Another mosquito related question

[Tracy in WI]

I know the mosquitos have been bad, but even when they aren't I am the bug magnet of the travel group. I even check out innocent beach goers to see if they too have been attacked like me - I'm the one with the big red welts all over!

Anyway, my question is, once I am bitten, what do you recommend in terms of anti-itch cream/lotion. At times, my body is aching to be scratched and I need help! I would prefer to be inconspicuous with the cream/lotion, so no recommendations for the bright pink stuff please - that would surely leave some odd tan marks!

Thanks!

[Xislandgirl]

After Bite is the only thing that works for me.

Ruth sells it!

[Nic in KC]

The itching was the worst I've ever experienced, but then I've never had that many bites before in my life. We bought the after bite and it did nothing for me. The thing that seemed to help me the most was using rubbing alcohol and coating the bites with it. Stung a little, but helped the itch. Nothing completely got ride of it though!

[California Girl]

Tracy, after reading RickG's report about the mosquitos before we went, I picked up a tube of Benadryl cream at the drugstore and threw it in my purse. What a blessing! It not only stopped the itching immediately, but it's odorless, colorless and not greasy. It went everywhere we went and it works like a charm!

[liamsaunt]

Benadryl also makes a spray on itch reliver. It is really good. I keep it in the fridge so that you get the combined coolness and itch relief. It's not sticky and it does not smell. It comes in a 3-ounce pump for those of you that are carrying on.

[traceysj]

Benadryl also makes their itch relief in stick form. You can put it in your pocket or purse for itch relief on the go!

[Gizzmo]

I totally agree with liamsaunt!

[RickG]

Claritin works great for me. It's what friends on PEI use.

Cheers, RickG

[mrsb]

Last year I took with me something that had been sitting in the medicine cabinet forever. It was called Rhuli gel. I slathered this stuff on and I felt better. Worked for the burn and the bites. It has a cooling effect. It is clear and non-staining. I just searched for it and it is now sold under J&J Bandaid anti itch gel.

[kellyanna]

Liamsaunt- What a good idea to refriderage the spray! Tracy in WI, I am a bug magnet, too. I was able to prevent the bites with "OFF". Once bitten, I'll use everything I can get my hands on not to scratch. I use Benadryl sprays and creams, Anti-itch anything and I have a small bottle of tea tree oil in my suitcase and dab bites with a q-tip.

[JT]

Benadryl is your best hope, once you get bit. Generally the best remedy is to figure out why you are the magnet. It is usually a controllable variable.

[2catlimit]

I, too am the mosquito magnet.
They come from far and wide when they hear I'm in town. I'm sure I'm considered a delicacy in their culture.
The trip we just returned from was in the prime of the recent "Mosquito Swarm From Hell '07 Tour". They were the worst I've ever seen.
I was in pretty good shape if I followed my usual routine which is: Shower, towel dry, apply sunscreen from head to toe, apply Off bug spray from head to toe, allow to dry before getting dressed. If I get in the pool or ocean, reapply Off liberally. Apply a light coat of Off just before bed, including hair and face. Unfortunately that can act as husband repellant as well, but there's nothing like waking up with mosquito bites on your face.
Once bitten, I've used the Benadryl gel and spray with okay results.
The strangest thing I've found that often works is what I thought must be just an old wives tale.
It's the thing where you use your fingernail to make an X on the bite.
Take your fingernail or thumbnail and place it across the bite in one direction. Press down really hard to imprint your fingernail in your skin. I press really hard and hold it a while.
Then do the same thing in the other direction so that the marks cross in the center of the bite forming an X.
Bizarre, but for me it makes it stop itching most of the time.
It can't hurt to try it.

[Tracy in WI]

Thanks everyone!

And JT - how do I figure out why I am the magnet - I am my father's daughter but he gets attacked even worse!?

Tracy

[waterguy]

Your problem Tracy is Juice is to fast and they can't catch him. So kick him in the leg to slow him down it works for bears
Tom

[liamsaunt]

Tracy, one thing I have heard is that eating bananas makes you a serious mosquito target. Supposedly if you stop eating bananas about a month before your trip you will have less of a chance of being bit. I can't even remember the last banana I've eaten. I'll probably be eaten alive anyway though.