Whats the best way to combat mosquito bites?

[Superrock]

I absolutely hate getting mosquito bites but I'm going camping near a lake and so expecting to get bitten a lot. Ill be wearing two forms of bug repellent but I still think I'm gonna get bitten. What you guys think are the best forms of mosquito relief for after you get bitten? What have you tried and what worked best for you?

So far I read the following remedies on the internet:

Topical:

hot water= burning itching then no more itch because you oversaturated area with histamines.Benedryl Xtr strength
Licorice oil
Baking Soda
Toothpaste
Ammonia
Afterbit Extra(Baking Soda+Ammonia)
Crushed Tums
Vicks Vapor Rub
Deodorant
antihistamine ointment
corticosteroids
Aloe Vera
calamine lotion

Oral:
Claritin/antihistamines

I think I'm going to try the
1. hot water first
2. then ammonia/baking soda or After Bite
3. then try Benedryl if it doesnt stop
4. then try something stronger if that doesnt work.

 

[CrackRabbit]

All of the above, at once.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

This might sound a little crazy but get some of these:

http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/sheets.jsp

I was getting mosquito bites left and right because some dickhead neighbor of ours decided to let his pool turn into a swamp. So I put a couple of these around my bed. After that the bites stopped completely. If you are out at night, put one in your back pocket.

 

[irishScott]

Mosquito net?

As for creams, I use Benedryl(sp?) to take care of the itch.

Hot water has a similar effect. It causes the pores to open up and release all the crap that's causing the itch. However, in my experience the water has to be really fricken hot (as in scalding/burning) for it to have any decent effect, and it's just a short term solution.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
All of the above, at once.

*Looks at username*
*Looks at post*

'nuff said

 

[George P Burdell]

DDT

 

[Captante]

(1) The only thing thats ever actually been proven to prevent mosquito's from biting is bug repellent which contains DEET & the higher the percentage the more effective it will be ... the best stuff I ever used is the original formula Muskol which contains nearly 100% DEET & there are other similar products available.

(2) Nothing topical will completely stop the itching of a mosquito bite aside from time or scratching it till it bleeds (not a good idea!), but numbing products like Ben-Gay will help the most ... you can also try Benedryl cream.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Zeppelin2282
This might sound a little crazy but get some of these:

http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/sheets.jsp

I was getting mosquito bites left and right because some dickhead neighbor of ours decided to let his pool turn into a swamp. So I put a couple of these around my bed. After that the bites stopped completely. If you are out at night, put one in your back pocket.

Any reasoning behind that?

Does it have to be downy?

 

[Colt45]

rock the DEET hard

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Zeppelin2282
This might sound a little crazy but get some of these:

http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/sheets.jsp

I was getting mosquito bites left and right because some dickhead neighbor of ours decided to let his pool turn into a swamp. So I put a couple of these around my bed. After that the bites stopped completely. If you are out at night, put one in your back pocket.

Any reasoning behind that?

Does it have to be downy?

It can be any brand. My mom said she read about it in a magazine and told me to try it. I have no clue about the reasoning behind it...sure as hell works though :thumbsup:

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
All of the above, at once.

*Looks at username*
*Looks at post*

'nuff said

poor CrackRabbit...i've seen this happen to him so often...


and OP, fabric softeners ftw. tuck one under the back of your cap if you're wearing one, will keep them away from your face

 

[Rogeee]

I am a very avid camper and have found only two chemicals that work at repelling mosquitos, DEET and Alligator pherimone repellent,the latter I use on my children in fear of damaging their delicate bodies with DEET.