Got Itchy Bug Bites?

Mosquitoes eating you alive this Summer? Here’s what to do:

⭐️ Mosquito saliva triggers a Histamine response in your skin, which makes bites red, swollen, & itchy.

✅ Use a TOPICAL ANTIHISTAMINE such as @benadrylusa spray, which also cools the skin ❄️ to relieve itch.

✅ You can also use ICE or an ICEPACK 🧊 but keep it moving to avoid frostbite!

✅ An all-natural alternative is @boiron CALENDULA CREAM, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient.

✅ If it’s very itchy, an ANTIHISTAMINE PILL may help. I recommend Allegra 24 Hour to my patients because it’s non-drowsy. You could add a Benadryl pill before bed if itching keeps you up at night.

✅ Keep bites covered with a HYDROCOLLOID BANDAGE to protect from scratching and help avoid infection & scarring.

✅ If it’s very swollen & painful, I examine patients in my office to make sure it’s not infected, then I often INJECT DILUTE CORTISONE into the bite which shrinks the swelling in a day.

✅ PREVENTION is the best protection, so this summer I’m using OFF! Clean Feel bug spray. It’s non-oily, odor-free, & DEET-free (contains Picaridin, related to a compound in black pepper that repels bugs).

Stay bug-free, everyone! 🦟