If you’re a mosquito magnet, the chances are you’ve been suffering from itchy bites lately! However much you slather on insect repellent, there always seems to be one crafty mosquito that slips through. If you’re fed up with swollen, itchy bites then this could be the gadget for you.
Bite Helper uses heat and vibrations to, theoretically, reduce the itching and swelling on the bite. You just press it on the bump as soon as you notice it (the quicker the better) and it will keep the itching and swelling to a minimum.
When a mosquito bites you, it injects a tiny bit of anticoagulant to stop your blood from clotting. This is what makes the bite so horribly itchy – your body reacts to the mosquito’s saliva, sending antibodies to deal with it. It’s a lot like an allergic reaction, and it’s what causes the raised bump and itchiness. Applying heat to the bite is supposed to help neutralise the chemicals in the bite, and the vibration encourages blood flow to the area, which helps clear it out quicker. Your bite will swell and itch less.
Although the Bite Helper applies fairly intense heat to your skin, it’s reportedly not painful, and uses no chemicals or drugs at all.
The jury is out on how effective it is – this tester called it ‘semi-effective’ so, on very fresh bites, it appears to at least have a small effect. However, at around $40 (35€-ish) plus delivery, it’s not expensive so it could be worth a try if your bites are driving you crazy! You can buy it online directly from Bite Helper, or search on Amazon or Ebay.
