# Bugs are EATING ME ALIVE -- and NOTHING stops the itching!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 3, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136 "2003-07-03T23:05:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/1 "2003-07-03T23:05:32Z")
I moved down here in January and knew that I’d be facing a bug problem, especially when it got warmer, though the bugs are a year-round problem. But DEAR GOD DO I ITCH. I have large hot, red, HELLISHLY ITCHY welts on my legs. I don’t think this is mosquitos because of the location. They could well be flea bites; the dogs are on flea control, but all I really have to do is go outside and there’s all SORTS of bugs. I’ve always been the one person in the crowd who gets a bunch of bites when the other people get one or two. I have tried virtually every over-the-counter product over the years to stop the TORTUROUS ITCHING. NOTHING works. NOTHING. Does anybody know if there’s something I could get prescribed that would actually STOP THE DAMN ITCHING? I don’t mean prescription strength hydrocortizone. I need something better than that. Hell, at this point I’d let them inject local into all of them if they’d just STOP ITCHING for a few hours and let me be. Right now I have eight of these suckers on my right leg. I know people joke about bug bites but I really am suffering. Last week I had a bunch and now that they’re gone, I’ve got a new crop. I’ve been itching for a day and a half. I dread going to bed just because contact with ANYTHING makes them itch even MORE. Any ideas??? ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/2 "2003-07-03T23:22:14Z")
Try [BK Lotion](http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/b/BK-HClot.htm). It work wonders at stopping itching. Dunno if there’s a US equivalent, but you can also try [here](http://store.yahoo.com/healthchemist-au/325295.html) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/3 "2003-07-03T23:33:37Z")
Also, get an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas. Short-term, but it _does_ help somewhat ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/4 "2003-07-03T23:50:20Z")
Have you tried Benadryl? Other than that, can’t help ya. That works in our family for just about all bugs and poison ivy. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/5 "2003-07-04T02:10:40Z")
Benadryl doesn’t seem to work either. ☹ I’ve tried EVERYTHING out there. The only over-the-counter stuff that works at all is Lanacane, which isn’t really supposed to be for bug bites, and even then it doesn’t always work. Even the extra-strength kind! Though when it does, it’s heaven…instant “aaaah.” But that doesn’t last more than a few minutes either. As I got the current crop of bites yesterday, today is the worst, itchiest day of all! Ice does help, except that it just doesn’t last. The BC stuff is hydrocortizone. I’m sure it’s nice stuff. It just doesn’t do squat for my bug bites. Thanks for the recommendation, though. My mom and I are trying to figure out what Bug From the Depths of Hell did this to me. _itching but NOT scratching, dammit!_ ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/6 "2003-07-04T02:15:24Z")
I mean BK, not BC. The last thing I’d need to know is what a bunch of fundamentalist cavemen put on their bug bites. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/7 "2003-07-04T02:26:48Z")
whiterabbit, I’m so so sorry. My daughter is the same way. Bugs just love her. When we were in Hawaii, someone was kind enough to suggest SkinSoSoft sublock. Not only did it work on her fair skin, it stopped the bugs from biting, too!! Which is good, because those monster mosquitos left welts the size of small pancakes (I kid you not) on my baby. SSS is made by Avon, you can buy it online fairly cheap. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/8 "2003-07-04T02:42:58Z")
I use hot compresses to relieve the itching of mosquito bites. Make them as hot as you can stand without burning yourself. They reduce the swelling, too. I suggest you try this on just one of your bites or a small area to see if it works for you. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/9 "2003-07-04T03:12:43Z")
Have you tried Caladryl lotion? A combination of Calomine and Benedryl. I was bitten to death by New Orleans mosquitos, and that helped a bit–that, and the ice. _Hot_ compresses, **Rowr**? Hmmm. Try cold on one leg and hot on the other and see what works. Of course, you may wind up with a thunderstorm in your crotch . . . ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/10 "2003-07-04T03:24:51Z")
I never thought about trying HOT compresses. Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Quantum\_Butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e79b87/32.png) [@Quantum\_Butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quantum_Butterfly)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/11 "2003-07-04T05:13:20Z")
