The Bugs are Gone, but the Bites are Still Here

November 15, 2008 11:02 AM

What can I do to make my bug bites heal faster?

Last Friday, I woke up with a lot of bug bites. It turns out we had a pigeon mite infestation (yuck) and while the exterminator has come and gone, my battle scars haven't. I have about five inflamed blister-like bites on my arms and several more "regular" looking bug bites on my back and legs. They don't itch anymore, but is there anything I can do to make them go away faster & lessen the scarring? Thanks in advance!

posted by cucumberfresh to health & fitness (6 comments total)

Take an antihistamine (for hayfever) for a couple of days to reduce swelling and itching. Body Shop has a really good cream called "Face Protector" for men that uses coconut cream, which is good for getting scabs to heal faster.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:51 AM on November 15, 2008

Vitamin E ointment.
posted by Riverine at 3:55 PM on November 15, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Have you tried After Bite?
posted by Sys Rq at 4:08 PM on November 15, 2008

Oofh! I sympathize. I second the antihistamine, and recommend putting band aids over those bites to prevent scarring. I don't know about you, but I can scratch at those things to the bleeding point even when thoroughly asleep.

Other than that, I haven't found any miracle workers, and I have the kind of blood/skin bugs just need to be near.
posted by liverbisque at 6:58 PM on November 15, 2008

Scotch tape on bug bites helps lessen the urge to itch.
posted by phatkitten at 10:15 AM on November 17, 2008

Thank you for your responses :) I've gone the antihistamine route and I've also got some Vit. E on hand. What is in After Bite? I'll have to try the scotch tape thing the next time I get a bug bite.
posted by cucumberfresh at 4:24 PM on November 17, 2008