# What's the best stuff to kill bug bite itchyness? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2009, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839 "2009-07-13T06:26:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/1 "2009-07-13T06:26:56Z")
This might belong in IMHO, if so feel free to move it It’s summer, mosquitoes are flourishing here, and my SO and I have been getting eaten alive. I’ve bought the OFF! candle lantern for prevention when we’re sitting out on the front porch, and that works great for area protection. The problem is we still get nailed constantly if we’re walking 5 minutes to a friends house, or when I go out for a cigarette at work. What the best itch-fighting stuff out there? The only thing that comes to mind is calamine lotion, and I don’t think I’ve used that stuff since I had the chicken pox back in 88-89. _lurks away to scratch the 5 new mosquito bites I received during cig breaks at work tonight…_ ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/2 "2009-07-13T06:34:29Z")
I have some stuff called BiteMD. I am being bitten to death (hopefully not literally…I keep forgetting to take my antimalarials) and use it constantly. It’s a lifesaver. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/3 "2009-07-13T08:03:34Z")
Standard advice on treating mosquito bites: > **[Mosquito bites - Symptoms and causes](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310)** > > Learn about the many ways to prevent mosquito bites and how to ease the itch if you are bitten. Provided that it can be applied immediately after the bite occurs, I’ve found After Bite to be effective. Otherwise see the above. > **[Walgreens: Pharmacy, Health & Wellness, Photo & More for You](https://www.walgreens.com/)** > > Your go-to for Pharmacy, Health & Wellness and Photo products. Refill prescriptions online, order items for delivery or store pickup, and create Photo Gifts. I am not a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/4 "2009-07-13T09:10:39Z")
I’ve found that Purell hand sanitizer does as good a job as anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/5 "2009-07-13T10:07:48Z")
The only thing that I find even moderately effective is Benadryl tablets. I’ve tried various ointments and creams, and I never found one that really worked. Well, I suspect that if I took Demerol that that would work too, but I’m talking about over the counter stuff. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Seventh\_Deadly\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6bbea6/32.png) [@The\_Seventh\_Deadly\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Seventh_Deadly_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/6 "2009-07-13T11:10:59Z")
Not made strictly for bites, but I like a product called Sea Breeze. I think it’s supposed to be a cleanser for oily skin, but it’s good on mosquito bites, too. It’s especially good if you’ve scratched them a bit; it sort of stings the itch out. For all I know rubbing alcohol would do just as well, since it also stings. But my grandma used Sea Breeze, so I do too. After all, she was an old lady from the countryside; she must know what she’s talking about… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/7 "2009-07-13T11:41:40Z")
Benadryl in general; I have a Sting Stick for immediate treatment of venomous stings. ---
**Author:** ![Moonshiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Moonshiner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonshiner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/8 "2009-07-13T12:36:36Z")
[Heat from a hair dryer](http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/7372.html) works for me. In fact, it even works on chigger bites, which are much itchier than mosquito bites. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/9 "2009-07-13T12:57:42Z")
Where are you? I grew up in Central Arkansas, and have found that if I can just leave the damn things alone for thirty minutes, they go away. Mrs. Plant, who is Not From Around Here, on the other hand has a bad reaction to them. Back when I smoked, it kept mosquitoes away. Very hot bath water works for chiggers. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/10 "2009-07-13T14:01:38Z")
I advise to just leave them alone for a while. I can’t help scratching, but mosquito bites for me are gone within a couple of hours. And like Ned Flanders says, mosquito bites aren’t that bad - it sure does feel good scratching 'em! ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/11 "2009-07-13T14:41:26Z")
We got seriously bitten a couple years ago. After some internet searching, we stumbled across a few homespun remedies, all of which worked but to varying degrees depending on the person: Spread toothpaste over the affected area. If your feet are itchy, make some oatmeal in a footbath and soak your feet. Spread latex paint over the bites & let it dry. Wrap the area in Scotch tape. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/12 "2009-07-13T14:55:32Z")
Putting a piece of scotch tape on it really does work - probably because it keeps you from messing with it, but if it works, don’t argue. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/13 "2009-07-13T18:39:58Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > …Well, I suspect that if I took Demerol that that would work too, but I’m talking about over the counter stuff. Demerol definitely works for mosquito bites. Also very effective for neuritis, neuralgia, and existentialism. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/14 "2009-07-13T18:44:44Z")
> [@thetruewheel](#): > > For all I know rubbing alcohol would do just as well, since it also stings. But my grandma used Sea Breeze, so I do too. After all, she was an old lady from the countryside; she must know what she’s talking about… :dubious: I tried rubbing alcohol, but I think it did not do an immediate job taking care of the itch. One thing that I have found to work is white vinegar. Declan ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/15 "2009-07-13T18:52:02Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > What the best itch-fighting stuff out there? The only thing that comes to mind is calamine lotion, and I don’t think I’ve used that stuff since I had the chicken pox back in 88-89. They now make a clear version of calamine lotion – same effect, but it’s invisible. I keep a bottle for when I get into the poison ivy, but I’ve also used it on bug bites. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/16 "2009-07-13T18:52:36Z")
Do the bites not go away in fifteen to thirty minutes for most of you guys? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/17 "2009-07-13T19:05:59Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Do the bites not go away in fifteen to thirty minutes for most of you guys? Um, no. For me it usually takes a week or more for bites to go away, but most of that time they’re only occasionally, and mildly, itchy. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/18 "2009-07-13T19:09:38Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > I’ve bought the OFF! candle lantern for prevention when we’re sitting out on the front porch, and that works great for area protection. The problem is we still get nailed constantly if we’re walking 5 minutes to a friends house, or when I go out for a cigarette at work. I have to ask – why not use a spray or rub on repellent on your exposed skin? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/19 "2009-07-13T19:12:30Z")
Tussin. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839/20 "2009-07-13T19:13:44Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Do the bites not go away in fifteen to thirty minutes for most of you guys? Not for me, but I’m pretty sensitive to most bug bites anyway. I can get some really spectacular swellings in just five minutes when I’m bitten. Benadryl is my FRIEND. I’m scared to become friends with Demerol, I suspect that I’d become bosom buddies with it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-stuff-to-kill-bug-bite-itchyness/502839.md?page=2)