Relief for itchy mosquito bites

This weekend, many of us are focused on the fall-feeling weather. As we’re enjoying the relief of fewer mosquitoes, many are still struggling with those pesky bites.

That’s why Action 2 News crews did some research. Why are there seemingly more mosquitoes this year (

)? Should we be worried about all those mosquito bites (

)? And what can we use to calm the itching and swelling?

We found that the excess flooding and rain has caused a large amount of mosquitoes to fill our area. For the most part, there’s no worry about medical concerns – unless you exhibit fever, neck stiffness, head aches and nausea associated with your bug bites.

As for itching relief, we may have found a product that does the trick.

“When you remove the irritant, your body stops producing the reaction that's causing you to itch and swell,” says Kelley Higney, owner and founder of the Bug Bite Thing.

Higney says mosquitoes leave saliva under the top layer of our skin, which can often itch and swell. But, she says, the Bug Bite Thing can take all that away.

“You take the tool, you simply place it over the bite and pull up on the levers, and that creates a seal over the bite,” she explains. “And it actually draws out the insect’s saliva and venom from the bite. You can hold it for 10-30 seconds depending on your skin sensitivity.”

Action 2 News reporter Sierra Gillespie tried the product on several of her mosquito bites. After using the Bug Bite Thing multiple times, redness and itchiness went down on two of her bug bites.

She took the Bug Bite Thing along on a trip to a football game at Green Bay East High School, where multiple students commented on their relief.

“It even felt like a little bit relieving doing it because it takes pressure away from the itching,” says Sophie Kelley, a student at East High School. “I go to the park for lunch sometimes, and I get so many, it's crazy. So I don't even go outside for lunch anymore.”

With the Bug Bite Thing, Kelley says she will likely start eating lunch outside again.

Maggie Sergott also tried the Bug Bite Thing, saying it worked well. “It actually stopped itching pretty quickly after. I was actually really surprised, because I thought it would hurt, but it didn't hurt at all.”

The good news is, experts say the mosquito frenzy will likely die down as the cooler weather makes its way to Northeast Wisconsin.

The Bug Bite Thing can be used on all types of insect bites. It’s most effective when used right after a person is bitten, however, Higney says it can treat older bites as well.