I'm no stranger to bug bites and I'll admit that when you log over 100-miles of hiking in mid-summer, you get bit. With the amount of hiking that I typically do, getting bit by bugs has become a real issue. And while you can wear a bug net on your head, long pants and long sleeves, the bugs will still find a way in.
With that in mind, I've tried all sorts of bug sprays and treatments to prevent or mitigate bites; and short of blazing hot water in the shower, nothing seems to help. Add in getting stung early in a multi-mile hike, and you'll know why I am always in search of an effective bug bite treatment.
This is where Bite Away comes in. This new device is an electronic device that treats bites and stings and here are some fast facts courtesy of Bite Away:
Electronic medical device used for the external treatment of bites and stings from mosquitoes, wasps, hornets, gnats, horseflies, and other pesky insects
German pharmaceutical manufacturer MibeTec’s first product launch in the U.S.
Available for purchase at takethebiteaway.com and Amazon
FDA cleared and chemical-free treatment
Suitable for expectant mothers, allergy sufferers, and children ages 2+
The device uses concentrated heat to soothe a bite or sting, it is small enough to pack in your backpack, it heats up in seconds and it has a ceramic tip to deliver the heat exactly where you want it. This was intriguing to me because I've always found that the heat from a hot shower is really effective on bug bites. As funny as this may sound, I can't wait to try it out…so off we go.
I'm never in any hurry to get bit by bugs, but I was curious enough to try the Bite Away to leave myself a bit vulnerable to a bite. On a camping trip last weekend, I intentionally wore a short-sleeved shirt around camp and while hiking, and sure enough a mosquito was happy enough to oblige.
Using Bite Away is as easy as pressing a button. From there you can choose a 3-second or 5-second application; with 5-second being the standard and 3-seconds reserved for more sensitive skin. Of course I went for 5-seconds and applied the ceramic tip to the bite. The tip heats up in just a few seconds and before you know it your mind is now paying attention to the heat, and no longer to the bite.
I left the device in place for the 5-seconds after heating up and when I removed it I no longer felt the bite. I waited a few minutes to see if the bite discomfort would return after the skin cooled down and thankfully it did not. I was prepared to administer the device a second time it the pain or itch returned, but it simply didn't. I tested the device on one other camper who had been stung by a fly and the results were the same, however in her case she did two 3-second applications. These two bites were the only two I've experienced since test driving the Bite Away so stay tuned for updates in the future as I test it more.
In the end I was really impressed by the Bite Away device and how effective it was on a mosquito and fly bite. When every ounce you pack on a 10-mile hike counts, I will definitely pack the Bite Away in my backpack moving forward and I will continue to test it on other insect bites and update if necessary.
Overall I think the Bite Away device and the concept that it uses to relieve bug bites is really unique and effective and I almost can't wait to get stung again to try it out again.
Be sure to check out Bite Away for yourself, and when you do try it, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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