MALAGA GAZETTE

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Over-the-counter remedies for insect bites may not work


Thursday, April 12, 2012 |


Chemists offer dozens of creams and pills to relieve the itching and swelling from insect bites but there is little evidence that the treatments actually work, it was claimed. While medication is clearly needed when bites cause infection, eczema flare-ups or severe allergic reactions, in most cases the symptoms are "self limiting", according to an article published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB). Midges, mosquitoes, flies, fleas and bedbugs account for the majority of insect bites in Britain. As they bite our skin in search of blood to drink, the insects inject saliva which causes a reaction in our bodies, usually resulting in no more than mild itching, pain and swelling. This is in contrast to wasp and bee stings, where the reaction is caused by venom.


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