Before You Scratch That Itch, Read This

Despite even the most heroic efforts, odds are you'll be nabbed by a mosquito (or 10) before summer's end—and bites can easily become infected if you're a scratcher. To the rescue: anti-itch strategies guaranteed to relieve. (Try them one at a time.)

CHILL IT. Ice narrows blood vessels, reducing swelling and numbing the skin. Place a few cubes in a ziplock bag, wrap it in a thin cloth and apply it to the bite for 5 to 10 minutes an hour until the discomfort subsides, recommends Suzan Obagi, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Repeat as necessary.

OIL IT. Some research suggests that tea tree oil (available at health food stores) may help suppress your response to histamine, the chemical that triggers the itch. Plus, its antiseptic properties can disinfect, Dr. Obagi says. Gently rub several drops on the bite, then reapply three times daily for a few days. If symptoms worsen, wash off ASAP; some people may be allergic to the oil.

MEDICATE IT. Hydrocortisone cream has a mild steroid that helps stop itching and inflammation. Try a 1 percent solution, and apply it three times a day for up to a week. (It works best for treating a few local bites.) Now go use your nails for something useful like trying out polishes.