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![woman lies under mosquito netting](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/bug-bites-skirts-interviews-weddings.jpg)
How do you deal with insect bites — both preventing them as well as keeping yourself from scratching at them? If you have any big events (for work or play, like an interview or a wedding), do you cover them?
I recently got bitten (allllllllll over my legs), and so this has been a matter of interest. (And I think all of my searches comparing different bug bites has resulted in my getting all the targeted ads!!) (I think it was mosquitoes, with an outside possibility of a poison oak rash.)
We haven't talked about this in a super long time (back when a reader wondered how to look professional and cover her bug bitten legs) — so let's discuss. (Somewhat amusingly, reader comments in 2009 all said things like “I can't believe I'm saying this, but wear a pantsuit instead of a skirt suit.”)
![collage of 11 products to deal with insect bites; see caption for details](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/the-best-products-to-deal-with-insect-bites.png)
How to Prevent Insect Bites
Preventing Insect Bites at Your Home
![collage of 4 products to prevent insect bites at your home](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/how-to-prevent-insect-bites-at-your-home.png)
We bought this highly-recommended Thermacell mosquito repelling device — it's pretty small and has a zillion positive reviews. It does have to be charged, though, and somehow we always seem to forget to bring it outside with us when we go (or when we do remember, it isn't charged). We also have a Dynatrap running during summer months, which does seem to do a pretty good job of preventing mosquitos (I don't remember our exact model). Two other things that I've tried: these LED bug light bulbs, which I think are working well because I kind of forgot that we're using them, and (if it's just mosquitos), small fans can also keep away mosquitoes because they're pretty weak when it comes to flying (this is the one pictured at top).
How to Prevent Insect Bites on the Go
![collage of 3 products to prevent insect bites on the go](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/how-to-prevent-bug-bites-on-the-go.png)
I've bought various bracelet bands and stickers over the years, particularly when the kids were small — I'm not a big fan of how they smell, but I think the next time I go out to eat on a rainy day I'll try to loop one around my ankle. (Am I the only one who gets eaten alive while eating outside at restaurants?) I don't remember exactly which brand we've bought, but this one looks like a good one to try. I remember not liking the stickers when the kids were small, but I might try this brand with citronella oil. (Ohhhh – I love that they show it stuck on a plastic part of a stroller, that would have been a better solution when my boys were young.)
When we remembered to spray ourselves, we did like this spray — it didn't smell too awful, and it seemed to keep the bugs away.
How to Deal with Itching from Insect Bites
![collage of 3 products to relieve itching from insect bites](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/how-to-relieve-itching.png)
This was the part that killed me — I haaaate the itching. I tried to put Cortizone cream on the individual spots and wear pants when the weather allowed (it was hot!). It's of limited help, but something else you can do is scratch a non-bitten part of your body, like your arm — I think you get the satisfied feeling of scratching something without threat of breaking open more skin.
In the aftermath of my recent bug bite palooza, though, I had texted some of the girlfriends I'd been dining with, and one of them swears by StingEze — it arrived too late for me to try it during the height of my itchiness, but it's in my arsenal for next time. Ditto for this weird suction product, The Bug Bite Thing, which appeals to me because it doesn't contain any chemicals; instead it removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants. (That one found me on social media!)
How to Cover Up Insect Bites
![collage of 3 body makeup products to cover insect bites, tattoos, or veins](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/how-to-cover-insect-bites.png)
Obviously, your focus should be on healing the skin — plus no one wants to slather your legs with concealer. But if you have a big event coming up like a wedding or an interview, I've heard good things about this waterproof body concealer, but haven't tried it yet myself. You might also want to try this summer shine body lotion. (Oh, and I forgot that Sally Hansen makes a leg makeup product as well, and this Dermablend body foundation also has SPF 25.)
Readers, what are your best products and tips to deal with bug bites, whether it's preventing them, relieving a bug bite's itch, or covering up insect bites?
BB
I am this horrible combo of very attractive to biting bugs and also reacting very badly to them. If there’s a half inch of skin without repellent, I will be bitten. And all bites turn into blisters for me regardless of whether I scratch them.
My current aftercare routine is to use prescription steroid ointment. It calms the itch much better than OTC, although doesn’t do much about the swelling/blister. Then honestly I just wait it out. If it blisters, I cover it with an appropriate band aid.
Anon
I’m your sister. I’m the tastiest thing mosquitoes have ever seen – I’m like Bella to their Edward. And then I get a huge, itchy swelling and a mark that can last 2-3 weeks. I also have an outsize reaction to poison oak – like a course of steroids reaction. I wonder if they’re related.
I have some Rx steroid cream that I hadn’t thought about using for bug bites – I’m going to take your advice!
PK
I have found Avon Bug Guard Plus Picaridin repellent to be very effective. They make towelettes that are wasteful but very convenient to stash in a bag if you need bug repellent unexpectedly. Dermoplast is great for bug bite itch relief.
KS IT Chick
Bikini Zone lidocaine topical analgesic gel.
The other thing I had do that works is to heat the back of a spoon under the hottest tapwater possible, and then press it against the bug bite. Keep repeating that until the itch diffuses. The inflamed area start to go down and the itch will dissipate.
anonymoose
okay this is magic but be careful about your total dose of antihistamines with this:
I take a liquid-gel of benadryl/diphenhydramine, snip the tip with a pair of scissors, squeeze a drop of the thick liquid onto my fingertip, and smear it on the bite.
sometimes it is so effective that the bite feels numb… but at least I can fall asleep this way. I repeat the squeeze-and-smear process in the middle of the night when I wake up and am tempted to scratch again. (it might help to use a wet wipe to remove the previous stuff first, but IME it doesn’t matter much)
the reason for caution is that when combined with oral diphenhydramine, this could add up to a big dose of Benadryl, so please pay attention to your total dose.
elizabeth
I use this device for bites. It helps burn out the venom? Not sure how it works, but it does.
https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Free-Treatment-Symptom-Itching-Eligible/dp/B0B9WPCHPZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=bite+away+insect+sting+and+bite+electronic+relief&qid=1661299142&sprefix=bite+away%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTFg5UDhCNk9aTVQzJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODUwODIxMU5KREtFOUxLTFVHUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTQ1OTQ5MVQ4Q0ZKWVNGRjlYNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=