Itchy?

The mosquitoes are out with a vengeance. And while I’m not particularly worried about weird fevers or anything, the itching might make me crazy. More than 10 years ago, I stayed at a hotel at Universal theme park in Orlando and got bit by bed bugs – and ever since, I have horrible, swollen reactions to mosquito bites so I feel like an expert on itching. So let’s talk about some ways to make the bites stop being so itchy:

• My favorite is hydrocortisone cream. It’s a corticosteroid that mimics how a natural hormone reduces inflammation. So it stops the itch and helps reduce the swelling around the bite too. I carry a tube of Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone cream around with me almost every summer. It also has aloe and vitamin E in it so it’s good for your skin!
• Old school? Calamine lotion will take the itch away! And give you pink polka dots to remind you of being a kid?
• Washing the bite with antibacterial soap and cool water can help – but it’s never worked very well for me.
• Ice it! Putting an ice cube or ice pack on the bite will lessen blood flow in the area and helps reduce the itch and the swelling.
• Dab honey on the bite. It has anti-inflammitory properties and can help stop the itch – but on the downside, it might make you a sticky mess and attract other bugs.
• Make a paste with baking soda and a little bit of water. Put it on the bite and let it sit 5-10 minutes before washing it away.
• Dab a drop or two of apple cider vinegar on the bite.
• Slice an onion and press the “juicy” part of the slice on the bite for a couple minutes. Then wash the area well with cool water and lots of soap or you might smell a little!
• Mix peppermint oil with a little coconut oil and dab on the bite.
• Wipe the bite with a cotton ball soaked in Witch Hazel.

Or just wear insect repellent and long sleeves/long pants? Or stay inside early in the morning and around sunset to minimize the odds of being bitten!