It's a waste of money to buy over-the-counter products for insect bites, a new review suggests.

Drugs like antihistamine products, steroid creams and tablets for itching and inflammation, and painkiller creams are used to ease the annoying itches after a mosquito, bedbug, flea or fly strikes. But there's little evidence that the products work.

Most insect bites clear up on their own. (CBC)

Thursday's issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin published by the British Medical Journal summarizes how different types of insects inflict their damage.

The authors then outline the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the treatments for simple insect bites that aren't followed by anaphylactic shock or serious infection.

Anaphylaxis can be fatal and can be triggered by specific foods, airborne allergens, stings and bites, and drugs or vaccines.

"There is little direct evidence for the efficacy of treatments for simple insect bites," the reviewers concluded.

The bites usually clear up on their own.

For mild reactions, they suggest:

• Cleaning the area.
• Applying a cold compress.
• Giving oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed.

It's only when the insect's saliva causes an infection, a flare-up of eczema or anaphylactic shock that treatment is warranted, they said.