29 replies to this topic

[Anna Blume]

Hot, humid weather.

Sweat.

Outside lots.

Socks that come up only so far.

Biting flies attack. Ouch! Days after, hell of itching.

Mosquito sightings, though now it's mostly flies.

Respectful of greater plights, but seated at computer, trying to focus on reports and such, distracted.

Will reapply hydracorteson or whatever, but other advice welcome.

Thanks.

[weezy]

ice compresses, if you can manage them at work. Bringing down the inflammation will lessen the itchiness of it all.

[ktmoomau]

And when you get any bites try to wash them ASAP with soap and water, it really helps.

[DonRocks]

Scratch until you bleed, then start drinking.

[lperry]

If it doesn't put you to sleep, Benadryl (or the generic) is remarkably effective for itching bug bites. If it does put you to sleep, take it at bedtime and you will be able to sleep peacefully, itch-free.

[DonRocks]

If it doesn't put you to sleep, Benadryl (or the generic) is remarkably effective for itching bug bites. If it does put you to sleep, take it at bedtime and you will be able to sleep peacefully, itch-free.

The key is whether or not you wake up peacefully the next morning!

For me, that stuff is like putting my entire body in a Fog Machine that lasts the whole next day. Even caffeine can't snap me out of it.

[goodeats]

For me, that stuff is like putting my entire body in a Fog Machine that lasts the whole next day. Even caffeine can't snap me out of it.

That's why you only take half! Sadly, little man has the opposite effect - it makes him hyperactive.

I just stumbled upon this product that helps with bites, especially helpful since I'm allergic to the stup...silly mosquito bites. Apparently bamboo too, since I got caught in some bamboo that left me with some mini-splinters and this ailment to help me cope. Yeesh.

[KMango]

Mebbe it's placebo effect*...

But right after a bite, I grab a freshly cut onion and rub the spot.

Itching afterwards, even days later, is nearly non-existent.

(*and even if so)
(ignorance is bliss)
(i want to be happy)

[goodeats]

Mebbe it's placebo effect*...

But right after a bite, I grab a freshly cut onion and rub the spot.

I don't think it's a placebo - this remedy makes sense, as the acid in the onion would probably kill the poison or coagulate the blood or some chemical effect that would dull the nerves. Cool trick.

[1000yregg]

Based on the name of this topic, I thought it was about zombies

[Pat]

If you want mosquito advice, I can look through some neighborhood listserve postings about a natural mosquito repellent to put outdoors that a number of people seemed to find useful.

Sorry to hear about the biting flies. I remember them wrecking a beach vacation once, but I can't recall what I did about the bites.

[bookluvingbabe]

I've had good look with alcohol wipes on the bites--seems to take away the itch. Eating lots of garlic is supposed to repel them.

Knock wood I haven't gotten bit yet--I'm usually a magnet for them.

[Sundae in the Park]

The topical Benadryl with lots of soothing menthol plus a layer of hydrocortisone once it's dry works pretty well for us.

[Ericandblueboy]

I bought something called Sting Eze awhile ago (I think at a golf pro shop), and it's the only thing that seems to actually work on mosquito bites. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got it from and we've never been able to find another bottle. If you find it locally, please let us know where.

[DonRocks]

Mebbe it's placebo effect*...

But right after a bite, I grab a freshly cut onion and rub the spot.

Itching afterwards, even days later, is nearly non-existent.

(*and even if so)
(ignorance is bliss)
(i want to be happy)

I don't think it's a placebo - this remedy makes sense, as the acid in the onion would probably kill the poison or coagulate the blood or some chemical effect that would dull the nerves. Cool trick.

If you get stung by an Irukandji jellyfish, you should immediately give away any sharp objects or firearms (because you'll use them on yourself within the next few hours), but you're still supposed to apply vinegar to the sting (yes, I know nematocysts are different, but there may be some overlapping principles at play here).

Taking one for the team (and this isn't even an Irukandji).

But this one is: Irukandji Syndrome.

[porcupine]

Anna Blume: perhaps you should wear your hat on your feet, and wander on your hands?

Before next Sunday get thee some Repel (REI sells it). It smells noxious but not nearly as bad as other insect repellants, and it does work.
Second the recommendation for topical Benadryl.