Caladryl generally works for me, but then I’ve never had the kind of Bug Bites From Hell that you describe. You have my sympathies, **whiterabbit**. ☹ Have you tried something with lidocaine, menthol or similar numbing agent? You might see if you can find peppermint essential oil at a health-foods store, dilute in some vodka NOT water (trust me on this, peppermint oil will burn your skin if not diluted, and EOs are not water-soluble) and apply compress-style to your bites. Peppermint is the original source of menthol, and should give you some cooling action. If you feel like getting a bit more exotic, mix in some lavender; my books say that lavender helps reduce inflammation. Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/12 "2003-07-04T05:18:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\* > Try cold on one leg and hot on the other and see what works. Of course, you may wind up with a thunderstorm in your crotch . . . \*\* Aaaand that might take your mind off the itching for a little while… 😃 😃 😃 For poison oak, I like this stuff called Calagel, but I have no idea if it would work on bug bites. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/13 "2003-07-04T05:46:30Z")
You might need some sort of oral antihistamine to reduce the allergic reaction as well as the topical stuff. They might zonk you out a bit, but at least while you’re asleep, you’re not itching madly. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/14 "2003-07-04T06:11:04Z")
Meat tenderizer. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I swear it works. Just wet the affected area and pat the powder on. **d\_redguy** ’s mom (my MIL) told me about this and I thought she was nuts, but it works. We have converted many. ---
**Author:** ![SnugTheJoiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@SnugTheJoiner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnugTheJoiner)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/15 "2003-07-04T06:30:14Z")
Dear whiterabbit. I hate to state the obvious, but if no one else will, I guess it’s up to me. . . If you’re truly agonizing, and you’ve tried every over-the-counter remedy known to humankind, and there’s still no relief, it’s time to haul your butt to the doctor. Period. Don’t argue. ---
**Author:** ![Geoduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@Geoduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geoduck)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/16 "2003-07-04T07:06:50Z")
Lee Valley tools is kinda like the Trader Joe’s of gardening and similar equipment. Some of their stuff is wonderful; others junky. Today the Therapik bug bite treatment tool caught my eye. Who knows if this really works, but if you bite, let us know if you got bitten. [Therapik]([http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp](http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp)? SID=&ccurrency=2&page=10294&category=2,42551) ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/17 "2003-07-04T13:38:06Z")
Maybe it got lost in the OP, but I DID ask if anybody knew if there was something a doctor could give me that would be better than anything over-the-counter. All I know about is prescription-strength hydrocortizone, which never has done all that much for me. I’ll be HAPPY to cough up the money for a doctor visit if there’s something they can do, but why bother otherwise? I survived the night, though I itched the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Sinusoidal\_Saurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71e660/32.png) [@Sinusoidal\_Saurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinusoidal_Saurus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/18 "2003-07-04T13:43:26Z")
Try putting a couple of drops of full-strength ammonia on the bite, IF you haven’t scratched it open. That usually takes the itching away for an hour or two. Maisy ---
**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/19 "2003-07-04T14:26:28Z")
Oh I feel you pain. Bugs love me as well, I was always told they love whiter skin people (blonds), well I am the brunette proof it isn’t true… Sometimes (and only sometimes so I don’t get it), a bite will turn into the size of a baseball on me… They get hot to the touch and painfull… That happened last summer, not this one, thanks God. I did got to the doctor and he basically gave me hydrocortizone… It helped a bit but no miracle. Best thing, prevention… Spray OFF on you or something. For the existing bites, an old grandmother recipe in France is to apply red vinegar to the bite. Watch out if you already scratched it, it will sting! Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![kaycee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kaycee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaycee)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136/20 "2003-07-04T14:51:49Z")
Ummmm Ti-Tree oil directly onto the bite! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-are-eating-me-alive-and-nothing-stops-the-itching/186136.md?page=2)