Some damn mosquito bit my on my ankle last night. It's now swollen and itchy as fudge. Anyone got any tips of how to take care of it as insect creams aren't working.
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Mosquito Bite!!
- Thread starter BreakGuy
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Tried benadryl in cream? i've never used anything tho, too many mosquitos down here, you just get used to it :S
Don't know if it's still available, but when I was a kid cammomile lotion was what my Mom used to use.
We lived out of NYC on LI, and I used to get bitten to pieces.
We lived out of NYC on LI, and I used to get bitten to pieces.
Commiserations. I feel your pain. As it happens, they love me and I hate them - a most unfortunate combination. Mosquitoes bite many people but only some (of us) get the violent allergic reaction which you describe.
Personally, I use tea tree oil (neat) on the swollen, hot, itchy bite sites. I also use citronella to deter them; a charming English (ethical, organic) company named Alfresco make a wonderful (natural) cream which deters the airborne horrors. These days, I never travel anywhere without it.
Cheers
Personally, I use tea tree oil (neat) on the swollen, hot, itchy bite sites. I also use citronella to deter them; a charming English (ethical, organic) company named Alfresco make a wonderful (natural) cream which deters the airborne horrors. These days, I never travel anywhere without it.
Cheers
The red spots on my skin are only just recovering after a couple of days where I just had to do that little bit extra outside before it got too dark. This was a week and a half ago. I counted about 10-12 bites...that I could see.
Some nights I try sheer willpower to not scratch. And it works until I scratch one...then they all cry for attention.
Some nights I try sheer willpower to not scratch. And it works until I scratch one...then they all cry for attention.
antihistamines will help reduce the swelling and should help with the itching as well. But the stuff others have mentioned should help too.
Yes - antihistamines are a good way to go. They'll just stop the bite from itching; it'll heal quickly enough without steroid cream.
Try "After Bite - The Itch Remover". It's a pen type thingy. Works great for me. Can be obtained in drug store OTC.
Edit: Ooops, just noticed you're an out of towner. It's an ammonia preparation. On the package, says it's distributed by:
Tender Corp
Box 290
Littleton, NH.03561
I haven't Googled it yet. If I find it online, I will update this post.
Edit2:
You can Google it locally, I'm sure. Here is a US site;
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/afterbite-original-itch-eraser/ID=prod393335-product
Edit: Ooops, just noticed you're an out of towner. It's an ammonia preparation. On the package, says it's distributed by:
Tender Corp
Box 290
Littleton, NH.03561
I haven't Googled it yet. If I find it online, I will update this post.
Edit2:
You can Google it locally, I'm sure. Here is a US site;
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/afterbite-original-itch-eraser/ID=prod393335-product
Last edited:
Run hot water over it for a few minutes.
Not hot enough to scald, but hot enough so that it's uncomfortable.
Not hot enough to scald, but hot enough so that it's uncomfortable.
Have you ever had the misfortune to suffer from an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite? If so, you would know that this is not what happens. Allergic reactions (and antihistamines are a good idea, but you may need a doctor's prescription in oder to obtain them) can lead to big, nasty, swollen, hard, hot and itchy bite sites. Physically, you cannot pop them.
My Sweetheart says that toothpaste on the bite will help it heal. It's an old home remedy from Sydney, NSW.
For various reasons, the *first* mosquito bite you get each season will invariably be the itchiest, most uncomfortable one you encounter all year.
Don't scratch it. I know this seems like impossible to take advice, but nothing good will come of it.
The best treatment will be to take one of the over-the-counter antihistamines. I like Claritin (apparently known as Claratyne in Kiwiland) Unlike other OTC antihistamines, it won't make you drowsy of sluggish, but do avoid drinking heavily. Try a topical hydrocortisol-based anti-itch ointment and reapply frequently as needed.
Don't scratch it. I know this seems like impossible to take advice, but nothing good will come of it.
The best treatment will be to take one of the over-the-counter antihistamines. I like Claritin (apparently known as Claratyne in Kiwiland) Unlike other OTC antihistamines, it won't make you drowsy of sluggish, but do avoid drinking heavily. Try a topical hydrocortisol-based anti-itch ointment and reapply frequently as needed.
I've had great results with this remedy. The first time I tried it, it was like a miracle cure.
BTW, I usually don't to product plugs, but ThermaCELL is the best thing I've ever used to keep mosquitoes away.
I never had great results with the various creams and remedies, though I've tried them all at some point or another while I've been out in the woods. When I'm at home I find the most relief from strapping an ice cube to the bite and letting it go completely numb.
It works.
I've been bitten by a LOT of mosquitos of many different types in many different countries; I have access to and have used high potency corticosteroids such as betamethasone on mosquito bites.
None of them work nearly as well as just plain hot, near (but not quite) scalding hot water for five minutes.
I've been putting ice on the bite. It eases the itchiness and heat for a while.
Again tonight I've been nearly eaten alive by what looks like the entire mosquito community. Was told to apply vinegar to the bites. So far that's taken the itchiness out.
Get a friend to suck out the poison.
Depending on the location, this may require a VERY good friend.
Depending on the location, this may require a VERY good friend.
Fortunately I wasn't strolling around with my pants down so thankfully for them it's not required.
Just a follow up to the vinegar solution, I'm surprised how good it works. I was bitten about 5 or 6 times on my upper arm. I applied the vinegar and within an hour or two there's no sign I was bitten at all, as well as no itchiness or heat irritation.