How to treat severe itching from insect/sand flea bites in India?

From messages by 4 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 53 days ago

TL;DR

First identify what bit you — a regular mosquito or sand flea — since treatment differs. For regular bites, hydrocortisone cream or a baking soda paste helps; suspected sand flea bites require a different approach.

What the community said

If bites cause unbearable itching, it might be sand fleas rather than mosquitoes — regular anti-itch remedies may not help in this case. It's important to identify the cause before starting treatment.

sand fleas

For bites in India, some recommend buying ivermectin at a pharmacy (available over the counter) and taking it orally, using a mometasone-based hormonal cream topically (well-tolerated, sold in local pharmacies), and taking levocetirizine antihistamine for itching.

ivermectin, mometasone, levocetirizine

Sand flea bites are particularly dangerous because the insect can lay eggs under the skin, causing intense itching and requiring medical attention rather than just topical cream.

To relieve itching from regular mosquito bites, hydrocortisone-based creams (available at pharmacies) or a home remedy of baking soda mixed with water applied to the bite are recommended.

hydrocortisone cream