6 Ways You’re Actually Making Your Bug Bites Worse

It takes a surprising amount of willpower to resist scratching those irritating, red bumps we call mosquito bites. Even then, sometimes you just have to give in and scratch, and scratch some more, until your heart’s content. Unfortunately, though, the relief that scratching provides is short-lived, and may even make the itchiness worse in the long-run (bummer!).

And why are mosquito bites so itchy anyway? It isn’t because of mosquitoes’ suckers, and it definitely isn’t because of the bite itself, it’s actually due to your own immune system. 

Turns out, when a female mosquito bites you—because male mosquitoes don’t bite humans—they inject saliva into your blood stream to prevent clotting. But our bodies don’t exactly like their protein-filled saliva, so in response they produce histamines. Which is why you’re left with an itchy, red bump just hours later.

Once the itchiness fully settles in, what are you supposed to do? Since scratching isn’t exactly an option. Maybe the ole standby—topical creams—will help? Or maybe a few creative remedies will do the trick? It’s tough to say. Unfortunately some of the most popular options out there may actually make the itch even worse (yikes!). Things like:

1.    A soothing soak.

While there’s no doubt that a nice warm bath with your favorite bath bomb or a calming hot shower is the perfect way to end a stressful day, it’s just going to irritate your mosquito bite. That’s because hot water strips the moisture from your skin, and dry skin equals itchy skin.

2.    Applying antibacterial treatments.

This is definitely a no-brainer when it comes to an injury, like a cut or scrape, but antibacterial treatments aren’t designed to do much for a mosquito bite (except clean it). Plus, common options, like rubbing alcohol, will further dry out the skin and amplify itchiness.

3.    Using a lot of topical cream.

As effective as antihistamines can be in minimizing the symptoms of allergies—including bug bites—you can have too much of a good thing. So the next time you have a mosquito bite, don’t just lather on the antihistamine cream as you may develop a sensitivity to it (causing more itchy, red bumps).

4.    Trying some alternative options.

People definitely get creative when it comes to treating mosquito bites. Everything from putting saliva on them to making “x” indentations have been said to work, but chances are you’ll just end up making yourself more susceptible to infection. After all, scratching or making indentations may puncture your skin, and using your saliva could be bad news since it isn’t exactly bacteria-free.

5.    Going all natural.

Essential oils, honey and other botanicals continue to become more and more popular, but it’s important to use them with caution. For instance, honey has been shown to have antibacterial properties, but not antihistamine or anti-inflammatory properties (which is what you need for mosquito bites). Furthermore, essential oils or herbs (like basil) can help to minimize itch, but the results vary from person to person.

6.    You assume it’s a mosquito bite.

If you have a new itchy, red bump—and it’s summer—it’s safe to assume that it’s a mosquito bite—right? While that’s a fair guess, there are a ton of other causes that you may be overlooking, like eczema, heat rash, contact dermatitis, sun allergy, staph, another type of bug bite or something else entirely.

So if you try a cold compress and/or a topical steroid cream (i.e. cortisone)—some of the best ways to combat the itchiness of a mosquito bite—and it doesn’t get any better, or you notice additional symptoms, like nausea, fever, headache, weakness or shortness of breath, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. That's why the experts at ChoiceOne Urgent Care are available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to get you through all of summer’s illnesses and injuries. 

Ditch The Itch: 4 Plants You Should Definitely Avoid This Summer

We all know to steer clear of the three poison amigos—also known as poison ivy, oak and sumac. But have you ever really stopped to think about what these plants actually look like and how to avoid them? Chances are you aren’t the only one who may be drawing a blank here (did we miss the lesson on poison ivy 101?).

So in case you’re one of the many who doesn’t know the facts about poison ivy and oak by heart (does it always have 3 leaves or is it 5?), we thought it would be a good idea to provide a quick refresher on what these plants look like, where they grow and what other plants may cause some serious itching—besides these 3.

Here is your summer survival guide: plant edition

1.    What: Poison ivyis the notorious plant that inspired the old adage, “Leaves of three, let them be.” In addition to leaflets of 3 and its vine or shrub shape, you should watch for different colored leaves throughout the different seasons—reddish in the spring, green in the summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall.  

                                                 

Where:Thanks to the lovely climate of GA, and a variety of landscapes, you can find poison ivy just about anywhere—along the road, on a fence post, in a sunny setting or in the woods—you name it, it’s there.

Why: The dreaded rash that usually forms after touching poison ivy is due to oil in the plant sap—which is on its leaves and stems—called urushiol. The oil will typically cause a reaction (consisting of blistering, itchy rash) within 12-72 hours. And contrary to popular belief, this rash is not contagious, even if it seems to spread.

2.    What: Poison Oak, often mistaken for poison ivy, is a shrubby or viney plant that has three leaves with a classic oak leaf shape (but it’s unrelated to the oak tree). Poison oak usually has leaves that are a deep green (sometimes reddish), with a lighter underside. And if it has any berries, they will hang in clusters and be yellow-white.

Where: Poison oak isn’t nearly as common as poison ivy. So if you do spot some growing, it will likely be in a dry, sunny area.

