Insect bite help please!

Stan_Here

I tried all sorts of stuff to put on bites but nothing was really effective - I am just one of those people who get eaten. A randon poll in Thailand showed that people who liked Marmite didnt get bitten! There seems to be some stuff around that says that Vit B works, but I couldnt eat Marmite - Yuck.

To go to Thailand I bought the strong repelland for skin 50% of some chemical or other, and around 100% of the same stuff to spray on clothes. I ended up spraying the 100% stuff on my skin (not recommended) and still got bitten but obviously not as much as not using the stuff. The only thing that helped was my clicker which allowed bites to clear up withing 5 days whilst unclicked ones were still itching and not clearing in 3+ weeks. I'm not saying everyone will have the same success but for a fiver its worth a try. I offered the clicker to another sufferer I was travelling with and when I clicked, she did, and it worked for her. Left it with her when I departed for which she was very grateful (as was her very large boyfriend, by the way, so dont read anything into that).

Although it wont stop you being bitten you could try googling the Vit B thing and if you like Marmite then great, but if not, maybe some Vit Supplements, and see if that helps. No idea if there's any known reason why this might help but as Vit supplements are not medical "advice", if you are suffering badly it wont harm you, although you should check this out and certainly not take more than any recommended amount. Also check it out with your Doc to be sure.

jenniewb

I've had OTT bites before- I went out running and despite wearing long leggings, came home to no less then about 30-50 bites per calf!

I did at the time try Eurax which had worked before (so worth a try) but it didn't help because the itching was just too bad and then read up online to see if anyone else had any suggestions.

I found a site that suggested ammonia (!!) diluted could help, that freaked me out too much to try but did find a product which Boots, Tesco and Superdrug sold, called anitbite or something like that, its basicly diluted ammonia (something like 0.8%) in a pen form, the tip is foam and you click at the top of the pen and dab on the bite. It was about £4 and this was about 2 years ago.

It worked really well, took a few days for it to totally go but did go very fast and without much if any itching and I didn't get any white spots or bleaching of my skin, it also didn't make my skin peel or flake at all.

room512

I always find Eurax helps

baby_frogmella

Personally i find rubbing toothpaste over the bite stops the itching immediately. One of the best discoveries i've made over the years!

I_wanna_live_for_free

Apply a TCP solution immediately you're aware of the bite. Take an anti-histamine tablet or [superdrug sell] a hayfever/allergy tablet and don't scratch if possible.

I've heard of the marmite suggestion but have never tried it. Not liking Marmite may have something to do with that!

If you're going to be sitting out for a while citronella candles are pretty effective and smother yourself in insect repellent.

Wellyboots6

Right, marmite on toast for breakfast then!!

I have cut my fingernails really short this morning as I must have been scratching in the night

Might try covering them in toothpaste tonight, may stop me scratching in my sleep.

I am assuming it is mosquitoes, but what do flea bites look like?!

aliasojo

We had a bbq in the garden yesterday and I was sat outside happily reading my Kindle, relaxing and eating corn on the cob. All was well as I thought.

This morning I woke up to 10 bites on my right foot alone! I have scratched one so much that I've pretty much ripped my skin off and I look like I've been stabbed with the amount of blood that's dripping now. Scratching feels so good and so bad at the same time. I'm a grown woman, I know not to but it's just sooooo good.

Am about to head out to go visit Boots now and buy everything on their shelves for insect bites!

Wellyboots6

I know what you mean, once I start scratching I can't stop it feels that good!

And there is me telling the dog off for scratching when his skin problems flare up, and I am sat there happily tearing myself to pieces!

elmer

I was bitten horribly on Wed and scratched so much all day at work on Thursday that my foot swelled up.

My friend told me about the wet cloth, and it was like a miracle, they dont itch at all with the cloth on.

Its even better if you freeze it, so I wore a cloth round my foot all day on Friday and the swelling has gone.

I shall definately be using this all summer, I might try the toothpaste for night time as the cloth did wet the end of my bed, but it was worth it for a nights sleep.

elmer x

building_with_lego

Neat lavender oil helps reduce the itching, and also helps repel some of the flying beasties. I too have sweet, tasty blood but this is great!