Modern Vespa

ARGH!

I went to my friends lake home this weekend and got bit up by some mosquitos. Now I am looking for any remedies before I head to the store to see what they have.

FYI - waking up scratching at your ankles in your sleep at 4:00 am is kinda sucky. I don't scratch while I am awake, but I won't be held responsible for what I do in my sleep (heh, heh, heh).

'After-Bite' ammonia stick. Efficacious.

Allegra Topical

New and it works like a charm.

Preparation - H, cream style only.

No, really!

There are numerous formulations of Prep-H, one cream has Pramoxine HCL 1%. This is a topical anesthetic which works very well.

A local pharmacist prepares a proprietary mix of a lotion with pramoxine 1% and diphenhydramine HCL 2% (an antihistamine) which works wonders on the bites and itches endemic to Florida.

Call Regie at 239-472-6188 and see if he will send you some.

[no, I have nothing to do with this, just a happy customer]

Gold Bond Extra Strength Medicated Body Lotion, the one in the green bottle with the red cap. If it can sooth riba rash, it surely can sooth a bug bite.

Have your BF wake up and 4am and scratch them for you.

.

+1 but you need to hit it right after you have a bite. If you scratch your bite and then apply After Bite you will be in a whole lot of pain....

This isn't exactly what you asked about, but I'm going to tell you about this anyhow. I read recently that if you've been bitten you can markedly decrease the itching from the bite by doing something really simple. Run a metal spoon under hot hot water, then press the hot spoon onto the bite, keep it there as long as you can repeating it a couple of times. This works, I was really surprised. The heat can denature the proteins that the mosquito injects into you to prevent your blood from clotting as it sucks your blood. When the proteins denature, the itch decreases.

Benadryl. Calamine. Baking soda mixed with a little water to make a paste.

That's just what I was going to suggest. The bump will still be there, but do it soon enough to keep the allergic (red and itchy) response to a minimum. I've thought in lieu of a spoon, a lighter on for a few seconds and then using the warmed metal edge might be about the same. Just not too hot, then you'll have another issue to deal with.

Everything I know I learned on Modern Vespa.

(Benny, I'm gonna try that ... I hope it works!)

Lived in Florida all my life (mosquito heaven) and I recently discovered Afrin nasal spray works great for stopping the itch almost immediately!... Rub the Afrin in and you have put antihistamine directly on the itch, You can't get any better than that
I don't go camping without it.

I just tried this as about 3 new ones popped up and it has worked. I don't think it will help the older ones.

I have strong reactions to mosquito bites. Itch till I'm raw. Spray Benedryl is the only thing I've tried that works.

I've used moistened tobacco on bee stings might also work for skeeter bites.

But the Gold Bond will. Someone I know had Hep-C (really it wasn't me). The standard treatment works, but a side effect is a shingles-like rash called riba rash. Hundreds of people' including my friend, swear by Gold Bond in the green bottle with the red cap. I bought some and have used it for all kinds of itchy-ness.

I found Aloe, not plain aloe, but aloe with lidocaine to be effective and helpful.
Plus, it's useful for a variety of irritations, sunburn included.

I always keep some on hand when I'm traveling or camping. It even makes a good aftershave in a pinch.

You can get it just about anywhere (just make sure lidocaine is listed on the label) or just pick up the brand name Solarcaine product:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Solarcaine-Aloe-Gel-4-oz/10419591

Some good ideas above... Another thing that works if you have it around is Absorbine Jr. (usually used for foot stuff). It works great!

I'll have to try Benito's remedy - sounds cool...

Desi B.

Yes, once they are there for a while, the allergic reaction is set up and it is too late. For fresh ones this does work. I had five new bites on Sunday night and usually they would be horribly itchy and really really dark red and swollen by now. Instead I used the spoon trick, and they are hardly visible today and not itchy.

Glad to share this trick that works with everyone.

Take Chemo they won;t come with in a mile of you.

I remember way back in the 90's, I got my truck badly stuck in the middle of the wildlife refuge one evening on the way back from a fishing excursion. Stepped out of the truck and the attack was on. They don't call it the Mosquito Lagoon for nothing. I knew I had a 2 mile walk out ahead of me before I could get a near brick phone signal. Jumped back in. No insect repellant (stupid) but there was a quart of motor oil behind the seat. Smeared that all over, grabbed the cooler with water and made the walk/ jog out until I flagged down a jacked up 4x4 for help. No bites ! Since then, I've kept water and insect repellent in all vehicles.

heya

having had extensive experience of mosquito bites from traveling through south and central america I have found the quickest and longest lasting itch relief to be good old tea tree oil.....smells not too bad either!

Just moved to SW Florida from MN. I thought mosquito's in MN were bad.... They ain't got nothin' on Florida Mosquito's!!!!

Florida Mosquito's are HUGE! They are SILENT! They are almost unnoticeable as they land on you and prick you.... Very skillful...

The Mosquito's in MN are amateurs... In MN you can here 'em buzzing - they are smaller and you can feel them land on your skin...

I'll try Afrin nasal spray....

Any fave lotion - spray to keep them off?

I kill them when I hear or feel them