Saw the doctor today about my ant bites and for my six month check-up.
By PearlGrace
@PearlGrace (3171)
United States
August 27, 2008 2:35pm CST
The doctor looked at my ant bites and said they look like they are healing well and there is no swelling. So, I didn't have to get a shot or medicine for them. She said I was no doubt allergic, but it wasn't a serious allergy because I don't have all the respiratory symptoms of not being able to breathe.
She did advise me to keep Zyrtec in the house--it's an antihistamine--so that the next time I get bit by something that itches me, I can take that instead of the Benadryl. The Zyrtec is a little stronger than the Benadryl, is non-drowsy, and you only have to take it once a day! Way better than the Benadryl. And, she told me to get some Sarta Lotion to use when I get a bite or feel itchy. Both of these medications are over the counter. As I get bit by anything and everything down here, I'm definitely going to purchase both of these meds.
Have you heard of these medications--Zyrtec and Sarta Lotion? Have you ever used either or both of them? What do you think of them? Were they effective? If you haven't heard of these meds, what do you use instead when you are itchy?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I am glad to hear that your doing much better! I have heard of the Syrtec before , but not the Sarta lotion.. Have you used the lotion yet? What does it smell like?
Can you get the Zyrtec over the counter or do you have to have a Prescreption?
I have been known to just suffer it out for the most part when itchy. @PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Hello Louise.
Thanks. I spelled it wrong in my initial discussion. It is SarNa, not sarta. No, I've not purchased the lotion yet so I don't know what it smells like. I'll try to start a discussion about it once I get it. Yes, both of the medicines are over the counter, so that's good. I am so relieved to find out the there's over the counter stuff to relieve itching, because I itch alot!
Thanks for joining in on this discussion.
1 person likes this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Hi LouiseKnittel.
I am letting you know that I've now purchased the SarNa. I spelled it with a "t" but that was wrong, it should be an "n", so it's SarNa. Anyhoo, I just put some of the lotion on and it smells a little menthol and it has camphor in it. It smells like a very, very mild BenGay, if you know what that is. And it has a very slight cooling sensation when it's first applied, I barely felt a coolness. And, no, it's over the counter but a little expensive ($10.79) at the Walgreens. It has a very nice softening effect for the skin. I think it's going to be very helpful for me. Take care. Hope you try it.
1 person likes this
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Yes I know what Ben-Gay smells like. I am glad that you like it! Your right almost 11.00 is a little pricey,, * but, I am also cheap !! LOL*
@ellie333 (21016)
•
27 Aug 08
Hi PearlGrace, Naughty girl waiting until Wednesday!!! I know you did say you would go to doctor Monday only if they got worse, I was worried becasue your ankle was swelling too. Pleased to here that your doctor has suggested something else to have on hand that will be more immediately effective if (I hope you are not) bitten by the ants again. Huggles. Ellie :D
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Hello Ellie.
Well, I got in the pool on Sunday and in 30 minutes, all the swelling went down and the itching disappeared. It was amazing. I said before that I think the chlorine in the water helps bug bites. Anyway, I was greatly relieved after that day. So, I made sure to get in the pool Mon. morning and I knew that it was not going to be necessary to see the doctor that day. I also swam a little bit Tuesday before going to work.
By the time I got to the doctor today, there was no real itching and no swelling at all. She could see where the bites were but said they weren't infected. Yes, I will stock our medicine cabinet with the 2 meds she recommended. No more itching for me!! Thank you for your concerns. Yes, I am a naughty girl...
Double huggles.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Hi Jill.
I said, "sarta" but it's actually "sarna". The Sarna lotion is actually an anti-itch lotion. That is the purpose of Sarna lotion, according to my doctor. Glad to hear the Zyrtec works well.
Thanks for the good thoughts, Jill.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I take zyrtec for my allegies and especally for my sinuses. I take it before I go to sleep at night and for something that isn't supposed to make me drosy, works like a sleeping pill just fine for abot 8 hours and then I'm fine for the rest of the day. Never have used Sarta Lotion. Took zyrtec until last month. My sinuses and their problems seem to have become immune to them since I took it for over 10 years. Itchy, I use aloe vera (have two plants at my house), jewelweed (grows outdoors at my house), baking soda paste, oatmeal, neosporin cream, triple anti-biotic cream--I go in the woods a lot some days and get into all kinds of stuff probably covered with pollen sometimes. So I've tried all different things--including honey! Zyrtec worked good for my sinuses for 10 years, but I have to take it at night. But then my body reacts differently to meds than most people. good luck, hope you feel all better soon and take care.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
29 Aug 08
Hi writersedge.
It's good to hear a testimonial from someone who's taken Zyrtec for 10 years. Sorry to hear it sort of stopped working. Oh gosh, I'm sort of disappointed to hear it helps you sleep as I seriously want something I can take during the day. I just hate that Benadryl. It makes me fall asleep within an hour of taking it.
I spelled the name of the lotion incorrectly (wouldn't you know it?). It's SarNa, not a "t". Sorry about that. I need to get me an aloe vera plant, as much as I itch. I'm sure they're all over down here. Heck, for all I know, my husband's probably planted one in our "jungle" (the lot we own next door, he plants up like a park).
Anyhoo, thanks for all the suggestions on non-itch stuff. I've tried the Benadryl cream and Neosporin but they didn't work for me. I've heard of the baking soda and oatmeal pastes, but never done it. Never heard of jewelweed either.
Thank you for the get well wishes. And I am, in fact, all better now. You take care, too.
