What to use for itchy bug bites

What should you do first?

1. 1Remove any attached tick or remaining stinger before treating the itch. Scrape a stinger sideways; use fine tipped tweezers to grasp a tick close to the skin and pull slowly upwards.
2. 2Wash the bite with soap and water to lower the chance of infection.
3. 3For swelling, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or a clean cloth soaked in cold water for at least 20 minutes. Keep the area raised if possible.
4. 4Use hydrocortisone cream for itching and swelling, or an oral antihistamine for itching. A pharmacist can help choose a treatment.
5. 5Avoid scratching, which can break the skin and increase the risk of infection. Skip home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda.

Which itch treatment should you choose?

A cold compress is a useful starting point for an itchy, swollen bite. Hydrocortisone treats itching and swelling at the bite; an oral antihistamine is another option for itch relief. These are options for symptom relief, not a shopping list for a dedicated insect incident cupboard. Creams and lotions containing pure aloe vera can also help ease itching.124

For a child aged 1 year or older, a pharmacist can recommend suitable treatments. A child under 1 year with a bite or sting should see a doctor. Do not use antihistamine cream after contact with caterpillar hairs.2

Why do bug bites itch?

When a bug bites, saliva enters the skin. Your immune system recognises the saliva as foreign and releases histamine, a chemical that causes itching. A mild local allergic reaction can leave the skin itchy and raised around the bite.4

Why do some bug bites itch and spread?

Several bites can appear in groups rather than as one isolated bump. An allergic reaction can also cause swelling to expand around a bite. Scratching can cause dermatitis, meaning inflamed skin, and infection. Increasing pain, heat, swelling or pus needs assessment rather than another layer of itch cream.2456

Why do some bug bites not itch?

Symptoms depend on the bug and your immune response. Mosquito and flea bites usually itch, while bee, wasp and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Itching is not a reliable way to identify the culprit, despite being the symptom most willing to demand attention.47

Why do bug bites itch for days?

Many bites improve within a few days, but individual bite bumps can persist for days to weeks. Some people develop papular urticaria, a sensitivity reaction to insect bites in which old bumps can reappear. This is more common in children. Ordinary hives behave differently: each raised patch clears within 24 hours. Get medical advice if symptoms worsen or are not improving.25

When is itch treatment not enough?

Call your local emergency number for trouble breathing or swallowing, sudden swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or collapse. If you have prescribed emergency epinephrine, use it as directed and seek emergency care. Get urgent medical help for fever, body aches, persistent tiredness or a new rash after a bite, and tell the clinician about the bite. A round or oval rash after a tick bite needs prompt assessment, especially with flu symptoms. Seek urgent advice for a sting in the mouth, throat or near the eyes, repeated stings, or a history of a serious reaction.1234