It’s so hot out! And so grossly humid! So much so that I never want to leave my apartment. Recently, though, I did leave (please clap) and rented a car to go for a very long hike up a mountain (please clap again). I did it for the endorphins, which I got post five-mile trek (woo!), but I also left with some very unwelcome and utterly irritating bug bites.
I was born and raised in Florida, which means I should be used to hot, soupy swampland weather—and the creepy crawly variety of bugs that come along with it. But, let’s be real, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to (or tolerate) mosquitos.
I’ve luckily never experienced hives, but I’ve had many red, itchy, inflamed bumps that just won’t quit. By the time I got home from my mini Mount Everest excursion (lol, it was five miles), I had half a dozen bites and half a mind to scratch them all off. But I didn’t! Instead, I followed these tips:
1. Cleanse: As soon as I got home, I showered and softly scrubbed any dirt and gunk off my scratched spots with a gentle cleanser, like the Naturium Energizer Mandelic Acid Body Wash. Gotta keep the bacteria at bay!
2. Soothe: After my shower, I dabbed an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream onto the inflamed bumps, because it’s formulated to calm irritation and itch. I used the CeraVe 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, but any drugstore version will do the trick.
3. Ice: The itchiness eased up a bit after I applied the hydrocortisone cream, so I didn’t feel the need to follow it up with this tip, but I definitely have iced itches in the past. You can use an ice pack, or if you’re like me, a single ice cube wrapped in a paper towel (chic!), holding it on the inflamed area for a few minutes at a time. If you’re fancy, though, an ice roller, like the Doré Le Glaçon, could also do the trick.
We’re a few days out from my “attack,” and my bug bites are already starting to fade out.
Reader Question
How to make seb derm and KP go away forever?
— asks Anonymous Allure Reader
Dear Reader,
Unfortunately, both seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes itchy, scaly patches on the scalp) and keratosis pilaris (rough, scaly bumps on limbs) are chronic. That means, sadly, they’ll never go away.
However, there are treatments—over-the-counter and prescription—that can help mediate the symptoms for both conditions. But before stocking up on dandruff shampoos and exfoliating body creams, consult a board-certified dermatologist to find a treatment plan that works best for you—and your skin, from head to toe.
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor’s Pick
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BEST TINTED SUNSCREEN: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50
- Super blendable lightweight texture
- Light but buildable coverage with high sun protection
- Comes in 14 shades
Quick Tip
If you plan on hanging outdoors this summer, skip spritzing on your favorite fragrance before leaving the house—it could attract bugs, namely, mosquitoes. Female skeeters tend to prefer floral scents best, so bid adieu to your beloved Delina and grab the DEET instead.
Book Club
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
🌶️🌶️🌶️ .5 out of 5
A cowboy, a brother’s bff, and a summer on a ranch makes for a super-steamy forbidden love story. Never did I think I’d be interested in Western romances, but after devouring this book in less than a day, I’m definitely changing my tune to the, er, country station. 🤠