Bug Bite Relief

jamurfjr

jamurfjr

Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
30
Not too long ago, I took a trip to Mexico. While staying in the "jungle" around the Palenque ruins, a critter or critters shared my sleeping bag with me (arthropod envenomation of some kind). Don't know what the hell it or they were, but I hurt like hell the morning after. In truth, I really felt violated.
:rolleyes:

This experience has prompted me to do some research on products designed to alleviate the pain and itch associated with stings/bites: you know,the ointments,creams,extractor pumps,etc. All and any contributions concerning the aforementioned is encouraged.

And please don't tell me to apply insect repellant more generously and more often. Come to think of it, pehaps I should have.:D
 
For most bug bites, I take an antihistamine (Benadryl) & rub the bite with a paste of Adolph's meat tenderizer and water. Adoph's contains enzymes from papaya, they 'break down' the bug goo. Rubbing a cut onion on the bite will help if Adoph's or Papaya isn't available, onion releases another enzyme the bugbite won't enjoy. Antihistimes serve to counteract the histimines the body releases fighting bug goo.

Watch anyone who's been stung/bit for anaphylactic shock (my Dad is prone to this, which is why I know something about bug bite care). 'The Extractor' is a bug bite/bee sting kit that you can carry, if bug bites become a recurring problem.

And I won't say that it couldn't hurt to carry some extra DEET. I'd be a lot more willing to make fun of ya if I hadn't had a copperhead crawl in my sleeping bag with me one night. Nothing like waking up with a 'cold wiggly spot' between your shoulderblades, and smelling cucumbers, sez I.
 
I don't know about other bug bites but for mosquito bites that itch - try putting anti-perspirant on them. I don't know what the active ingredient is but it works.
 
One more trick. For chigger bites, take a hot bath. Then dab the bites with peroxide, alchohol, or betadine, whatever. Squeeze a couple of vitamin E capsules and use the oil inside to rub the bites. I understand that clear nail polish or 'second skin' also works. It seems the chigger bores in thru our skin and leaves an 'air pipe' to the outside. Use the E oil, second skin' or nail polish to close that pipe. (Best way I've found to prevent chigger and tick bites? Shake 'flowers of sulfur' on your socks and shoetops before going into the blackberry patch.)

A tip from the days when I kept bees. Be sure you pull out the stinger if a bee nails you, take your Benadryl, cover the sting with a paste of baking soda and water.
 
So TexasCarl,

Did you fall back asleep? :p ...or what other course of action did you take re the Copperhead?
 
Sat up, grabbed a boot and used it to bash the little rascal to death. I never got out of the bag, but it took 5 minutes to get back to sleep after that, I'll admit.
 
pre-bite lemon eucalyptus stuff availiable at walmart


after bite tiger balm works so well it is unbelieveable. when I was in india and thailand where mosquitoes not only hurt they kill. tiger balm was very effective against itching.


down here they are the most painful I have experienced though I heard alaska has mosquitoes with extra thick stingers for bear hide I guess.
 
The responses to my intial post were all excellent. I extend my thanks to all that replied.

Chrisaloia: I too have been to Thailand--wish I were there now.

"Come you back you [non-Brit, civilian], come you back to [Thailand]."

Ahh...South East Asia...home to many dangerous things.In which, both the Anopholine and Ades genre of mosquito reside. One constitutes the vector of malaria, the other dengue fever.

After a brief a excursion to Huahin, I experienced a dengue "scare". It turns out that I had only contracted a streptococcus infection of the throat--accompanied by a high fever of course...sure as hell felt like break-bone fever to me.

There is no tellin' where I picked up the bug, perhaps in the cesspool Gulf of Thailand(actually, it was quite beautiful), or maybe from all those prostitutes...um...I mean virtuous women who threw themselves at me :) (j/k, mongamously invoved at the time, i.e. I was unable to ditch her).

After spending two thousand baht,undergoing an endoscopy, and having a giggling Thai nurse give me an intramuscular antibiotic injection in the ass, a doctor back in Bangkok put my fears to rest.

I suppose I should also mention that I spent a lot of time worrying about coming down with malaria. I went to Thailand without any antimalarial whatsoever. I'm aware that many drug-resistant strains of malaria exist in that region; however, I'm convinced that even Chloroquine is better than nothing. From my understanding, Deoxcycline is purportedly the most effective antimalaria to date.

One more thing: Chrisaloia, what was your EDC in Thailand?
 
Living up here in Sask, Canada, there are plenty of bees and mosquitos.

I simply carry Aloe paste. By growing aloe indoors all yr, I have it readily accessable. In the yard and stung, walk inside and hack off a piece. In the bush I just dab juice from the small container I carry.

smells nice and doesn't attract bugs like some things(ie pitstick). Also useful for many other ailments in the bush.

Another nice trick is the carry Garlic. Slice one in half and spead the juice all over the cuts and bites.
 
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