Itchy, red and generally uncomfortable, bug bites are not only hard to avoid, but they can be tough to get rid of, too. Still, you don’t have to choose between the great outdoors and suffering through mosquito bite after mosquito bite. Dedicated treatments can help alleviate itchiness, redness and other common symptoms that may result from a reaction to the bite.
While they may vary in their exact symptoms, bug bites tend to be itchy, red bumps that are usually edematous (slightly swollen) from the inflammation, according to Dr. Jeremy Fenton, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology.
To learn more about the different ways to treat bug bites and how to shop for the right ointment for you, I spoke to three experts about what to look for in a formulation. I also included some of their recommendations for the best bug bite treatments.
SKIP AHEAD The best bug bite treatments | How to identify a bug bite | How to shop for bug bite treatments | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best bug bite treatments
I spoke to two board-certified dermatologists and a double board-certified allergist and immunologist about what ingredients to look for in a treatment and other factors to consider. They recommended keeping the following in mind:
- Active ingredients: There are a variety of over-the-counter ingredients that can help ease the discomfort of a bug bite. For instance, over-the-counter levels of hydrocortisone can be a good option, as can calamine and antihistamine lotions. If you’re really uncomfortable, you can also ask your doctor about prescription-strength topical steroids.
- Targeted symptoms: Since bug bites can appear with some combination of redness, swelling and itchiness, allow your exact symptoms to guide your treatment choices. “If you have pain and swelling, you can apply ice or a cold pack,” says Dr. Martin Smith, a double board-certified allergist and immunologist in Cleveland, OH, and founder of Untoxicated Skincare. “If you have mainly itching, then a cream with calamine helps. You can also apply a low-dose steroid cream.”
- Packaging: While lotions and creams will typically come in tubes or bottles, you can now find pens on the market that are portable and make application quick and easy. They’re especially handy if you plan to be outdoors and at risk of being bitten.
Related
The best bug bite treatments in 2024
The best way to treat a bug bite depends on both the symptoms and the active ingredients within a given formula, according to our experts. For instance, over-the-counter steroid creams can be helpful for limiting itchiness, while ingredients like calamine and topical antihistamines may also minimize discomfort. Below, I compiled expert-recommended treatments and highly rated options that help calm and comfort the bite.
Best overall: Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Creme
- Soothes the skin
- Free of common irritants
- Quick relief
- Nothing to note at this time
This steroid-based option is great for relieving the itching, pain and redness of small bites and stings from mosquitoes and bees, says Smith. It has aloe vera to calm skin, plus, you can use it anywhere on the body, according to the brand. “The dose of steroid is low, so it’s relatively safe for all skin areas,” he says.
Active ingredients: Hydrocortisone | Best for: Itching, redness and pain
Best cream: Gold Bond Medicated Pain & Itch Relief Cream with Lidocaine
- Non-greasy
- Steroid-free
- Quick relief
- Lidocaine can be irritating
For temporary relief, consider this cream, which includes 4% lidocaine (a topical numbing agent). This “can help numb the area and reduce itching and any pain — it won’t make the bite go away any faster though,” says Fenton. Not only is it hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, but it’s also free of steroids — so those with sensitive skin should be okay to use it.
Active ingredients: Lidocaine | Best for: Itching and pain
Best calamine-based bug bite treatment: Caladryl Lotion Calamine Plus Itch Reliever
- Soothing
- Liquidy consistency
- Easy to apply
- Takes time to dry
Recognizable for its pink hue, calamine has long been a go-to for alleviating the itchiness of bug bites. Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says that any drugstore formula, including this one, should do the trick to prevent scratching; it also includes a topical analgesic to ease pain. “Keep in mind that temporary localized use of calamine can be helpful and have anti-itching effects, but chronic use can be irritating and drying to the skin,” she says. In other words, use in moderation.
Active ingredients: Calamine, pramocaine | Best for: Itching and pain
Best tool: Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool
- Safe for all ages
- Chemical-free
- Portable
- Needs to be immediate
This tool is Amazon’s top selling bug bite treatment; it uses suction to remove the irritant from skin. “I haven’t been able to find any real scientific study, but the reviews and videos do indicate that it can work when used as quickly as possible after a bite,” says King. Fenton also agrees that speed is key. “Physiologically speaking, it would likely need to be used very quickly after a bite to be effective at all,” says Fenton. It’s reusable and lightweight, which may explain why it has an average 4.0-star rating from over 84,000 reviews on Amazon.
Active ingredients: None | Best for: Itching and pain
Best for kids: Natpat Magicpatch Itch Relief Patches
- Water-resistant patches
- Chemical-free
- Patches stay on for 7 days
- Single-use patches
Instead of using chemical ingredients, these patches use their grid system technology to mechanically lift the skin and drain the saliva from bug bites to reduce any itching and discomfort, according to the brand. Not only does it stop itching, but it also reduces the chance for your child to continue scratching the area since the patch provides a physical barrier, according to Natpat. These patches have a 4.2-star average rating from over 2,300 reviews on Amazon.
