Insect bites - How to protect and treat

        Insect bites - How to protect and treat       



 

Everyone's least favorite part of summer...insect bites! From mosquitos to chiggers and mites, prevention is crucial to enjoying your time outside. Try to wear lightly colored protective clothing and wear insect repellant with DEET (unfortunately, other repellents just don't seem to do the trick).
If you are bitten, avoid scratching as this will only worsen and perpetuate the itchiness and keep the itch-scratch cycle going. A few other suggestions for those itchy bites:

• Oral antihistamines such as Claritin and topical cortisones, which are available at all major retail and drug stores
• Cool compresses can really help calm the itching.
• Avoid hot water and showers.
• Sarna lotion can be kept in the refrigerator and is very soothing.
• Try to avoid topical Benadryl as quite a few patients can become allergic to this topical.

Your dermatologist can also prescribe medications to help the itch subside faster. Consult a doctor if the bite is draining yellow drainage, if the surrounding redness is expanding, or if you develop systemic symptoms like fever, body aches, other rashes, etc.