soothe the itching with a gnat bite

scooper

i have got loads of gnat bites on my ankles and they are really really itchy, i have never had them so bad, it is waking me up at night >:(, does anyone know of a way to help with the annoying itching?any help appreciated ;D

System

I have the answer to your prayer.

A couple of months ago, whilst working in the garden, I was bitten about eight times on the legs (I was wearing shorts). I didn't really pay attention to the itches till bedtime when they became aggresive. By morning I had raised red area's. I went to boots to see what was available, thinking calamine would be the only thing there.

The thing I bought I refer to as a zapper. It is plastic, about 1 1/2" long and is a lipstick in shape. A black button is at one end. You place the zapper on the bite and press the button. Something very briefly pierces the skin. I did it twice to each bite. Within no time at all, the bites were no trouble.

Since then, I have been bitten again, and it worked again. There are about 2000 zaps to each thing.

scooper

brilliant, thanks island man i really appreciate that advice, i will go first thing and get one.i have noticed that the bloomin things dont start itching till night time as well!!
thanks again ;D

divadee

I am sure cathy once mentioned white vinegar (like she always does) put a dab of it on the bite and it takes the itching right away.

have a look at This thread for some tips

Nile

Hello itchy Scooper

I use Anthisan cream for insect bites, it works for me.  Buy it from any chemist.

Prevention is better than cure, can you avoid being bitten by wearing long trousers and socks to protect your skin?  

Or

Have you tried Avon Skin-So-Soft moisturising dry oil body spray in Meadow fragrance?  It's very effective against midges and insect bites. The Avon ref code for this product is 26450 and it costs ~£5.

System

Glad you welcomed my recommendation. What I forgot to say is that I also bought a spray which is supposed to deter insects that bite, and I give myself a quick "once-over" before gardening now. Plus, now it is cooler, my nether regions are now covered a bit more.

1jim

try hydrocortisone cream from pharmacist, you could also use an antihistamine tablet, check with your pharmacist to make sure you are ok to use these

jackie_parish

Can't remember where i heard this from but, as a quick solution, toothpaste on a bite eases itching. It workd for me.

Jackie

divadee

I bought some great cream in america for bites (not much help for you i know) but not only do we think americans can be stupid, their only medical profession must think so too. I went and asked for some anti-histimine cream the pharmacist looked amazed that i knew terms like that ??? and then said 'over here its called anti-itch' and thats what i got a big tube of cream called 'anti-itch' does exactly what it says on the tube ;D

Greenstuff_2

Sorry to be gross but in an emergency if you put your own saliva on it works.
Also works on stinging nettles etc.
Basically you produce histamine to a bite and anti histamine is concentrated in your saliva so it counteracts it.
Promise, cross my heart really works.

Other than that, Witch hazel is cheap and non toxic, takes the swelling down and stops itching as does Aloe Vera, cut a bit of a plant (v cheap to buy, almost impossible to kill, evey home should have one) and put the sticky sap on, again it's non toxic, brilliant for burns too.