“The best way to prevent flea bites is to be by someone the fleas find tastier.” Explained an expert in Entomology (the study of insects) in a lecture I once attended as a student of Zoology. This rule apparently is the same for any biting insect. The problem is, I’m usually the tastiest person in the room as far as mosquitoes and the like are concerned! Wherever I travel and whatever precautions I take, I still get bitten by something. I was once bitten over 30 times in one night while my husband sleeping beside didn’t get bitten at all. And I’ve tried all sorts of potions and creams to alleviate the inevitable itching and scratching once bitten. The best relief from mosquito and other insect bites and stings I’ve found to date is called Bite Away.
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Insects love my blood!
Whether I’m enjoying a picnic by a lake in the UK or hiking through the jungle in Borneo, I tend to get bitten a lot. Even if I cover myself in insect repellent they still find an area of skin that I’ve missed – be it my little finger or the side of the sole of my foot. One holiday in Greece I had eight bites on my face and my friend wanted to make a dot-to-dot drawing on it.
above: Looking for bugs and beetles in the jungles of Borneo. I’m glad I didn’t get bitten by this giant beasty!
My worst experience was while I was working in Umbria in Italy, photographing holiday homes. I had some particularly nasty bites that kept weeping. They really were embarrassing. I had never seen anything like it before and I didn’t see anyone else with them either. It was just me! For as long as I can remember, I get bitten way more than anyone else I’m with.
Over the great many years I’ve been travelling, I’ve tried every potion and lotion out there, including natural remedies and some not so natural. When I came across Bite Away and read the reviews, I was eager to give it a try.
Is Bite Away the best treatment for insect bites and stings?
What is Bite Away?
Bite Away is a small, light device that’s the size of a thick pen. It easily fits in your pocket or bag. It is used to treat insect bites and stings. Rather than using chemicals, it uses heat therapy.
Does Bite Away work?
Yes. Don’t just take me word for it. This study in Germany found that locally administrated concentrated heat leads to a fast improvement) of symptoms. In most cases, symptoms such as itching and pain disappeared in ten minutes or less and swelling was significantly reduced. It concluded that compared with alternative treatments after insect bites and stings “Bite Away seems to be the fastest treatment option available.”
What does Bite Away do?
It delivers a burst of heat at 51°C for a few second directly to the bite. This reliefs the itching, pain and swelling associated with insect bites and stings which means you scratch less giving it the chance to heal more quickly. You can feel it but it doesn’t really hurt. I certainly don’t mind using it and I’ve heard children, once you explain what it is for, don’t mind it either, especially when they realise it works.
What bites and stings can it be used on?
Bite Away can be used on bites and stings from mosquitoes, fleas, wasps, bees, hornets, horseflies and other biting insects.
Is Bite Away natural?
Yes. It does not contain any chemicals.
How long does it take to work?
It has been clinically proven to give a notable reduction in symptoms in just 2 minutes. With the pain almost disappearing entirely in 10 minutes.
Personal, I’ve found it works straight away on bites. I have not had the chance to use it on a sting yet and I’m not planning on getting stung any time soon. I do carry it with me all the time though so I will update this if that changes.
How much does it cost?
Currently, it costs £26.99. This may be considerably more than traditional methods of treating stings and bites, however, such chemical-based creams, ointments and oral medicines, typically only bring short-term relief. Bite Away has been clinically proven to be more effective and, in my opinion, well worth it. Also, while you will eventually need to change the batteries unlike, cream and ointments, it will not run out or go out of date.
Where to buy Bite Away?
You can buy Bite Away online via Amazon here.
Does Bite Away deliver? The verdict
I have found Bite Away is very effective for treating insect bites and from everything I’ve read, from the clinical study to the online reviews, it’s equally effective on stings. Now, whenever I go travelling, I’ll be taking Bite Away with me. Likewise, when I go walking in England including on the guided walks I lead in the South Downs. It’s great to know that if myself or one of my guests get stung or bitten I can treat it on the spot with Bite Away. It’s safe for different people to use (as long as you clean it between uses).
Below: Me, with some of my guests on a guided walk on the South Downs (taken prior to social distancing)
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