Here’s an anti-itch trick I learned many years ago — heat. I had an odd little rash that itched like mad. Anti-itch creams don’t work, so I went in search of a better solution. I found it on a discussion forum for psoriasis and eczema sufferers. When they have terrible attacks, they’ll take a long, hot shower, as hot as they can stand it. The heat gives them a couple hours’ relief. The trouble is that, aside from being a waste of water, it washes away precious oils and skin biome. A better solution is a hand-held hairdryer. You put it on “high” and sort of wag it back and forth over the itchy spot, backing off a bit when the heat is too much. The heat causes the skin’s histamine-producing cells to “degranulate” — to give up all their histamines at once. The resulting sensation is hard to describe. There’s the slight pain from the heat (don’t burn yourself!) mixed with the overwhelming itch from all those pesky histamines. Once the itch subsides and all you feel is the heat, you’re done. The itching will be completely gone for hours. I used this technique on several mosquito bites just yesterday evening before bed. Worked like a charm! I have a cheap little old hairdryer stashed in the bathroom that I use just for this.
Thanks. I know someone who used hot water for itching - he was a surveyor so in woods/brush a lot & despite taking precautions, would often end up with bites of one kind or another.
Ping to another way to deal with itchy bites.
Now that’s interesting! I’ve got a little batch of poison ivy in a couple of spots. A bit of a nuisance, and usually at night when I’m trying to go to sleep. I’ll try this idea. Thank you!