Active ingredients: None | Best for: Itching
Best pen: After Bite Advanced Itch Eraser
- Portable
- Easy to apply
- Available in many formulations
- Only for ages 2+
Two of our experts recommend this pen, which you can dot onto a bite. An ammonia solution like this can be helpful for relieving itching, burning and pain, according to King. Because of that, this eraser is good for any itchy insect bite like chiggers and mosquitos, according to Fenton. That said, its success can vary from person to person, so depending on the severity of your bug bite, you may want to consider other After Bite options, including Outdoor and Xtra.
Active ingredients: Baking soda | Best for: Itching and pain
Best bath treatment: Aveeno Soothing Oatmeal Bath Treatment
- Safe for all ages
- Gentle formula
- Allergy-tested
- Single-use packets
This 8-count treatment helps relieve irritation, itchiness, redness and more caused by bug bites, poison ivy, rashes and even eczema. Its fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin types and leaves skin soothed, cleansed and moisturized, according to the brand. For the best results, soak your body in a warm bath for 15-30 minutes, and once time is up, gently pat the skin rather than rubbing it, so that you keep a thin layer of the product on, according to Aveeno. These bath soaks have a 4.7-star average rating from over 20,300 reviews on Amazon.
Active ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal | Best for: Redness and itching
Best lotion: Sarna Calm + Cool Anti-Itch Lotion
- Suitable for all skin types
- Non-greasy
- Fast-absorbing
- Only for ages 2+
While a prescription-strength steroid may offer the maximum relief, Sarna makes good steroid-free, over-the-counter alternatives, according to King. This option reduces the pain and itchiness that stems from insect bites, sunburn and poison ivy and focuses on soothing the skin and providing a cooling feeling, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Pramoxine hydrochloride and menthol | Best for: Itching and pain
Best for adults: Bite Away Electronic Heat Pen for Sting and Bug Bite Relief
- Mess-free application
- Portable
- 300 uses per battery
- Only for ages 3+
For a more outside-the-box approach, this bug bite treatment delivers concentrated heat to the bite, according to King. “Studies demonstrate a reduction in swelling, pain and itching [with this method],” she says. In lieu of active ingredients, this pen uses a 124-degree Fahrenheit pulse to trigger the body’s healing response, allowing it to quickly alleviate irritation and itchiness, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: None | Best for: Swelling, itching and pain
Related
How to identify a bug bite
It’s not always possible to identify the difference between a big bite (or a series of bug bites) and a skin rash that occurs for entirely separate reasons. That said, certain patterns can be highly suggestive of bites and are otherwise difficult to explain, says King.
The good news is that while it can sometimes be tricky to distinguish between a rash or a bug bite, many of the ingredients used in bug bite treatments, such as corticosteroids, are often used to treat skin rashes. If you’re not sure what you’re working with, consult your doctor to be safe.
“Any signs of infection — increasing pus, tenderness, inflammation, warmth, redness — should be addressed by a doctor,” says King. The same goes for certain patterns, like a rash in the shape of a bull’s eye that appears around a tick bite. “That can present as the first symptom of Lyme disease,” she says.
How to shop for bug bite treatments
When you’re shopping for bug bite treatments, it helps to consider an antihistamine, and symptoms in question. Here’s what the experts recommend considering when you’re treating a bug bite.
Consider the active ingredient: Popular ingredients you’ll find on the shelf include steroids, which can target the inflammation triggered by the body’s immune response to the bug bite, as well as anti-itch ingredients like calamine and ammonia.
Pay specific attention to antihistamines: An allergic reaction to a bug bite can range from mild redness and swelling to anaphylactic reaction, which is a medical emergency. Some reactions may call for an oral antihistamine, which is a drug that blocks the activity of histamine (the main molecule that is released during an allergic reaction), according to Smith.
Avoid certain ingredients: While oral antihistamines can be helpful, Smith isn’t a fan of topical formulas, the primary one being Benadryl cream. When topically applied, Benadryl can be irritating and can even, ironically, trigger an allergic reaction — which may only make your bug bites worse, according to Smith. Also depending on where the bite is located, use numbing ingredients, such as lidocaine, with caution. “They can also induce an allergic reaction, especially if used in sun-exposed areas,” says Smith.
Factor in your symptoms: Even if you’re not sure what exactly bit you, you can use your symptoms to guide you to the right treatment. For instance, if you have itchiness, “calamine works by giving a cooling and calming effect when it evaporates,” says Smith. For that reason, it’s ideal for mosquito bites, but may not be helpful in the case of a bee sting, he says.
Know when to see your doctor: “Monitor [your bites] for any other sort of rashes or systemic symptoms such as fevers, chills, headache, joint pain or other flu-like symptoms, as these could be symptoms of Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness,” says Fenton. In the United States, even mosquito bites can contribute to illnesses so look out for rashes and similar symptoms, he says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Martin Smith is a double board-certified allergist and immunologist in Cleveland, OH, and the founder of Untoxicated Skincare.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Dr. Jeremy Fenton is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Long Beach and New York, NY.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like sun protection and psoriasis. For this article, I spoke to two dermatologists and an allergist and immunologist to narrow down the best ways to treat bug bites, and highlighted their product recommendations.
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