Why this fast-acting insect bite and sting zapper deserves a place in your medicine cabinet
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Summer might be a dizzying whirl of BBQs, garden parties, and holidays, but for millions of us, our exposed skin is like an all-you-can-bite-and-sting buffet for insects.
According to NICE, 56-94% of people are stung by insects like bees, wasps, or ants at least once in their lifetime.
That's because bugs are way more active in the summer months, plus we wear a lot less clothing meaning there's more flesh for them to target.
When we discovered this brilliant device - the Bug Bite Thing, £9.95 - we knew we'd found a summer saviour.
Because there's nothing more miserable than you or your kids dealing with the nauseating pain of a sting, or unsightly mosquito bites that are so itchy, you scratch them until they bleed (which isn't a look we want to rock with our lovely sundresses).
Read on to find out how this genius gadget can ease stings and bites instantly and naturally, and why over 70% of the 64,000 ratings it has are four and five stars...
Why we rate it
In a nutshell, Bug Bite Thing is a suction device that you use immediately after you've been bitten.
It removes insect saliva or venom from under the skin - so that means it gets rid of the itching, tingling, pain, and swelling caused by a bite.
It's suitable for bites/stings from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ants, horseflies and other insects that sting and leave saliva or venom under the skin.
You can flip the tip to treat smaller areas like fingers or toes. The tip and double-sided cap are easily washed after use with soapy water, or a cloth dampened with alcohol. (Just ensure you don't get the rest of the gadget wet or it could lose its suction).
And, bonus Bug Bite Thing can also be used to remove splinters, thorns, or bee spikes.
There are a few things to be aware of though - it's not recommended for use on the face or neck because of the risk of leaving a mark on the more sensitive skin in those areas.
And if you have a severe allergic reaction to a sting or bite, or serious pain, then you need to see a doctor immediately.
What the reviews say
Loads of people from all over the world are raving about how quickly it offers relief from bites, with many saying they'd tried all sorts of creams and tablets previously - none of which are as effective as Bug Bite Thing.
A big winner for most people (aside from its efficacy) is the fact that it's a natural solution.
In fact, one woman wrote that she usually had to get steroid cream or antibiotics due to her reaction to insect bites, but after using this genius gadget on her bite, she didn't need anything else.
Other praise heaped on the gadget in the reviews section included comments like "instant relief", "my saviour", "best purchase ever", "it's a must", "absolutely worth getting" and "game changer".
What's clear is that for just under a tenner, Bug Bite Thing saves you from insect-induced discomfort and pain ruining the rest of your summer or your holiday.
And that's priceless.
Shop now: Bug Bite Thing | £9.95 from Amazon
Add to basket: Amazon's best-selling insect repellant sprays
We also recommend making sure you've got a good insect repellant on hand this summer.
We've uncovered Amazon's best-sellers that are backed up by thousands of reviews and are budget-friendly, starting at just £1.99.
Jungle Formula Maximum Insect Repellent Spray with DEET | £1.99 (was £9.99) from Amazon
An Amazon best seller, this has an Insect Repellent Factor of 4, providing up to 9 hours of total protection. The 50% DEET offers maximum protection for adults and kids over 12. The perfect product for if you're travelling to areas with a high risk of malaria and other insect transmitted diseases. Shoppers love it, saying things like "works a treat" and "best mosquito repellant" and "no more bites". At this price, it's a steal.
Smidge That Midge Insect Repellent | £8.17 from Amazon
"Amazing", "Wow!" "Not one bite" are just three of the comments left by over 7,500 shoppers, so it makes sense that this is another top seller on Amazon. Offering water and sweat-resistant protection for up to 8 hours, it protects against all sorts of biting insects globally (from horseflies, to ticks etc), as well as the infamous Scottish biting midge. Instead of DEET, this contains 20% Picaridn (also known as Saltidin), recommended by WHO, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health England for effective biting-insect protection. This can be used by pregnant women and young children from two years.
