What Is the Treatment for Noseeum Bites?
As of September 2014, very little has actually been written about treatment for no-see-um (also known as biting midges) bites. However, Debra Jaliman, MD, an expert who writes for WebMD, states that a recent study done in the United Kingdom found that the only real remedies for bites were either cold-water compresses or complete inaction. Jaliman also states from personal experience that ice cubes are effective.
In the study referenced by Jaliman on WebMD, no-see-um bites were grouped together with gnats, mosquitoes and fleas, and they should be treated in the same way. According to emedicinehealth, serious reactions to insect bites should be taken seriously and treated in the emergency room. Treatment can begin with Benadryl or steroids. If the symptoms of no-see-um bites are limited to itching and minor redness, they may be treated like mosquito bites. Aside from simply not scratching them or applying a cold water compress, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion may provide some relief, according to the Mayo Clinic.
As stated on the Purdue University website, biting midges are very small flies and severe pests. Although they are extremely annoying, they do not constitute a public health risk because they have never been known to transmit disease agents.