Anna Blume Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weezy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 ice compresses, if you can manage them at work. Bringing down the inflammation will lessen the itchiness of it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 And when you get any bites try to wash them ASAP with soap and water, it really helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Scratch until you bleed, then start drinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lperry Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMango Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1000yregg Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Based on the name of this topic, I thought it was about zombies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundae in the Park Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 The topical Benadryl with lots of soothing menthol plus a layer of hydrocortisone once it's dry works pretty well for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 On 6/11/2012 at 5:42 PM, KMango said: 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) On 6/11/2012 at 5:50 PM, goodeats said: 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers2000 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCole42 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfbrennan Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoramargolis Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Drink lots, and smoke lots of cigars. Mosquitos won't like the taste of you! (works for me, at least) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayandstacey Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimRice Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Based on the name of this topic, I thought it was about zombies I thought it was about shark season. My bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I've looked into those electronic zapper things and am tempted to try one. That's what she said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 That's what she said. Thank you Michael Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 6/12/2012 at 12:29 AM, DonRocks said: 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. "Teen Swimmer Killed by Most Venemous Marine Animal" on mercurynews.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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