Insects that go about their insect business go largely unnoticed until one of two things happens – either they invade your home or they bite you. The former requires strategic intervention and possibly an exterminator; The latter is far less severe, although the resulting itch and irritation can linger on you for days.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help ease bites that are bothering you. Check out some tried and true remedies.
1. Use hydrocortisone cream.
Bites itch and swell as the body releases histamine in response to insect saliva or venom being injected into your skin. Hydrocortisone is a steroid cream that relieves inflammation, reduces itching, and swelling. It is available without a prescription as a 1 percent solution. (Stronger prescription solutions are usually not needed for insect bites.) You can use it three times a day until the discomfort subsides.
2. Use ice.
Ice or a cold compress are effective at reducing the swelling that comes with an insect bite. Let the ice work for at least 20 minutes.
3. Use Benadryl.
The antihistamine can help reduce itching and swelling when taken orally or topically. If you apply it to the skin, don’t use it for more than seven days as it may eventually cause irritation.
4. Use calamine lotion.
Calamin lotion is a mixture of iron oxide and zinc oxide, antiseptics and astringents that relieve the discomfort of an insect bite and create a cooling effect on the skin. You may want to use it with a moisturizer as it can dry out the skin.
5. Apply constant pressure.
To instantly relieve the itching, try applying some sharp pressure to the bite with a fingernail or pen cap for about 10 seconds. Be careful not to injure the skin.
6. Stop scratching it.
This is less about reducing itching and more about preventing a secondary bacterial infection from irritating the bite area. Try to ignore the itchiness to keep the skin intact or use an antibiotic cream like Polysporin to prevent infection.
If the bite area becomes redder, more painful, or larger, see a doctor. The same applies if you are bitten or stung and experience shortness of breath or extensive swelling. This could indicate a more severe allergic reaction and you will need immediate medical attention.
[h/t Prevention]
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