For as long as I can remember, I have been prone to large, itchy, irritating mosquito bites. My husband even calls me his insect repellent — because the mosquitos always go for me, leaving him untouched. During the summer months, I never leave the house without insect repellent (my go-to is OFF! Botanicals). Still, no matter how diligent I am, I inevitably end up with a few bites — usually when I least expect them.
Over the years, I tried seemingly all of the anti-itch remedies, from topical antihistamines to calamine lotion and beyond. But nothing worked quite like the discovery I made a few years ago: grid-shaped itch relief stickers.
How it Works
These stickers are simple, grid-shaped patches — think the same material as a standard Band-Aid. They don't use any medication or lotions in the stickers. Instead, it gets its powers from the grid design, which slightly lifts the outer layer of the skin. This encourages the lymphatic system to drain out the mosquito's saliva — the culprit behind all that swelling and itching.
The key is to apply the sticker immediately after the bite and before you start scratching. (Trust me: once you’ve scratched it, the stickers are way less effective!)
Why Moskinto is My Favorite
There are a few options on the market, but my go-to is Moskinto. The patches stay put surprisingly well — even through showers and swimming — and I usually leave them on for a few days until the bite is healed.
I especially love Moskinto's easy-to-open, compact containers that are convenient to take on the go. The stickers come in two configurations (24- and 48-packs) and three colors: nude, pink and blue. I prefer the nude ones, while my kids love the fun colors.
Final Thoughts
Once I stick one on, I feel relief within minutes: The itching subsides and the swelling goes down. Now that summer’s in full swing, I’ve already used the patches several times—and I know I’ll be relying on them all season long.
If the start of the summer was any indication, it’s shaping up to be a mosquito-filled season. But at least I know I’ve got a simple solution in my back pocket.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
