It's summertime in Maine and my sons get an occasional mosquitoe bite despite our steady attention to prudent use of bug spray and clothing (buzz off hats, shirts, etc). My eldest son REALLY scratches his bites until he's created sores which bleed, hurt and itch more. He then continues to scratch repeatedly damaging the skin. I've tried all kinds of anti-itch things - many of which sting simply because ANYTHING would sting on a fresh wounds raw from scratching. We've tried benadryl, hydrocortisone, aloe, calamine, oatmeal baths, even toothpaste and covering with band-aids. My younger son does not decimate his skin or legs after bites the way my older son does. I've tried better prevention of bites, pleading with him not to scratch, explaining and teaching about itch, skin and healing and the described after bite salves - but not succeeding. Does any one have ideas?
L.,
I was just reading that witch hazel is supposed to help with mosquito bites. I haven't tried it myself yet but just another idea for you.
-S.
Hi L. A
Its C. H here, mother of 5, all of my kids are violently allergic to mosquitos and they get bites that swell up like little golf balls when they get them. I tried reducing the sugar intake of my kids and using a mint salve - rather a concoction of a tiny bit of vicks vapor rub(A type of Camphor) and lots of vaseline because mosquitos hate mint. When I was desperate I also had them drink mint tea. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. C.
I was taught this little trick as a kid & still use it to this day!! It really does help to take the itch out & satisfied my need to scratch. Using your fingernail, press into the bug bite, the do the same in the other direction making an "X" in the middle of the bug bite! It something easy your son can do himself, the trick is to put enough pressure to leave the 'X' mark. It's worked for me, I've never had to use an anti itch cream & I've lived in Maine my whole life!! Good Luck! Hope it works for your son!
I haven't read through ALL the responses, but I didn't see on your list "AfterBite" (for children of course). It's the only item that relieved the itch enough for our 20 month old to stop scratching the mosquito bites she got on a vaca to Antigua and recent weekends on the Cape. Good luck!
Hi L.,
I received a new Parenting Magazine in the mail yesterday and there was a little information for a fast fix for mosquito bites : 'To reduce itching, cover a fresh welt with a piece of transparent tape. The tape creates a different sensation on the skin, which some say can ease discomfort. Covering the bite will also discourage little fingers from scratching. Keeping your kid's nails short will help too' Hope this helps!
I put bandaids over the bites, then the kids rub on top of the bandaids and they don't do as much damage. If I don't have medicine, just a bandaid, I just slap one on. Sometimes they look funny with lots of bandaids, but it helps them remember too.
"Sarna" is a mild but VERY effective anti-itch, available in drug stores near the other itch stuff. I've used it on everything from poison ivy to hives to bug bites and it has been a life-saver, and is very safe. Good luck!
Hi. Not sure if thi works, but I just read in Parenting magazine that you can put a piece of scotch tape over the bug bite.
I read an article in parent magazine if you put transparent tape over the bite it creates a different sensation to the skin stops the itch and prevents them from scratching it is worth a try.
I also sell Arbonne and I know the awaken body mist & the after sun glow with it lotion are also a fabulous bug repellent that are natural and smell good plus the herbal diaper rash creme works great on bug bites these I have used and love the results. My son is 18 months and I use them on him.
If you would like more info on the products please let me know or visit my website www.healthyweightandskin.myarbonne.com
or www.daniellebaker.net
Bandaid with witch hazel dabbed on before application.
One of my daughters is turning thirteen in less than a week, and is very active and seems to always have somewhere to go or something to do. She is constantly getting mosquito bites too, because of all the evening activities she has going on. Although she is old enough to know the consequences of scratching her mosquito bites, she still seems to not have control over the urge to scratch. What works is actually the Cortizone 10, ant-itch cream, (My apologies for mispelling!) with a band-aid on top. but when it gets as severe as in your case to the point of creating an open wound, I found it is easy to first clean the cut with hydrogen peroxide, then put a band-aid lightly on top, and wraping the area in gauze. It will sting at first, but after a while the irritation subsides, and because of the gauze the child has a harder time scratching. Once the wound is scabbed over, simply put on the anti-itch cream, apply a new band-aid and gauze once again. Hopefully this works for you! ;)
HI L., This will sound really odd, but IT WORKS! A friend tipped me off to this several years ago, and we have used it ever since. For whatever reason, "Ban" roll-on deodorant works great to roll on a mosquito bite to stop the itch. My grandchildren now run for the "Ban" as soon as they get a bite and roll it on. We keep one at home & always take another on vacation. I don't know which ingredient does the trick, but this works every time. One of our grandsons did just what your older son does and was always covered with sores from scratching bug bites. That stopped as soon as we began using the "Ban". Hope this is the solution for you. E. Taft ____@____.com
I have the same reaction to black fly bites. Fresh plantain leaves (almost guaranteed that it's growing in your lawn right now) chewed up and applied under a bandage will help draw out the venom. You can make a tincture of it too, letting the cut up leaves sit in alcohol (80 proof vodka) for 2-4 weeks. For immediate relief, your best bet is to ice it to reduce the swelling.
i just read the other day in (I think) Parenting Magazine, a solution for stopping the itching of bites can be putting a piece of scotch tape over it. Who knows if it works, but since I just read it I thought I'd share that with you. Good luck!
This will not be exactly helpful but when I was a kid I was just like your son. Even now a bug bite will bother me for days where my husband it is 1-2 hours. I think it depends on the bite but maybe ask your pediatrician for something, when I was a kid (25-30 years ago) I used to take a chewable pill before going out. Not sure what it was, bright pink and gross, but it supposedly helped. Also try cold compresses to keep the itch down. My dad always said that your skin can only feel one thing at a time so he used to make an "x" on the bug bite with his nail which temporarily hurt and stopped the itch. I was good until the next breeze or clothing brushed against it. I still do it now to myself (although not with the 20 month old yet)
Best of luck--ps--dry ice also works b/c mosquitos are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we emit, and dry ice is just solid carbon dioxide--it can be placed at the edge of the area your kids are playing in---just don't let the kids touch it.
Nat
L.,
Look for Spirits of Camphor in the drug store. They'll order it for you if they don't have it on hand. If you can get to the bite immediately to swab this on, it will take the itch away and the bite will not bother him again.
It's an old time remedy but worth tracking down.
Also, get one of those new OFF bug repellant clip ons. They DO work.
Hi L.,
Arbonne...ABC Herbal Diaper Rash cream. ($14) My 14 year old daughter is leaving for camp tomorrow it's one the first things packed! All her cabin mates are grateful when she brings it. We all use it at our house in Maine too.
Contact me and I can have it sent directly to you...you'll love it:).
Sincerely,
K.
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www.kellymcinnis.myarbonne.com
I use a Benadryle cream on my 3 year old and she does not scratch them. CVS, Rite Aid, & Walmart sell it. Good luck
