Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Linda868]

Well over the weekend I managed to get 20 mosquito bites. They are extremely itchy and starting to swell:( Any recommendations on lotions/creams/pills that would relieve the itchiness? Thanks!

[stuey11]

Tiger Balm is great for relieving itchy mosquito bites[/img]

[noobteacher]

Ugh, I totally feel your pain! I just went through the same thing but luckily mine are healing now. Go to your local pharmacy and they should have a little green bottle that looks like roll on deodorant and only costs about 4-5000 won. It stops the itching and starts the healing process within about a day of constant application. I went to mine and was able to just say "insect bites" in English and showed the lady my legs and she knew exactly what to give me.

[Senior]

[NYC_Gal]

My first month here, I went on a trip and forgot to pack the Benadryl cream, so went to a pharmacy and said "Mogidul!" and scratched my arms. The pharmacist gave me a great cream. Yeah, my Korean was pretty lame LOL
Don't underestimate a key word and some mime!
They DO have the stuff, here, though.

[Mr. Pink]

[Mariella713]

Use pure cold pressed aloe gel - it'll soothe the bites & help cut down on the itchiness.

[Linda868]

Thanks for all the information! Heading to the pharmacy tomorrow to look for the creams/lotions.

[jammo]

use your nail to make a cross on each bite. sounds religious but it works

[8 years down]

This works, and only requires water.

Run hot water from your sink. As hot as you can stand without burning your skin. Place the bite under the tap in the hot water. The next 30 seconds will be painful. It will feel as if your skin is actually burning. Check with your free hand to make sure the water is not boiling. The longer you can manage the pain the better, after 1 or 2 minutes of this you should have zero itching for the next 4-6 hours. Do it again if they start to itch.

The science behind this is well documented. And the only method that completely got rid of the itching I had when I was seriously bitten 10 times on my hand last summer. My hand swelled up to the size of bowling ball. The hot water trick was amazing, and since I wasn't scratching anymore, the swelling went down quickly and my hand healed fast.

[rumdiary]

This won't help the OP, but if you clean the bites with rubbing alcohol shortly after being bitten they will go away in a couple of hours.

[kiwigirl :O)]