Bug Bites

[pinkmomagain]

I guess the walk we went on yesterday evening was a mistake, because my 10 yo was obviously bitten pretty badly by mosquitoes. For some reason, they LOVE her. I think I'm going to order some Badger Balm and try it out as repellent, but I'm wondering what you all find best to put on the actual bites to relieve itching and swelling?

TIA

[MommyAllison]

We've been using California Baby's calendula cream (don't remember the actual name, but it comes in a small jar with a yellow label and we got it at Target in the baby section) and it has been awesome for relieving itching. The mosquitoes are horrible here this year too!

[doberbrat]

We've been using California Baby's calendula cream (don't remember the actual name, but it comes in a small jar with a yellow label and we got it at Target in the baby section) and it has been awesome for relieving itching. The mosquitoes are horrible here this year too!

we use that as well. and copious amts of bug spray b/c once dd is bitten she gets a HUGE welt - as in silver dollar size from 1 bite

[egoldber]

I react strongly and the only thing that helps is Benadryl.

[kayte]

DD gets huge welts as well. We use benedryl cream.

[pinkmomagain]

I react strongly and the only thing that helps is Benadryl.

Beth,

Orally or do you use the topical Benadryl on the bites?

[egoldber]

I use oral. I have tried the cream and it did not really work for me.

[Snow mom]

I've been using hot water for the last few years. If you put the bite under running hot water (as hot as you can stand) it will itch like crazy and then the itch will be gone for several hours. The hot water does something with the histamines-- I always imagine that it explodes them I wouldn't recommend using hot water for a young child though.

[lovin2shop]

I just picked up a tube of After Bite for Kids at our CVS the other day and it really works well to relieve the itching, I even use it myself. I can't remember the active ingredient right now, but it didn't concern me when I read the label.

[Thatchermom]

After an especially bad attack a few years ago, my sister and I spent forever researching odd internet remedies to take our minds off the itching. The only two that worked:

Some deoderants helped for a few hours. Hers didn't, mine did. (Suave soft solid)

The clear winner made sense in the end, though it was weird. Preparation H, we liked the cooling gel the best. It IS meant to relieve swelling and itch, after all! I'd have to think about using it on my kids, I didn't read the label that closely. It was for us at the time!