Over-the-counter remedies for insect bites may not work Doctors and pharmacists recommend a range of remedies for bites, with the overall market for bite and sting relief medication worth an estimated £14 million a year, but the study claimed the products are not backed up by evidence. Antihistamine tablets are one of the most commonly recommended therapies, but the study's authors said there was little evidence to show that they worked, and that most clinical studies had been carried out in Finland with drugs not licensed for use in Britain. Antihistamines are also available in the form of creams such as Anthisan, but the review said these were "generally not recommended" and doctors' guidelines state that they have little effect. Other options include steroid creams and tablets to reduce itching and swelling, such as hydrocortisone ointments, but there is no solid evidence to suggest that they work in patients who do not suffer from eczema, the article said. These creams should not be used on the face or on broken skin, a common side-effect of scratching, the authors added. Creams containing painkillers or anaesthetics are only "marginally effective," they said, while there is no solid evidence to support the use of the anti-itch preparation Eurax. The review concluded: "There is little evidence for the efficacy of treatments for simple insect bites. The symptoms are often self limiting and in many cases, no treatment may be needed. The researchers said that recommendations for over the counter treatments were generally based on doctors' opinions and experience with patients, rather than on firm clinical evidence. David Phizackerley, who led the study, said: "There is a scientific background to why these things might work but what is lacking is the hard evidence to show it works. For most small insect bites you may not need any treatments, but if people wish to try them, these drugs have been used for a long time and they are not likely to be harmful if they are used properly. Novartis, which manufactures Eurax, said the cream is licensed to relieve itching from a variety of causes including sunburn, rashes, chickenpox and insect bites and stings, and that safety and efficacy evidence was "rigorously reviewed." Sanofi-Aventis, the manufacturer of Anthisan, declined to comment on the study. Dr Heinz Schneider, pharmaceuticals medical director at Boots, the high street chemist, said: "Whilst reactions to bites and stings differ from person to person, most people want to have immediate soothing relief and we aim to sell a wide range of medicinal and non-medicinal products that meet these needs. Boots-branded products containing the active ingredients mentioned in the article are all licensed medicines. This means their effectiveness in providing relief for insect bites and associated itching is confirmed and approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.