Insect / spider bites

[africa2aus]

My daughter has what looked like a mozzie bite on the sole of her foot but has turned into what now looks like a spider bite. It's not serious as she's had it a few days and has no other symptoms apart from itchiness and redness. I went to the chemist and had no clue what to put on the "mozzie" bite, so I asked the pharmasist and he gave some cream which didn't help much.

So what does everyone use for:

a. Mozzie bites

b. Minor infections (something like Germoline?)

c. Spider bites (non-serious type, obviously the nasty ones need medical attention)

I need to keep these things handy at home so that next time I'm woken at 2am with a daughter who has a really, really itchy foot, I'll know what to put on and have it handy! (At least I had some ice, which helped a bit).

[Jordy]

We use the little red tube of vrot mangoes. or maybe it is vrot pawpaw. Cant remember but it works very well with that sort fo thing. Will check the name when I get home.

[Eva]

Jordy I think its pawpaw, a friend of mine's kids use that on their pimples!

We use phenergan but I have a feeling you need a script for that in Australia.

I know at my sons school they use stingoes on bites.

[africa2aus]

We use the little red tube of vrot mangoes. or maybe it is vrot pawpaw. Cant remember but it works very well with that sort fo thing. Will check the name when I get home.

Do you mean "Paw paw Cream"? Tried it, and although it's good for some things, it didn't help that infernal itch at 2am!!

Thanks, anyway, Jordy!

[Jordy]

So you are saying that when the paw paw hits the fan at 2am dont put more paw paw on it.

[africa2aus]

So you are saying that when the paw paw hits the fan at 2am dont put more paw paw on it.

[NotLookingBack]

mmm, I would also like to know the answer to this post! My stockpile of Anthisan that I brought with is running out!

[Michele R]

I also have a bite, but on the side of my foot. Initially I thought it was a mozzie bite, but at 2am today it started itching like mad, and this morning it was huge. Will have to get some visiting family to bring me some itchy cream.

[Alida]

If Aloe Gel or something of the sorts is available in Oz, that might help ?

[andrea_vk]

Hi

My son was complaining about bites, so I went onto the internet and researched. One thing they suggested is vinegar. Another thing that worked for my son, (got it from the internet) was covering the bite with cellar tape. It prevents contact with the air and the itchiness stops.

Andrea

[TheBs]

Rapaid First Aid Spray or Lotion (available from some pharmacies $5)

This is tea tree based and we found it to relieve the itch of sand fly bites.

[Gizmo]

Jordy I think its pawpaw, a friend of mine's kids use that on their pimples!

We use phenergan but I have a feeling you need a script for that in Australia.

I know at my sons school they use stingoes on bites.

I tried to get this in WA - the pharmacy had never heard of it.

They recommended "Paraderm Plus" - it is a good substitute. It is for cuts, bites, stings, itches, sunburn and minor burns. It has an Antiseptic, Anasthetic and Anti-inflammatory action. Available over the counter.

[Cramer]

Now that everyone has given you the correct information...I cannot resist:

For Pig Bites use Oinkment!

[Michele R]

For Pig Bites use Oinkment!

[sasher]

We use Stingose on all bites. It is a spray and it does sting a little when it goes on (especially if you have been scratching) but it takes away the pain and itch really fast. We initially bought it because my son got stung by a bluebottle but have since used it on mozzie bites and spider bites and it works very well.

I also use paw paw cream on lots of small cuts and bruises as it seems to speed up the healing process. My kids call it magic cream.

[hagar]

Vinegar! If they leave me alone on a desert island, let me have aspirin, a Bic lighter, vinegar and a knife, and I will be set.

[FLockie]

I make my own ointment by mixing genuine tea tree oil with aqueous cream in little jar. put it on the kids whenever the mozzies come to visit. stops the itching and kills any bacteria.

[sonnetjie]

We just pop tea tree oil on cotton wool and rub it over the itch it works like a dream. It neutralizes mozzie bites, spider sting etc.

[Enrica]

Tea Tree Oil is defintely theone to have and use.

Sandfly bites, Ticks, Spider Bites Mozzie bites - excellent

[baileyroadrunner]

OK so you have covered insects bites like mozzies, spiders, sand flies etc. but does anyone know how to avoid getting bitten or deterring leeches.

I am petrified of them and i was attacked whilst cycling and they were hanging off the mud on my bike licking their lips and anticipating when to hop on me. When i noticed the little ?*$#@## i stopped and pushed the bike home for 2 kms too scared that they will detach themselves from the mudguard brackets and latch onto me.

I do laugh about it now but hell "i nearly died".

Bailey

[Eva]

OK so you have covered insects bites like mozzies, spiders, sand flies etc. but does anyone know how to avoid getting bitten or deterring leeches.

I am petrified of them and i was attacked whilst cycling and they were hanging off the mud on my bike licking their lips and anticipating when to hop on me. When i noticed the little ?*$#@## i stopped and pushed the bike home for 2 kms too scared that they will detach themselves from the mudguard brackets and latch onto me.

I do laugh about it now but hell "i nearly died".

Bailey

Don't think there is much to do to prevent them other than long pants or long, thick socks. But to get rid of them once they are sucking your blood, salt works, or burning them with a lighter or match, although I would probably burn the leg! Don't pull them off, makes it bleed and bleed. We have a dam at the bottom of our garden and my 7 year old was swimming in it and had a leech on his leg. He pulled it off, it bled and bled and he wouldn't go back in the water for months! At least they are harmless unlike some of the spiders around!!

[AndreaL]

Yuck- leeches

I went walking in Eungella national park- when I got back to our cabin I noticed a smear of blood on the floor so I looked closely and saw it was a leech!..................

I ripped all my clothes off and screamed for my hubby to come check me- even the creases got searched, there was one still on my leg that we ripped off and my leg didn't stop bleeding for several hours.

So when you are out and about spray yourself with aeroguard, it also comes in stick form that you can pop into your kids school bags.

I am not a fan of insect repellents however in Moranbah we recently were plagued by Mozzies and sand fleas, so the kids had to wear aeroguard especially my youngest who reacted badly to the bites- for the bites I put on a cream called itchease ( it contains tea tree and a mild anaesthetic), it comes in a yellow tube- I also bought betadine ointment to put on the bites at night as many of the kids who had bites ended up with " school sores" which as far as I can make out is the same as impetigo.

Gizmo - you can get phenergan in WA, I bought some there, they just pronounce it differently " fe- ner-gun

I have also bought it in tablet form here in Queensland for nausea.