Q: Chiggers are brutal here in South Carolina in the summertime. I’ve tried tons of home remedies without much success.

Last year, you ran a letter from a man who said that lavender essential oil worked for him, so I tried it. It works! One tiny drop on the bite stops the itch, then I reapply for any remaining redness over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Sulfur powder from a garden center helps repel them, but beware: When I sprinkled it on my shoes, socks and lower legs and then walked in wet grass, it ate my leather work boots into holes and ruined the pant material. It’s also hazardous to breathe, so caution is necessary when applying or around pets.

A: Thank you for the words of wisdom. Lavender essential oil has anti- inflammatory activity when applied to itchy skin (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, March 18, 2018). Others may find it helpful against chigger bite itches.

We have heard from many readers using sulfur powder on their socks and shoes to discourage chiggers. Thanks for the warning to stay out of wet grass and avoid breathing the powder.

Q: My wise family doctor in our hometown in Texas began testing my Lp(a) in the early 2000s. It was around 21. My other lipids were off, so he prescribed a combination statin with niacin (Simcor). They eventually stopped making that medication.

We moved and I didn’t have my Lp(a) levels tested again until recently. It was 121! I couldn’t believe it.

I’ve been taking simvastatin for years. All my other lipid numbers are good. I’m perplexed about my high Lp(a) level. What will bring it back down?

A: Lipoprotein (a), abbreviated Lp(a), is an important risk factor for heart disease. This particle contains both LDL cholesterol and a sticky protein that helps Lp(a) form artery-clogging plaque.

Unfortunately, statin drugs that lower cholesterol do not reduce Lp(a) levels. They may even raise it (BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, Nov. 8, 2022). That may explain why your Lp(a) went so high on simvastatin alone. Levels above 50 mg/dL increase the risk for serious cardiovascular problems.

The pharmaceutical industry is now developing drugs to manage Lp(a) levels. In the meantime, some dietary supplements have a modest effect. Niacin and L- carnitine bring this blood lipid down. A healthful low-carb diet can also reduce this risk (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2022).

Q: I have a question about the gin-raisin remedy for arthritis. If tart cherries also help ease joint pain, would it work to soak dried tart cherries in gin instead of raisins?

I’m not in the habit of drinking fruit juice, so I often forget to drink the tart cherry juice I buy. I’ve found it easier to eat dried cherries. Would soaking them in gin up the ante?

A: You raise an intriguing idea. Although there are no studies of gin-soaked raisins for arthritis, scientists have studied tart cherries. Several trials show that tart cherries or cherry juice can reduce inflammation from gout (Arthritis Research & Therapy, Sept. 7, 2023).

A review found that tart cherries ease inflammation broadly (Ageing Research Reviews, March 2021). There is no research on gin-soaked cherries, but it might be worth trying.

Other nondrug approaches against inflammation include Knox Gelatine, pineapple, turmeric, ginger, stinging nettle and Certo and grape juice. Such remedies are less risky than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.

If you try gin-soaked tart cherries, let us know the outcome. Reports from our readers are how we learn about new strategies for treating arthritis.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www.peoplespharmacy.com.