Comments on: Are You Allergic to Mosquito Bites?

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:05:52 +0000

I’m also one of those that has a massive reaction to mosquito bites–big welts. I’m a little surprised, since the writer of the article mentioned this was an allergic reaction, that he didn’t recommend Benadryl to counteract the itch.

This has worked wonders for me. The minute I notice I have bites, I take Benadryl every 4-6 hours for a few days. It counteracts the itch until I get over the hump of the itchniess. It also seems to help me get over the bites more quickly than without this treatment.

I’ve used over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams and other anti-itch creams, but the Benadryl has worked so much better for me.

By: PAD

PAD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:26:05 +0000

so, do you give an epipen or twinject if someone has a positive skin test to mosquito?

The skeeter reaction is similar to large locals you get with bees and is not a skin infection (thus no antibiotics needed)

By: Dai

Dai — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:06:14 +0000

Mosquitoes love me, and I have the bites to prove it when I’m not properly prepared with DEET. Inexpensive over the counter hydrocortisone cream has been very affective in keeping the itch at bay for me, and with the itch contained, the bite area heals faster instead of constantly being scratched raw. I will attest the ‘Skin So Soft’ actual bug repellant product (not the regular ‘Skin So Soft’ bathing stuff) does work around Harpers Ferry, WV, along the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers’ region to repel the bugs. Unfortunately, Avon’s Skin So Soft bug repellant doesn’t work as well down in North Carolina where I’ve re-located. Also geraniums, citronella, basil, rosemary, and mint plants generate an aroma that mosquitoes don’t like…best to have a perimeter of these plants around the outside play/social areas of the home. The only way to trigger the smell is to shake the plants a little every so many minutes while outside. The pennyroyal oil 7:1 mix sounds like a promising natural solution and alternative to DEET…I’ll try it, thanks!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:05:52 +0000

I am acutely allergic to mosquito bites. I ge huge welts about the size of half dollars, a huge bump at the site that turns bright red, and can itch for days, disappear, and then reappear a week later and continue to itch. This summer after reading an article on the internet, I tried the suggestions in that article and have found that taking Zyrtec every day (even if I don’t feel like I need it for allergies), and treating any bites immediately with Extra Strength Afterbite, which can be found in many drug stores and chain stores, will reduce the swelling, itching and longevity of the effects of bites. It was amazing how well this works. This is the first summer in years that I have been relatively comfortable, despite living in an area that is infested with mosquitoes. I have been bitten, but not had anywhere near the reactions as in the past. It’s worth a try.

By: moses

moses — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:53:21 +0000

The article has brought to an end my long journey of suffering from musiquito bites. I will try out the defensive measures this coming dusk. God bless.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:05:11 +0000

My 2.5 yr old daughter is highly allergic…so much so we’ve taken her 2x to the emergency room and been prescribed Keflex. Our pediatrician recommeded Avon’s “Skin So Soft”. Jury is still out on that as we’ve just resigned to keep her indoors and covered! And the newly prescribed Epi Pen is always within grabbing distance.

The odd thing is that neither her mom nor I have a severe allergy to the bites.

By: libby

libby — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:22:09 +0000

The best treatment for mosquito bites – spray the bite area immediately with lidocaine and aloe sunburn gel. Keeps the swelling down and minimizes the itching.

By: Nabuquduriuzhur

Nabuquduriuzhur — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:22:45 +0000

I’ve used a strong (7:1) mix of water:pennyroyal oil since 1999. It smells a LOT better than deet and unless you are pregnant, or drink the entire bottle, it has no potential to do you harm. My first test of the combo was silly: I was hiking the Rogue and put a bottle of it in my pack. New spraybottle and it all leaked out the morning of the first day into my pack. Whooosh. Too much of any smell, no matter how pleasant, can be bad. Didn’t see a mosquito for 3 days. When the smell finally wore off, though, by the night of the fourth day, it was mosquito chomp time. More than 50 bites that first night. Yick.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:01:56 +0000

I too have severe reactions and always thought I was allergic to the bites, only to have someone tell me I was wrong, that we ALL were allergic to them. My bites swell and form blisters and pus will come out of the “head” of them as well. One of my sons suffers the same type of reaction.

By: lisa

lisa — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:18:51 +0000

Thank You! I always had severe reactions to bites as a child. I seem to have “grown out of it” but see my son and niece suffer the same response. I have had many people tell me I am being silly, EVERYONE is “allergic” to mosquitos and when you try to expalin they roll their eyes. “I get bumps too” Now I feel a slight vindication in your words.