Managing very itchy insect bite

[WobblyLondoner]

I react really badly to insect bites - big red swollen marks that itch to high heaven. I’ve got 3 on my arm from Sunday - despite taking an antihistamine each morning (Loratadine) and putting antisan on them as often as recommended, they are so painful. Last night I took a piriton before I went to sleep though I’m aware you shouldn’t mix antihistamines. I’m taking paracetamol too, as that dulls the pain, and using ice to reduce the swelling. Does anyone else struggle with this and if so what works for you?

I’ll go the pharmacist tomorrow if it is still this bad :(

Do you have an electric clicker? It doesn't help with healing the bite, but it stops you damaging the area further by scratching it.

Run a teaspoon under the hot tap until it’s “too hot” then press it hard on the bite and hold it there for as long as you can bear it. It really works.

Hot spoon as above or very hot compress. Don’t burn yourself and add insult to injury though. It’s much more effective than ice.

I react super badly too, you have my commiserations.

You can buy little devices which heat up (like the spoon trick mentioned^^). I also react badly to them so really sympathise

My top insect bite products:

Electric clicker: https://amzn.eu/d/05YfWVQx

Bug Bite Thing (I don't know why it works, but it's amazing. I bought a couple to take to Costa Rica in case one of us got bitten by a snake, but everyone on our tour ended up borrowing it to ease itchy bites on the long coach journeys): https://amzn.eu/d/0fzt7sjW

After Bite pen: https://amzn.eu/d/08K2lVQy

I find that antisan is great for stings and nettle rash, but not so good for insect bites.

Those spot patches you can put on your face apparently work a treat!

Sudaocrem is good for the itch, but the best thing is hydrocortisone.

I have to take two loretadine, one morning, one tea time, when I'm bitten. I react really severely. You're not supposed to but I checked with my pharmacist friend and she said not to drive if they made me drowsy but otherwise it's safe.

Cold flannel, keep pressed to the site for several hours. Run under cold tap often to keep it cool.

Chlorphanmine is your friend here. My son got stung by a bee last week and his hand was massive. Cetirizine did nothing but Chlorphenamine stopped the itching almost immediately and it deflated pretty quickly.

Thanks so much everyone. I’m embarrassed to say that we do have one of those heat pen things but I thought they only worked if you used them straight away. It’s already made a huge difference - quite miraculous really.

It is a miracle. I just use a hot spoon in boiled water. Its the best thjng that ever happened to my summers after years of misery. Massive reactions to every little bite. Bumps as big as mountains as a child.2

If it's swollen then ice is great and keep it elevated as possible.

Hydrocortisone cream if the skin isn't broken or eurax HC is also good. Piriton or chlorphenamine is better for skin allergies than loratadine. Plus you can take it 4 times a day.