RV Gadget Box | March/April 2013

 Compiled by Mark Nemeth #45776

Ease the pain—the pain and itching of bug bites, that is. Now I know from experience that, as RVers, we are in a position to encounter more bugs than anyone else as we travel down the road. I’m not talking about all of those bugs on the windshield; I’m referring to the local bugs at your campsite who see RVers as tasty “new meat.” While I can’t offer a gadget that will render you invisible to bugs, I can offer one to help deal with the inevitable aftermath of a bug bite or sting.

The Therapik is a small battery-powered device that fits in your pocket or purse. From the Therapik Website: “Therapik is based on a very simple, scientifically proven principle. Most insect venom is thermolabile (sensitive to heat). Therapik’s patented technology delivers heat in the specific temperature range necessary to neutralize the venom from over 20,000 different species of insects and sea creatures.” To use it, you simply hold the business end lightly to the bite spot and press the button. The Therapik applies controlled heat directly to the bite, immediately relieving the itch or pain, and acts to neutralize the insect venom. The source of the infrared heat is a small electric bulb driven by a nine-volt alkaline battery.

I’ll admit that this sounds like one of those as-seen-on-TV infomercials, but in my personal experience this simple little gadget really does work! Mosquitoes don’t bother me all that much, and I can usually run fast enough to escape from the wasps, but I bought mine specifically to deal with fire-ant bites. For those who haven’t had the pleasure, a fire-ant bite is capable of itching and burning continuously for about a week if you leave it alone. However, if you scratch it even once, it will itch and burn for at least three weeks! I tried everything I could think of on these bites, and nothing worked for me. Finally, on the advice of a friend, I bought a Therapik. I was quite skeptical but gave it a try anyway, and you know what? It worked! I apply the heat in a few 20-to-30 second sessions directly to a new bite, and it immediately stops itching and begins to heal. In a few days, it has completely disappeared. Hallelujah! You can pick up a pair of these great little gadgets for about $20 at Walmart, or order them online. I hope it works for you as well as it works for me.