(no subject)

"The itchiness of mosquito bites is often treated with calamine lotion, which may have a soothing effect. Other insect bite relief sticks such as After Bite are commercially available. Topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and triamcinolone can help with more severe or inopportunely placed bites. Drops of ammonia applied to a mosquito bite will stop the itching and eliminate the swelling. Among Australian school children, a popular home remedy for mosquito bites involves using a ballpoint pen to draw four arrows on the skin, at right angles to one another and each pointing at the mosquito bite. The indentations in the skin made by the pen seem to relieve itching, perhaps combined with a placebo effect." (quote slightly modified from Wikipedia)

Sure -- After Bite, ammonia, and corticosteroids may be effective, but dude, arcane symbols in ballpoint pen are so much cooler.

(Come on Aussies, raise your hand if you did this.)

I never used to get mosquito bites, because especially as a teenager my skin was highly acidic, which mosquitos don't like (no lie, I once had a cheap silver ring fall off my finger after my skin ate through two weak joins in the metal). Body chemistry changes over time, of course, and now I find myself not so much wondering if I'll get a mosquito bite as wondering what interesting place they'll be this time after going outside.