Earlier this month, I was mercilessly attacked by what I can only assume was a swarm of rabid mosquitos.

I am not unfamiliar with the itchy caress of this long-legged demon, but every now and then a family of them decide to create a buffet line down my limbs like the glutinous beasts they are.

I am a human mosquito repellant for those around me. Stay close to me at the outdoor function because they will bite every inch of my body before they even consider touching you.

I’ve learned a lot about mosquitos over the last few weeks, as I feared they would inevitably kill me one day if I didn’t go The Art of War on their little asses.

We are all somewhat allergic to their saliva, which is what makes us bumpy and itchy after they feed on us. But some of us are even more sensitive.

This rare phenomenon is called Skeeter Syndrome:

“Skeeter syndrome happens when your body overreacts to proteins in mosquito saliva (spit). When a mosquito bites you, it injects you with its saliva. If your immune system reacts to proteins in the saliva, you can get large areas of swelling and itching. Symptoms usually start eight to 10 hours after the bite and get better within three to 10 days.

Different types of mosquitoes have different proteins in their saliva. You may react to some types of mosquitoes and not others.” (Cleveland Clinic)

I’m talking welts. Unbearable itching. Fever. Pure misery for almost an entire week, with the discoloration to prove it even 20 days later.

I tried everything to control my symptoms: Benadryl (oral), Benadryl (topical), Hydrocortisone creams (PLURAL), steaming hot showers, Calamine lotion, the Bug Bite Thing… I even tried this trick I saw on Reddit where you heat up a metal spoon and put it over the bites. Nothing was working.

As the days went on, I grew more and more frustrated with how little all of these internet recommendations helped.

“Nothing else worked but THIS.”

“I swear by this brand, it’s the only thing that helped me.”

But none of it was working for me.

Finally, I decided to see a doctor and get a prescription topical ointment — which, don’t even get me started on why I have to go through a doctor to get anti-itch cream.

The combination that finally gave me relief was:

• Triamcinolone Cream

• Pure aloe (s/o to my mom’s garden)

• Compression socks

• Ice packs, all over my legs, for at least 10 minutes

In that exact order!

It took days of torture and discomfort to figure this out, countless Google searches and Reddit threads and trial and error. But I found the combo that worked for my body.

It was annoying! Painful! Crazy-making! Expensive! But I kept trying, and it finally paid off. Next time (which, I pray there won’t be but know it’s likely), I’ll be ready.

It’s difficult to recommend a solution that will work for everybody. Not all solopreneurs (or mosquito bite reactions) are the same.