention. We live in the country. When I’m going to be walking in tall grass and weeds, I wear my snake boots which I’ve sprayed with Sawyer’s permethrin. It’s available at Walmart in the camping aisle. You can also spray your pants with it – but not while you’re wearing them! This will last through several washes.

Before going outside, I spray myself with a picaridin repellent – Repel Tick Defense (not DEET).

If I’ve been doing yard work, I’ll take a shower as soon as I come inside. I think the soap and water rinse the chiggers away. Also, I throw my clothes in the washer with hot water before heading to the shower.

A. Wearing permethrin-treated clothing and picaridin repellent can be effective against ticks and mosquitoes as well as chiggers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective. Your idea of showering as soon as you come in the house is excellent as well. In addition to washing off the chiggers, it gives you a precious opportunity to check for ticks and remove them immediately.

If you do end up with bites, a dab of liquid bandage or clear nail polish may help control the itch. A severe allergic reaction might call for a potent topical steroid such as clobetasol. How much better to prevent the bites in the first place!

Q. When I first started having thyroid problems, my doctor prescribed the regular regimen of Synthroid. It did not help; in fact, the symptoms got worse.

He then changed me to Armour Thyroid. Overnight, it seemed, the problem was solved.

I have been taking Armour Thyroid for 45 years now. At 81, I feel great, not constantly tired, cold and constipated as I was back then.

A. Thanks for your testimonial. Many other readers have also found that Armour Thyroid, a desiccated thyroid extract, can be helpful when synthetic levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid) is not. Perhaps this is because the extract from the thyroid gland contains additional hormones beyond levothyroxine (T4).

Although many people with underactive thyroid glands do fine on Synthroid or other levothyroxine-only treatment, a substantial minority do not. Some doctors now consider adding the active hormone T3 (liothyronine) to T4 if patients feel better with that combination (Clinical Endocrinology, July 2025).

You can learn more about Synthroid, Armour Thyroid and other treatments for hypothyroidism in our eGuide to Thyroid Hormones. This online resource may be found under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

Q. You wrote that some people take quercetin to manage allergies. Where do you find quercetin? What foods provide it? Or do you have to take a supplement?

A. Many foods contain quercetin, a flavonoid compound. However, to get reliable levels, most people take it as a supplement when they are treating allergy symptoms. A review of the scientific literature notes that this natural product can dampen allergic reactions and relieve symptoms (Nutrients, April 27, 2025). The authors conclude: “Quercetin has emerged as a promising natural compound with significant potential in managing allergic diseases, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties.”

Onions, apples and kale are super sources of quercetin. Berries, capers and cabbage-family vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts are also rich in this component.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. In their column, they answer letters from readers. Write to them via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com. Their newest book is Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them (Crown).

This story was originally published June 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM with the headline "People’s Pharmacy | Multiple strategies to prevent chigger bites."