CAN A ZAPPER STOP THE IRRITATION?

Boots Bite Relief Click-It, £5.79

CLAIM: A small, hand-held device that ‘soothes the itching and discomfort of mosquito bites with a tiny electrical charge, relieving the urge to scratch’. Apply the unit to the skin as soon as possible after the bite, and press for ten clicks. Repeat as needed.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The itch from an insect bite is due to histamine released from mast cells in your skin,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Natalia Spierings. ‘Instead of trying to block or calm the histamine, this zapper triggers a “distracting” pain in your skin with a tiny electrical charge.

‘It’s a scientifically proven technique that works on the idea that if nerve endings are focusing on the pain from the electrical charge, they won’t “feel” the itch as intensely.

‘It will distract from the itch of a new bite, but won’t help with widespread itching.

‘It’s also not suitable for use by people with certain conditions, such as heart disease or epilepsy and won’t help heal the bite, either.

‘For a cheaper, more reliable alternative, I’d suggest a hydrocortisone 1% cream.’ 2/5