TikTokers believe they’ve found a miracle cure: the hot spoon method. It involves heating a spoon, then gently – but firmly – pressing it onto the mosquito bite for a few seconds.
According to users, the heat neutralizes the itch almost instantly, with some claiming complete relief in under a minute.
“I can help you get rid of bug bites in less than a minute. All you need is a cup, a spoon, and a little bit of water,” the user said in a TikTok clip that’s been viewed by 2.6 million people. “Microwave the water for one minute, stick the spoon in the water for 30 seconds, take the spoon out, and press on the bug bite.”
On the surface, it might sound like a miracle fix. And surprisingly, there’s a bit of science to support the idea.
Temporary fix
Experts say that applying heat to a mosquito bite can take the edge off the itch – but the relief is usually short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
Dr. Calvin Williams, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Essential Dermatology Group in Bedford, Texas, compares the hot spoon effect to a parent’s kiss on a child’s scraped knee – it doesn’t heal the injury, but it helps.
Speaking with Verywell, he explained that “heat provides counter-stimulation which can distract the nerve cells from transmitting the itch signal.”Continue reading…
