(801) 442-2000
36 S. State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111Map

InstaCare Online

Care at Home
  1. Local Treatment - Itchy Insect Bites: (including all mosquito bites).
    • Apply calamine lotion or a baking soda paste.
    • If the itch is severe, use 1% hydrocortisone cream. Apply 4 times a day until the itch is less severe, then switch to calamine lotion.
    • Try applying firm, sharp, direct, steady pressure to the bite for 10 seconds. A fingernail, pen cap, or other object can be used.
  2. Antihistamine for Severe Itching: Take an antihistamine by mouth to reduce the itching. Benadryl (OTC diphenhydramine) is a good choice.
    • The adult dosage of Benadryl is 25-50 mg by mouth up to 4 times daily.
    • Do not take antihistamine medications such as Benadryl if you have prostate enlargement.
    • Antihistamines may cause sleepiness. Do not drink alcohol, drive or operate dangerous machinery while taking antihistamines.
    • Another OTC antihistamine product is loratadine (Alavert or Claritin).
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  3. Local Treatment - Painful Insect Bites:
    • Rub the bite for 15 to 20 minutes with a cotton ball soaked in a meat tenderizer solution. This will usually relieve the pain. CAUTION: don't use near the eye.
    • If not available, use a baking soda solution on a cotton ball.
    • If neither is available, apply an ice cube for 20 minutes.
  4. Pain Medication: If local treatment measures do not adequately reduce the pain, take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (e.g., Tylenol; adult dosage 650 mg) OR ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (e.g., Advil, Motrin; adult dosage 400 mg).
    • Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
    • Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
  5. Antibiotic Ointment: If the insect bite has a scab on it and the scab looks infected, apply an antibiotic ointment 4 times per day.
    • Cover the scab with a Band-Aid to prevent scratching and spread.
    • Repeat washing the sore, the antibiotic ointment and the Band-Aid 4 times per day until healed.
  6. Expected Course: Most insect bites itch or hurt for 1 to 2 days. The swelling may last a week.
  7. IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


Logo Intermountain Healthcare Home

© 2007 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Rights Reserved.