Get used to it, 'cause that's the way we diabetics do it. I have cat scratches that show red for months. I use Polysporin for even the tiniest injuries (especially on my feet) and mosquito bites drive me wild so I never go anywhere without Benedryl anti itch stick - they really help...

I never used to use any of this stuff before the diabetes.

I have always reacted badly to midge bites. I did a long distance walk challenge at the weekend and we were plagued with them, to an extent that I walked in a mosquito net for part of the walk. Luckily this worked and I didn't get one bite!

Another competitor from the weekend posted this potential remedy, I have never tried it, but think I will at some stage,

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2011/05/28/a-miraculous-cure-for-bug-bite-itching/

I've been lucky so far for my healing ::knocks on wood for the luck!::

But, when I get bites, I usually use a mild ammonia solution - about 1 pt ammonia to 9 pts water (Or, the easy way - the commercial ammonia treatment marketed under the brand name "After Bite". Does wonders to kill the itch for just about any kind of bite.

@ Laura - if you haven't tried it yet for poison ivy/ poison oak - try some Pine Tar Soap. Discovered it when I got a NASTY case of poison ivy (like over 85% of my body!). Works a treat, and will help get rid of the itching, redness, swelling, and general discomfort. Found it at the local pharmacy, but I lived in a small town at the time, so we didn't have any big stores that might have carried it.

Perhaps the midges in the Uk are more vicious but like BigG any bite will cause swelling and a supturating spot which takes ages to heal. I use jungle spray but the blighters always seem to home in on any spots I miss.

@ Laura - if you haven't tried it yet for poison ivy/ poison oak - try some Pine Tar Soap. Discovered it when I got a NASTY case of poison ivy (like over 85% of my body!). Works a treat, and will help get rid of the itching, redness, swelling, and general discomfort. Found it at the local pharmacy, but I lived in a small town at the time, so we didn't have any big stores that might have carried it.

The breakout is almost gone. I'm mostly just dealing with the dry skin aftermath now. I wouldn't be able to use Pine Tar Soap as I am allergic to pine. We had to stop having real Christmas trees in the house. I have used Fels Naptha Soap in the past. It works very well for drying up poison ivy/oak.

Yeah, that would make the soap be on the decidedly "Not Approved List"! May have to look into the Naptha soap though. Haven't run into any poison ivy recently, but I'd rather be prepared than caught out again.