How to stop an insect-bite itch

@JudyEv (381813)
Rockingham, Australia
July 20, 2017 6:51am CST
We stayed three nights with Australian friends who, at the moment, are living in a small village in France. At some time, our friend was bitten by a mosquito and he put a hot spoon on the bite, claiming that it stopped the itch. I had never heard of that before but a few days later Vince got bitten by some sort of tiny insect and, as it was itching badly, he tried placing a hot spoon on it. According to him, it stopped the itching at the time and although the itch returned later it wasn’t nearly so bad. Perhaps if he’d applied a hot spoon again, it might have got rid of the itch completely. So that’s my helpful hint for the day. I’d be interested to know if it helps anyone else. The photo has nothing to do with itching but is of some Australian bike-riders that we met in the Pyrenees.
18 people like this
22 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
20 Jul 17
I am allergic to mosquito bites and a hot spoon is of no help, but a Gel I buy in France is very good, the name is Apaisyl, it is also antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, a lot better than a hot spoon. I ask every year to my friend who visit from Monte-Carlo to bring here 4 tubes of Apaisyl, it's the only product that works for me.
6 people like this
vanny
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
21 Jul 17
Why do you do that...instead may be you can look at what is the main component in that gel, and look for local product perhaps. Isothipendyl chlorhydrate
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
20 Jul 17
@JudyEv I am glad too, when I go out to water the garden late in the evening those little vampires are waiting for me.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
I am sure if you have an allergy a hot spoon wouldn't be of much use to you. It's good you have found a product that works.
1 person likes this
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
20 Jul 17
So many bugs, so many different kinds of bites. The spider bite that I had didn't stop itching until I got antibiotics. That was months ago and I still have a huge lump on my leg and it's still hard as a rock.
4 people like this
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
20 Jul 17
@JudyEv I think the doc would have warned me - lol. I was on meds. He said it would take a long time for the hardness to go away.
1 person likes this
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
22 Jul 17
It would be more effective to simply not get bitten in the first place.
2 people like this
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
22 Jul 17
@JudyEv Yes, mosquitoes are like evil little stealth vampires.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
That's true but sometimes these things happen.
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jul 17
Lately I've been gettin bit by these tiny black gnat like insects that leave a huge welt that really itches so I use a paste of vinegar and baking soda .... the only time I couldn't do that is when the damn thing bit me close to my eye.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Jul 17
It does if your patient enough to let the mixture sit on the bite @JudyEv it also helps if there's someone around to apply it to the odd places those damn things bite like on the back of the leg, I have trouble when they bite me there.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
That sounds like a solution that would work too.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
@rebelann I sometimes put a Band-Aid on bites as I find it stops me scratching so much.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (56195)
• Canada
20 Jul 17
Thanks for sharing this, I think that I'll try to remember this little trick the next time one of us gets an insect bite.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
We have a cream we use but it doesn't seem very effective.
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Jul 17
Never heard of that one before. I'll have to try it.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
It's pretty simple to use and great if it works.
1 person likes this
Sreekala
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
20 Jul 17
I think any kind of itching may get some relief by applying hot substance. Hot spoon is seems to be an easy method.
2 people like this
Sreekala
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
21 Jul 17
@JudyEv Definitely.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
I guess just for a single bite a hot spoon would be an easy solution.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
20 Jul 17
Aw...I need this one...I am going to share with my princess' family. Princess has that problem. Just wanted to know how hot and whether it needs to stay there, and how long, and can we use hot water to heath the spoon..
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
21 Jul 17
@JudyEv .. Thank you for letting me know that...I am sure my little friend would be happy. :)
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
I just held a spoon under hot water for a short time. It shouldn't be so hot as to burn and as long as it's not burning, just leave it on the bite for a short time.
1 person likes this
Shavkat
@Shavkat (141906)
• Philippines
20 Jul 17
I think it is better to use an ointment. I am number one enemy of mosquitos.lol
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
We've tried different creams but they don't seem to work very well.
1 person likes this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 17
That fog in your photo reminds me of the eerie fog I encountered the other morning going in to work. It was very unusual to have fog here in Florida in the summertime. Made it feel really spooky! I've never come across any homemade remedies for stopping insect bit itches, so I'll have to give the hot spoon a try. I've always just used an anti-itching lotion. But I would prefer a natural remedy if I could find something that works.
1 person likes this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jul 17
@JudyEv That is true. Most of the time the anti-itch lotion doesn't work.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
Half the time I can never find our anti-itch stuff and I'm not sure it really works anyway.
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
20 Jul 17
The things you learn here on myLot are amazing. I will definitely have to try this. The mosquitoes love me, I'm not sure why but if there is one anywhere in the area, it makes a beeline straight for me.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
Some people really seem to attract mosquitoes. Perhaps you have nice sweet blood.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 17
@HazySue And what does he say to that?
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
23 Jul 17
@JudyEv that's what I tell my husband.
1 person likes this
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
20 Jul 17
It sounds worth a try. I never heard of that before.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
I hadn't heard of it before either. We have a cream called Stop Itch but it doesn't always work in stopping the itching.
Hanni Harel
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
25 Sep 17
Thanks Judy. That was very interesting and one I have not heard of so far.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Sep 17
Vince has tried it and says it helps. I haven't yet - still waiting for something to bite me!
Hanni Harel
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
27 Sep 17
@JudyEv I am glad it helped Vince. I hate being stung or bitten so I hope they do not land on me and want a piece of me. Flies are bad enough. They are so annoying.
1 person likes this
Dollar Boy
@dollaboy (6048)
•
20 Jul 17
Apply Some natural herbs
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 17
That's a good idea too.
1 person likes this
Dollar Boy
@dollaboy (6048)
•
21 Jul 17
@JudyEv hope you're fine
Inlemay
@Inlemay (17712)
• South Africa
21 Jul 17
You must have been parallel to many Tour de France riders somewhere along your path
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
We were mostly just ahead I think but they've gone away from us now. Some things just become too difficult to coordinate.
1 person likes this
James Higgins
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jul 17
Anne is suffering from some bites when we sat outside on the patio night before last. I'll get a nice hot spoon for her.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 17
It sounds too simple to work but I guess anything is worth a try. Toothpaste is supposed to be good too.
Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Jul 17
Wow, that's trippy @JudyEv . It would be my luck the spoon would be so hot, I'd burn the skin.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
You need to make sure the spoon isn't hot enough to hurt.
1 person likes this
Angie
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Jul 17
I was a feast for the skeeters today.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
Some days they can be really bad.
@acelawrites
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
20 Jul 17
It can be a good first aid technique, but one should have an anti-bug repellant like citronella oil to prevent insect bites.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
That's the best thing to do of course but it is nice to have something to relieve the itching if you do get bitten.
Kandase
@Kandae11 (57233)
•
20 Jul 17
I'll keep that tip in mind and try it next time I am bitten by a mosquito.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
We have mosquitoes at home from time to time and the bites seem to make more of an impression than they used to.