The
Bug Bite Thing , an ingenious suction tool that helps ease itchiness from mosquito and other insect bites.
For as long as I can remember, mosquitoes have loved to feast on me. Wherever I am, the tiny flying terrors follow. And they’ll usually opt for my blood over that of any person with me, leaving me with unrelentingly itchy bites that keep me up at night and send me into fits of scratching throughout the day.
That mosquitoes adore me is not just in my head; as a twin, I have something of a built-in control variable. For decades, mosquitoes have chosen to feast on me over my other half. This is likely due to a combination of factors, according to entomologists , including one’s particular metabolism, lactic acid, body heat and clothing.
Years of using my nails to make sad X marks on my bites to dispel itching had rendered me pessimistic. So when I first came across the Bug Bite Thing , a tool designed to soothe discomfort and itching from bites, I paid it little attention. It seemed too good to be true.
But then, I tried it. And like reviewers who say it’s the best $10 they’ve ever spent , I soon found that the Bug Bite Thing changed my mosquito-fearing life for the better. It’s the best relief for itchy bites that I’ve ever had — by far.
The lightweight, “Shark Tank” approved tool has garnered over 50,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. It uses suction to ease bites and stings — a surprisingly effective technique.
“When mosquitoes bite, some of their saliva enters the skin,” explained Dr. Jocelyn Lieb , a dermatologist and the founder of Skin & Laser Center of NJ . Lieb noted that the saliva then triggers a response from your immune system, releasing the histamine that causes itching,
To use the
Bug Bite Thing , place the tool over a bite and slowly pull its handle upward to create suction.
The Bug Bite Thing ’s use of suction enables it to remove that inflammatory saliva, according to Dr. Anna Chacon , a dermatologist who focuses on teledermatology . “When the saliva is removed via suction, your immune system stops reacting ... and you will no longer experience itching and swelling in the area,” Chacon wrote.
The tool’s suction method is also notable because it eliminates the need for chemicals and is especially kid -friendly. Chacon noted, “I love that it’s chemical-free.”
Its suction can help with more than just mosquitoes. “Other insects can inject toxins, like bees and spiders,” Lieb explained. “This tool could help reduce toxin spread in these situations as well.”
For folks who bruise easily, the suction may cause some discoloration. I got a bruise with a particularly swollen bite, but for me, it was well worth it: The itching disappeared and it didn’t hurt. Besides, I get bruises just from scratching bites anyway.
If you have hemophilia or other issues related to blood clotting, be sure to talk with your doctor before using the Bug Bite Thing. If you notice your bite reactions worsening, you should also consult a doctor.
The
Bug Bite Thing is reusable and chemical-free, with over 50,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.
It doesn’t work miracles — nothing will rid me of bites forever — but I’m beyond grateful to have the Bug Bite Thing as a tool in my arsenal. I’m no longer white-knuckling my way through incessant bites and itching, and if I have anything to do with it, I’ll never be without one again.
You can grab it in white , black or pale pink , as well as packs of two or three .
Though the Bug Bite Thing is my personal holy grail, I’ve also rounded up more itch-soothing and bite-prevention items for your perusal below, including picks based on advice from health care professionals.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
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