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Going insane with itching! Insect bite treatments?

106 replies

JustMeHello · 01/07/2025 20:01

I always react really badly to insect bites, and currently have 3 bad bites from horseflies, 2 on my calf and one on my hand. I'm taking lots of antihistamine tablets which takes an edge off, and I have a small electric clicky thing which helps a little temporarily. A few years ago I got some amazing Benadryl gel in the States which was magic, but which isn't on sale here. I have some Savlon insect gel which takes a bit of the itch off for a short while, but which isn't great. I've got some Boots cooling spray which helps a little, but again, not for long. Antihistamine creams do absolutely nothing for me..

Does anyone have any magical solutions? I'm wondering about the electric heating things that come with USB chargers, but you apparently need to order online and they are £30+, so ideally I'd like something I can find in Tesco or Boots or Superdrug or somewhere. I am going to pop into a pharmacy tomorrow and see what they say, but they usually try to push anthistan cream which just does not work on me.

I must be missing something somewhere, I can't be the only one who wants to saw my own leg off?

OP posts:
JustMeHello · 01/07/2025 20:06

Menopants · 01/07/2025 20:02

Antihistamine tablets

Yes, I'm taking those twice a day, but they don't do more than take the edge off.

OP posts:
Dozer · 01/07/2025 20:06

The drowsy kind of piriton

ladymalfoy45 · 01/07/2025 20:06

Anthisan or a sting pen. I've found the chicken pox mousse very good too..

TronaldDump · 01/07/2025 20:05

Yes those heating thingies are worth the money and kill the itching in your average bite for several hours. Might not last so well with fhe horsefly bites (ouch) but I really recommend. Short term try the back of a teaspoon that's been dipped into hot water, as hot as you can stand for 20 seconds - has a similar effect.

AprilShowers25 · 01/07/2025 20:05

Hydrocolloid spot patches you can get from pharmacy or on Amazon, they draw out the fluid which causes the itching and helps them heal quicker

Menopants · 01/07/2025 20:02

Antihistamine tablets

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