Why: Just like its ivy counterpart, poison oak causes a reaction from urushioloil that can lead to a painful, itchy rash with blistering. Typically a rash will appear within 12 to 72 hours after contact and it will subside in just a few itchy weeks.

3.    What: Stinging Nettle, just like the poisonous trio, stinging nettle has a few relatives, like bull nettle, nettle tree and wood nettle, which can all cause painful, itchy reactions. With its bright green, jagged leaves, stinging nettle is sure to catch your attention. If its color doesn’t, you’ll likely notice its tall, single stem that grows upwards of 8 feet.

Where: While stinging nettle is common throughout GA, you’ll most likely notice it in dense, shady areas—in other words, the perfect place for a stream-side hike.

Why: This plant definitely got its name for a reason. With microscopic, stinging hairs that grow on the leaves, and sometimes on the stem, you’ll feel a painful, sting accompanied by burning/itching and sometimes blistering. These symptoms will appear as soon as you touch it, but they’ll likely go away within 24 hours—thankfully!

4.    What: Leadwort, while may sound like a made-up plant name, plumbagois actually more common than you might think. It’s often utilized in gardening because of its ability to provide ample ground cover, along with dusty blue flowers that grow all summer long—pretty right?

Where: Because plumbago is often purposefully planted, you are most likely to see it in gardens with part or full sun. While it’s most popular use is groundcover, you may notice it cascading down fences, along borders or in containers.

Why:Despite its frequent use in gardens for that pop of blue color, plumbago can be extremely irritating if you touch it. Often times, handling it will lead to redness, irritation and blistering on contact, so try to resist touching those eye-catching flowers.

I’ve touched one of these plants, now what?

In this instance, rubbing alcohol and water—seriously, a lot of water—are your best friends to help remove any oil or sap. If you can wash off the oil within 5 minutes, you may be able to avoid a rash—fingers crossed.

If the oil has been on the skin for more than 5 minutes, you should still wash your skin, just for good measure and to prevent the oil from spreading. And don’t forget to clean off any clothing, outdoor gear, furniture or flooring to prevent spreading the oil around.

And add oatmeal to your lukewarm (not hot) bath water and soak in it to help ease itching, especially with poison ivy. And while you’re at it, grab some calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or an over-the-counter antihistamine to get some relief. And if resisting the itch is getting to be too much—because it’s darn hard not to give in and scratch it—or you notice other symptoms, like a fever, swelling or discomfort, get the care—and itch-relief—you need, exactly when you need it. 

Can Foods Really Help Heal Dry Skin?

For some, the freezing temps, whipping wind and lack of daylight are the best, most refreshing parts of winter (those people are few and far between, though). For the rest of us, winter weather has long lost its charm. Instead of leaving the comfort of the indoors to battle the frigid cold, many of us curl up on the couch and bask in the warmth. After all, it seems like a no-brainer—right?

And while all that glorious warm air, those snuggly (yet itchy) fabrics and extra-long, extra-hot showers may seem like the perfect way to spend a chilly day, it’s actually a recipe for chapped, dry skin—something that’s as annoying as it is painful.

So, when all the lotion and skin cream in the world don’t provide relief for dry skin, what should you do? As it turns out, the answer might be hiding in the foods you eat—or don’t eat. To help quench your thirsty, dry skin, try these nourishing foods:

Pomegranate seeds: If fruits and vegetables don’t top your grocery list during the winter months, you’re definitely not alone. Enter pomegranates. These delicious and nutritious powerhouses are packed with antioxidants, which help skin fight UV damage, inflammation, collagen breakdown, as well as boost blood flow.

Sweet potatoes: Whether you like them sweet or savory, there’s simply no denying that sweet potatoes are unmatched in their ability to help protect and support skin health. With ample amounts of both vitamin A and beta-carotene, this veggie helps to repair skin and its protective barrier.

Eggs: What’s not to love about a food that you can boil, scramble or fry? As if you weren’t already sold, eggs aren’t just versatile, they’re also loaded with a variety of different vitamins and nutrients, including: vitamins A, B5, D and E. These vitamins work to help fight inflammation, support collagen synthesis and overall skin function.

Citrus: If you’re feeling blah, chances are your skin is, too. Thankfully, citrus fruits of all shapes and sizes are the perfect solution. While vitamin C is often thought of as an immune-boosting nutrient, it can also help to support skin health by plumping-up collagen and softening complexion.

Nuts: Yet another example of how some of the best things come in small packages, walnuts and sunflower seeds boast a powerful array of skin-loving nutrients. With omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, antioxidants and selenium, your skin will be looking and feeling supple, hydrated and protected.

Salmon: It isn’t just the omega-3 fatty acids that make salmon a skin health all-star, although they do help to balance skin’s lipid membrane and retain moisture. This cold-water fish also offers a beneficial dose of vitamin D, which helps skin with acne, eczema and redness/irritation.

Healing from the inside out.

Skin is often a good indicator of overall health—after all it is your body’s largest organ. Everything from dehydration and allergies, to hypothyroidism and hormone imbalances can be visible on your skin. So, for many of us, dry skin is really just scratching the surface of overall skin health. To get a better understanding of what your skin may be trying to tell you, it’s important to see your primary care provider.

With a wide variety of services, up-to-date technology and the latest treatment options, Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care is your partner in lasting health.