Photo: Stocksy United
Mosquitoes leave behind saliva, which kick-starts our immune response and the itch. Try these tricks and products to off-set the reaction and take away the urge to scratch.
1. The x-trick
Press an X into the centre of the bite with a clean fingernail. It sounds silly, but many people swear this trick works.
2. Hot spoon
Place a spoon in hot water for a minute. Remove and let cool for 10 seconds, then lay the warm spoon on the bump. Don’t knock it till you try it!
3. Natural oils
Dab on a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil.
5. After Bite
Small and portable, After Bite contains baking soda, tea tree oil, and aloe vera, which are meant to stop the itch while soothing and moisturizing the skin.
6. Benedryl Itch Stick
Benedryl is parents’ go-to for almost all allergic-type reactions. Its Itch Stick contains a topical analgesic and antihistamine to help soothe itchiness and pain.
7. Calamine lotion
Yep, it’ll leave conspicuous pale-pink dots everywhere, but Calamine, which is zinc oxide based, helps relieve itching and is considered safe. Go one step further with Calamine that contains an antihistamine.
8. Therapik Insect Bite Treatment
It sounds like it shouldn’t work but parents swear it does! Therapik increases blood flow to the affected area, while venom from a wide range of insects gets neutralized by heat.
Read more:
Outsmarting mosquitoes
12 tips for getting your kids outdoors
8 outdoor activities that develop fine motor skills
