Fast and effective ways to soothe mosquito bites - Ask the experts: answers to your questions from the leaders in natural medicine

Mosquitoes love me. Can homeopathy relieve the itching and swelling of their bites?

JENNIFER JACOBS, M.D., M.P.H., REPLIES: Several homeopathic remedies can provide relief from mosquito bites and other common insect bites. Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted plant, mineral, or animal substances that boost your body's healing powers. You can purchase these remedies in most natural food stores and some drugstores. To select the right remedy, find the description below that most closely matches your symptoms. Take that remedy in the 12C potency every one to two hours or the 30C potency every two to three hours until your symptoms improve. Don't eat or drink anything other than water for 15 minutes before and after taking the remedy. If you don't find relief after two doses, try another of the options below. If after being bitten your throat swells, you have difficulty breathing, or you feel apathetic and can't think clearly, seek emergency treatment immediately.

The first remedy to consider for nearly any insect bite is Apis mellifica. It's appropriate if the site is puffy, swells quickly, and looks rosy red. In most cases it will sting, burn, and feel worse when you apply warmth or heat. The affected area may feel hot and be sensitive to the touch.

If Apis does not relieve your symptoms within a few hours, try Urtica urens, which also helps if you have stinging and intense itching at the site of the bite along with redness and swelling.

Try Hypericum perfoliatom if you experience shooting, stitching pain along a nerve following a bite. It is also useful for bites in areas with lots of nerve tissue, like the ends of your fingers or toes.

Ledum palustrum works best if the affected area becomes cold, pale, and numb, while the skin around the bite looks bloated, mottled, and purplish in color. The bite may also be extremely sensitive to the touch and feels better from cold applications, like soaking in cold water.

JENNIFER JACOBS, M.D., M.P.H., is a family practice physician specializing in homeopathy. She is a clinical assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle and co-author with Wayne Jonas, M.D., of Heating with Homeopathy (Warner Books, 1996).

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