Helpful advice from a mosquito’s main course.

Mosquitoes feast on me, and my reaction to their bites is pretty extreme. Where some folks get little bumps that itch for an hour or maybe a day, I get hard lumps that are red and hot to the touch for a week. Some people call it an allergy, some call it Skeeter Syndrome, I call it just my luck.

And I’m not alone. I was recently working with someone who was in the thick of waiting for genetic testing results to see if her only embryo was genetically normal. That sort of unknown is so hard. But when we sat down and I asked her what was on her mind she exclaimed, “Can you do anything about these terrible mosquito bites?!”

She lifted up her pant leg to reveal two giant, itchy welts!

And she went on to share that she feels like she’s totally missing out on the most green and lovely part of the year — not to mention a great way to offset the stress of IVF — all because she is so afraid of getting bit.

I get it. I’ve spent too much of my life low-key freaking out trying to avoid mosquito bites. When camping I’m always the one who’s tactfully yelling, “Hey, zip the tent door, NOW!” But thankfully I’ve found some options that really do help with the prevention and care of bug bites and I thought I’d share them with you. After all, improving anything that significantly hurts your quality of life is truly holistic!

Prevention is a great start.

Here’s a list of things to consider to AVOID mosquito bites.

• Set yourself up for fewer mosquitos in your yard — plant marigolds, lavender, basil, and other mosquito repellent plants.

• Empty standing water regularly.

• Set up a mosquito repellent zone in spaces you hang out by adding table-top Thermacell units or cute patio light / Thermacell combo string lights. Or, for a cheaper option try smoke coils — remember if it’s windy these options won’t do as much.

• Consider a screened in area.

• Don’t bother with citronella or sonic devices — they’ve been debunked.

• Clove, peppermint, and lemon eucalyptus do offer some protection but remember, pets and young kiddos can be sensitive to essential oils.

Dress to avoid mosquito bites.

I’ve also got a few good tips on clothing suggestions I find help keep those little buggers at bay. When you can, wear loose fitting, lighter colored clothing.

And if you’re super sensitive to bites, you might consider treating a set of designated outdoor clothes with a longer lasting repellant. Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin will last 6 weeks or 6 washes but should only go on clothing not skin. This product is considered pregnancy category B (generally considered safe) by the FDA.

Use good repellents.

DEET is the gold standard for a reason. I don’t hesitate to give myself a spray before going out for dusky dog-walks and garden weeding.

I use Sawyer Products SP5762 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent and varying levels of DEET depending on where I’m going and how bad I expect the bug / tick risk to be. Picaridin doesn’t have that DEET smell and tests extremely well. I have some of both and pick based on how much I mind smelling like bug spray.

Special secret tip for after the bite!

So far, you may or may not have heard some of this bug bite advice — but here’s where I’ve got something extra special for you! I learned a technique from a master gardener and pediatrician about ten years ago that’s a great ASAP treatment to do right away if you tend to have BIG reactions and catch a bug bite or sting.

Here’s what you do.

Purchase a jar of Bromelain & Papain veggie capsule supplements. I just go to Amazon and do a search. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple — some suggest it helps with promoting implantation, so if you’re in the world of fertility treatments you may have heard of it. Papain is an enzyme found in papaya. Both these enzymes are proteolytic enzymes, which is a fancy way of saying they help break down protein.

Since the reaction from mosquito bites — especially when it is an extreme reaction — is in part due to a reaction a person's immune system has to the protein in the saliva from the mosquito [shudder appropriately here], putting these enzymes over the spot where the saliva or stinger is can help break it down so your body doesn't have as much to react to. 

It really does work wonders! The doctor recommended just mixing the capsule contents with water to make a paste, but I started mixing it with Benadryl or hydrocortisone cream and keeping it in a little jar. It’s a great go-to one-two-punch that also helps it stick longer and better to your skin.

For lingering bug bite reactions, there’s hope.

You’ll want to consult with an acupuncturist to get a quick lesson and make sure you’re using proper safety techniques to avoid risk of infection and blood borne pathogens. But I use something called a plum blossom needle to treat lingering bug bites in my office. It works great!

A plum blossom needle is actually more like a little disposable hammer with a flexible plastic handle and tiny needles arranged at the end into a pattern that looks a little like a plum blossom. I think it’s pretty dang cute for a needle hammer… but I might be an outlier here.

Gently tapping the plum blossom needle on and around a lingering bite reaction feels like the best deep scratch — just a touch of the good kind of pain and oh-so gratifying! And TCM theory says that when we gently break the skin, it’s a way to release the heat (inflammation) and wind (itch) in the area.

Now for some of you that may sound a bit “out there.” But the proof is in the results. TCM is an observation-based medicine that predates modern terminology, but it stands the test of time because it works. This treatment can really help many rashes and reactions settle down faster. When I’m working with someone, I usually do the treatment and then send folks home with their very own needle hammer … err, plum blossom needle. Or as the person I mentioned above renamed it, plum rose banger. She loved it so much she got one for her mom, who also has bigger than average reactions.

And good news. Her embryo came back healthy. She’s gearing up for transfer and enjoying summer with a little more joy — and a little less stress — in more than one way.

Hope this post helps you enjoy more time in nature and less time itching after!

Nicole

FURTHER BUG BITE EXPLORATION

Smithosonian Magazine article about why mosquitoes like biting some people more than others.

FDA webpage with info about the safety of permethrin for pregnancy and lactation.

PBS News break down of which repellents and oils work and don’t work.

National Geographic article with their favorite repellent sprays.

New York Times Wirecutter review of best gadgets to deter bugs on your patio.

Nicole Lange

LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST
HOLISTIC FERTILITY EDUCATOR