3 Year Review.Therapik Insect Sting Therapy

Normark

Normark

Joined
Nov 7, 1999
Messages
6,651
Hey Guys...

Well it's Insect Sting season again...
My son was already stung once, badly on the neck.

I've been using a device called a Therapik for insect bites for well over three years now...

This device seen below is Absolutely the only thing I will use on insect bites and stings, if i have a choice.We have a couple, one that travels with us, the other is kept in the cabinet ready for use.

It is a little different from the original version I'm using.

http://www.crittercontrol.com/catalog/en-us/dept_23.html

The device works by gently heating the sting/bite location, thus converting the poison into a protein, which reduces swelling, and magically relieving pain almost instantly.

Immediately after an insect sting/bite, the device is applied to the effected area, by positioning the orfice against the area, and pushing the button.

A small light comes on, which heats the area.
Generally the way I use it is to apply it until the stingee cannot handle the heat any more. I then re-apply several more times as soon as possible.

After several of these applications, the pain from the sting is nearly gone.

I have read that re-application on insect stings can be done several hours or even days after, however I have no proof of this, as I haven't needed it more than the initial applications.

It is also suppose to work on poison ivy itch, again I have no proof of this myself...

This device is By far is the Absolute best thing to treat insect stings I have ever seen or tried... I Swear to you,, that you won't be disappointed with it, and no house or gear bag should be without one.

If you have kids who get stung all the time like mine do, it's an invaluable piece of outdoors gear...

Try one,, you'll like it!!

ttyle

Eric...
 
Electric? How long does it take?

Could I get similar results by lighting up my Zippo for a while, the case gets hot, then just apply that to the sing/bite?

I know hot water is supposed to be the best for jelly fish sings (supposedly better than peepee or the vinegar/bakingsoda). Especially when of those F*ers wraps around your arm... :mad: I hate those things.
 
On my recent survival school trip I got HAMMERED by chigger bites. I had camped in this area numerous times and never had problems before so I didn't bother to use repellent on my legs. By day two I had about 100 bites.
I suspect we had been through an area previously frequented by cattle.

How hot does this thing get? How large is the tip of the heating element? How much does it cost? Why don't I just click on the stupid link?

This sounds like a good improvised field remedy, as long as were not searing the tips of large, red hot bowie knives into our ankles. Mac
 
Hey Guys....

underaged..

Yes it is electric..It takes a 9V batt.

As far as using a lighter..Yes that will work also, I've done it before when I didn't have the therapik..

However...

The therapik is a controlled heat which I believe only gets to 120 degrees. It's a more accurate way of doing it..
Even with the therapik I have overdone it by holding it too long causing a blister..
20-30 secs per application should be enough...

Pic..

The heating element is about the size of a normal pencil...
Yaa everything is in the link...

The link BTW was grabbed off of Google, so I can't vouch for them..They are sold by quite a few retailers,, so you may want to look around a little..

In Canada, they are sold by Canadian Tire, thats where I got mine..

ttyle

Eric...
 
I am very interested in this thing. The principle is very sound, but I am not sure about converting "poison into protein".

Warming a bitten area will increase blood flow and disperse the irritant causing the itch. A handkerchief dipped in hot water will ease a lot of stings, but this is the first time I have heard of an electronic solution.

Thanks for the info, Normark.

This is well worth more homework. Would be an essntial item in a well stocked BOB if it works as claimed.
 
Yeah, I'm with Bluey...not converting toxin to protein, simply heating the area which causes a vasodilation of the capillaries=increased blood flow=toxin is dispersed quicker. Same principle as applying heating pads to injured area, but hey it doesn't mean it doesn't work to ease the pain. :)
 
jokrswylde said:
Yeah, I'm with Bluey...not converting toxin to protein, simply heating the area which causes a vasodilation of the capillaries=increased blood flow=toxin is dispersed quicker. Same principle as applying heating pads to injured area, but hey it doesn't mean it doesn't work to ease the pain. :)
Click to expand...

Bees and yellowjackets (and other aparented species) venom are destroyed by heat. Around 60°C, they stop to be a problem, so if you heat the area just after a sting, with a cigarette, a match or whatever, it relieves pain and stops the swelling right there (it will stop growing and it will ease up).

Venom pumps are also very effective against such stings. Much more than on snake bites, where the venom (when injected) is injected much deeper and with a lot more pressure.

Another good tip is a humble plantain leaf, crushed in your fist and rubbed against the sting. Plantain juice is a powerful antihistamine. The plantain trick also works or minor burns, rashes, and irritations (like stinging nettle for example... as nettles hair contain histamine).

Cheers,

David
 
David- Most objects can cause 3rd degree burns at 60 C (140 d F) in less than four seconds..that's pretty serious. I would caution anybody doing that who is not a trained professional. Try using a paste of baking soda and water, or an onion cut in half, both work very well, and safely, for bee stings.
 
jokrswylde said:
Most objects can cause 3rd degree burns at 60 C (140 d F) in less than four seconds..that's pretty serious.
Click to expand...
Yeah, when you heat up the skin with the match, don't place the match directly on the skin for an extended period of time. I figure David assumed most people would know that. If you hold it above the skin, you will get a warning of searing pain long before you get even a first degree burn.

While a match head is hot, it produces very little actual heat because the volume of heated material is small. Unless you actually try to burn yourself it is difficult to get even a first degree burn, let alone cook through multiple layers of skin, unless the person you were doing it to was unconscious and you were blind.

-Cliff
 
Hey Guys...

As far as heat, venom, and protein is concerned..

This is one of the teachings from Ron Hood. In one of his survival videos he eaplains how bees, wasps, and hornets can safely be eaten, by boiling them in water. They can safely be eaten, because the cooking or heat, transforms the venom into a harmless protein.

As far as using other methods of heat, ie. matches, lighters ect. They work,Cliff is correct..Some common sense needs to be used when doing this.

However I would prefer to use the Therapik over anything, including home remedies, natural remedies, or other bee sting off the shelf products.

This unit simple works that well, for me, and everyone I've used it on..

ttyle

Eric...
 
Anybody tried it on sand flies sting? Nothing seem to work for me as far as sand flies are cocern. Boy...they itch like hell for weeks.
 
Akee, if the sand flies you refer to are the brine flies we have at New Jersey beaches, Repel Lemon / Eucalyptus is effective in repelling them. I've tried numerous other repellants without success. In fact 100% deet is like love potion #9 to those beasts.
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys...

Well it's Insect Sting season again...
My son was already stung once, badly on the neck.

I've been using a device called a Therapik for insect bites for well over three years now...

This device seen below is Absolutely the only thing I will use on insect bites and stings, if i have a choice.We have a couple, one that travels with us, the other is kept in the cabinet ready for use.

<snip> http://www.crittercontrol.com/catalog/en-us/dept_23.html

The device works by gently heating the sting/bite location, thus converting the poison into a protein, which reduces swelling, and magically relieving pain almost instantly.

Immediately after an insect sting/bite, the device is applied to the effected area, by positioning the orfice against the area, and pushing the button.

A small light comes on, which heats the area.
Generally the way I use it is to apply it until the stingee cannot handle the heat any more. I then re-apply several more times as soon as possible.
<NOTE by dcarter 19 May 16: This is the point that later commenters missed, who alleged "blistering of skin">
After several of these applications, the pain from the sting is nearly gone.

<snip>
Try one,, you'll like it!!

ttyle

Eric...
Click to expand...

I tried it 8 May 2016 and a 2 day old chigger bite never itched again. I've tried everything mentioned on-line for chiggers and this is the only thing that works. Chiggers itch for 10 days on me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top