[Rovers2000]

I bought something called Sting Eze awhile ago (I think at a golf pro shop), and it's the only thing that seems to actually work on mosquito bites. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got it from and we've never been able to find another bottle. If you find it locally, please let us know where.

You can order it off of Amazon.

[DanCole42]

Rub raw garlic on the bite like your life depends on it. It'll sting, but man up.

Or just do what I did and marry someone who's way more delicious to bugs than you are.

[tfbrennan]

For our deck, I'm thinking of trying gadget I read about recently: ThermaCELL insect-repelling lantern. Uses allethrin. They also have portable devices if you're moving around. Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Sports Authority, etc.

[Genevieve]

For our deck, I'm thinking of trying gadget I read about recently: ThermaCELL insect-repelling lantern. Uses allethrin. They also have portable devices if you're moving around. Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Sports Authority, etc.

I'm interested in hearing about yard/deck insect repellants. Someone mentioned a garlic one to me recently, but reviews said your yard will have a strong garlic smell, so that won't work for us.

For spray-ons, I like lemon eucalyptus (Repel has a brand with it), which is apparently nearly as good as DEET. I think Consumer Reports said it was the only non-DEET repellant that was effective.

[zoramargolis]

I use Deet spray on my feet, have a Buzz-Off shirt that I wear while walking the dogs. I buy 1% cortisone cream in industrial tubs. Slather it on generously. Ice packs for particularly itchy bites that cortisone doesn't work on. At least once a summer (twice this year already) I get a bite on my face that swells up grotesquely and is not responsive to anything topical or systemic antihistamines, and I have to take prednisone. I hate biting bugs. They are the bane of my existence in the summer, along with the heat and humidity.

[SeanMike]

Drink lots, and smoke lots of cigars. Mosquitos won't like the taste of you!

(works for me, at least)

[mdt]

I'm interested in hearing about yard/deck insect repellants. Someone mentioned a garlic one to me recently, but reviews said your yard will have a strong garlic smell, so that won't work for us.

For spray-ons, I like lemon eucalyptus (Repel has a brand with it), which is apparently nearly as good as DEET. I think Consumer Reports said it was the only non-DEET repellant that was effective.

One of the things you can do on a deck is put a box fan on the ground blowing across the deck. Not only will it keep you cool, but it will blow the bugs away too as they cannot fight the slight breeze. There is also this service which I have heard about, Mosquito Squad, but I have no personal experience with them.

[DonRocks]

There is also this service which I have heard about, Mosquito Squad, but I have no personal experience with them.

I'd never heard of them until two days ago when I was behind their truck at a stoplight.

[jayandstacey]

As a kid, I got poison ivy often. If it got bad, I'd scratch the blisters open and weeping then pour Clorox on them.

It was effective at reducing the itching and a different way to spend a part of the day.

[JimRice]

Based on the name of this topic, I thought it was about zombies

I thought it was about shark season. My bad.

[Genevieve]

One of the things you can do on a deck is put a box fan on the ground blowing across the deck. Not only will it keep you cool, but it will blow the bugs away too as they cannot fight the slight breeze. There is also this service which I have heard about, Mosquito Squad, but I have no personal experience with them.

That's a good idea! Though I need a way to keep them away from me in the hammock, which is probably too far from the deck (it's a small yard, but fans only reach so far). Maybe one of those little portable fans that squirt water.

My understanding is that Mosquito Squad uses sprays that will kill all the insects - I don't want to kill beneficial insects, just keep mosquitos away. I've looked into those electronic zapper things and am tempted to try one.

[monavano]

As a kid, I got poison ivy often. If it got bad, I'd scratch the blisters open and weeping then pour Clorox on them.

It was effective at reducing the itching and a different way to spend a part of the day.

I never got poison ivy until recently, and I get it baaaaaaaaaad. Both times I wound up on prednisone and antibiotics. Whatever you do, refrain from scratching! I got relief from hot water and a blow dryer. Bad ideas, I know, but before the oral and topical meds, I was going bananas.
I'm also mosquito food. Those suckers will latch onto me within seconds. I use OFF and Avon product. Both do the trick.

[DonRocks]

I've looked into those electronic zapper things and am tempted to try one.

That's what she said.

[monavano]

That's what she said.

Thank you Michael Scott