Insect bites

Try asking in Culpeppers - they do natural oils, and I can't recall which one it is at the moment, but one reduces itching in bites.
I'll try to find out for you I think it's safe for pregnant peeps.

Lavender oil - which is safe for pregnancy Dab a little on your bite, and it'll help soothe the itching

http://www.culpeper.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000 ... 5a#a29865a

Depends on the insect bite, but vinegar might work, as might bicarbobnate of soda (baking soda), it depends on the bite/sting. Also calamine lotion. Check alternatves with the pharmacist.

If you go to a camping or outdoor shop they sell ingenious little devices that create an alternative sensation that reduces the itching. They are very small, about the size of a penny and about an inch and a bit long. You put it over the bite and click it, it creates a tiny electric current which dulls the itching, like scratching but without lacerating your skin. I have one which I have used at times because I'm quite sensitive to insect bites. Buut it is so small it gets lots in my bag. It will not harm you. Compared to finger prick tests, it really does not hurt.

If you want to go outdoors, try burning citronella patio candles.

You could also try googling the kind of bites you have.

Try Aloe Vera Gel from holland and barratt. It's fab for insect bites and sunburn. Keep it in the fridge. The relief is wonderful. I always have some in the fridge and it's fab for burns.

Caitycakes x

Keep the bites cool. Ice cube them. If you get hot, they itch worse.

Spiral said:

If you go to a camping or outdoor shop they sell ingenious little devices that create an alternative sensation that reduces the itching. They are very small, about the size of a penny and about an inch and a bit long. You put it over the bite and click it, it creates a tiny electric current which dulls the itching, like scratching but without lacerating your skin. I have one which I have used at times because I'm quite sensitive to insect bites. Buut it is so small it gets lots in my bag. It will not harm you. Compared to finger prick tests, it really does not hurt.
.

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heh, a girl we met on holiday in Sri Lanka had one of these - she claimed to have got quite addicted to it by the end of the week. It was the joke in our 'group' that you could hear the clicking that followed her, before you saw her But yes, she said it worked very well.

I must remember to take it to scotland with me this year. I was eaten alive last year and Scottish midges are in a class of their own, itch-wise :shock:

Hi, before I had T2 I used to ignore insect bites but now I put something on them because once I didn't and it nearly turned into cellulitis. Just from a stupid bite! I usually use antihistamine cream (I know you can't use that at the moment). I had a bite this week which I put the cream on twice and then during the next day it swelled up quite a bit. After that I dabbed surgical spirit on it and that worked much better. It has gone now. I think surgical spirit is harmless but as you are pregnant perhaps you should check. It is cheap too! I also use it on any cuts and scrapes and also use it if athletes foot flares up. I have only ever been bitten by flies so I don't know about stings e.g. wasps, bees. On the day the bite flared up I was actually out for the day having a Nuclear Bone Scan. After the injection of radioactive stuff you have to go away for 3 hours so I walked about a lot to kill time. It was during this time that I noticed the bite looked very swollen (it was a very warm day). I actually went to A & E but the queue was moving so slowly and the room was so hot that I left without seeing anyone (I did tell reception). That's how concerned I was.

hi, when I was in OZ i used teatree oil, its marvellous stuff!! just dab it on the stings regularly.If you are swollen and bruised try arnica gel on the surrounding areas. You can also buy a bite buster thingy, it clicks on the bite and gives like a small electric shock, it really takes the itch out. All these are avaialable from Boots and most chemists/supermarkets, Holland and Barretts and health food places. Shouldn't be a problem and I have never had any reactions and I am a allergic sort of gal!

Chrissie

Hi,
the insect bites may actually be related to your diabetes in a roundabout way. There was a study done at Warwick University which showed diabetics 1 & 2 to be deficient in Thiamine (vitamin B1). One of the consequences of the deficiency is to be prone to reactions of insect bites. Apparently it works as an insect repellent. I've taken a high dose supplement from Holland & Barret for 2 years now-I used to be eaten alive in spring/summer months, i've noticed a big improvement. Of course you should check with your doctor as you are pregnant, but Thiamine is water-soluble and not stored by the body, so isn't harmful.
Before I discovered this, I used to think insects were just attracted to the sugar in my sweat!
Best of luck
Jus

I've got one of those clicky things - and they really do work.

Great preventative for midgie bites is to spray all over with skin so soft oil spray from avon. Guaranteed to keep the midgies away. Might work for other insects too.

Caitycakes x

caitycakes1 said:

Great preventative for midgie bites is to spray all over with skin so soft oil spray from avon. Guaranteed to keep the midgies away. Might work for other insects too.

Caitycakes x

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That stuff stinks. I rememebr using it in my bath oh so briefly in the 1970s :shock: :shock:

I remember it is mineral oil based. It really didn't feel nice on my skin, so a lose/lose situation for me, even if the bugs dislike it.

I have always been attractive to insects. Even pre-diabetes. Bugs the world over love me, I'm a walking bug cafe.

Hallo, I got very badly bitten in Scotland this year and still have red marks (almost bleeding) on my skin. This topic is very interesting as it seems possible that its to do with my type 2 Diabetes.

I seem to bleed easily and heal very very slowly too. If that is due to the Diabetes is there anything I can do to help this condition? My arms are such a mess! WEill the marks ever go?
Thanks Winifred

One thing that works for me is toothpaste!
It seems to take the itch out of the bite and help control the swelling.
Can look a bit odd though
Good to apply before bedtime to keep the itches away over night.
Also good to apply as soon as you are bitten - it can prevent a lump developing.

Skin So Soft bath oil from Avon for us. Smells good, softens skin. We live in paradise on the south coast of NSW Australia so of course so do the sand flies! From October through to Easter we never step outside without it applied to our legs or we have nasty itchy bites which itch and itch and weep for weeks. Bath oil and they don't come near us.