I just went to camp for a week, and I'm totally bitten by misquitos to the point where people think I have poison ivy. I was just wondering how long they'll last and what's the best way to soothe them?
2006-07-22 09:01:13 · 4 answers · asked by Samantha 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
This depends. What's happening is that you're having a minor allergic reaction to an anti-clotting agent in the mosquito's saliva. If he didn't have this anti-clotting agent, your blood would clot instantly and he wouldn't be able to feed. Different people have different reactions, to various different varieties of mosquitos and biting flies. So everyone is a little different how long it takes for these things to heal. Is there a chance that this could be chiggers (also called redbugs)? Either way, you can try a soothing cream, like a benedryl based cream, or if it keeps you up at night, then try to take some benedryl (generic name is diphenhydramine)...no more than about 25mg should do it. You could also get the benedryl in a single Tylenol pm tablet. This should help you sleep. Calamine lotion may help, as well as an oatmeal based soap like Aveenobar, or even better, Aveenbath. If it continues to bother you without relief, or if you are having signs of infection...especially running fever, then you'll need to see a doctor. Best of luck to you.....
2006-07-22 09:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you can keep from scratching them they will go away in about a week, but if you scratch them it keeps irritating them and they will last longer, especially if you break the skin from all the scratching.
There is a product called After-Bite or something similar to that, I've used it before and it works pretty good, it helps to numb the itch and keeps you from scratching them so they go away faster.
I know it's not much help but that's all I have to offer.
Good luck, and don't scratch that itch.
2006-07-22 16:09:41 · answer #2 · answered by wetsaway 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Around a week is the most they will stay, sometimes more. If it is really itchy, just normal Vaseline will do it; apply Vaseline as needed. Don't bother with ointements and creams. In fact, my arms are covered in Vaseline right now.
2006-07-22 16:05:28 · answer #3 · answered by Dan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
na_iuliana
2006-07-22 16:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by na_iuliana 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