Heat pen
A heat pen (also known as a thermal stick) is a device used to mitigate the effects of an insect sting (e. g. wasp sting) or insect bite (e. g. mosquito bite) by briefly heating the skin.
Shape
[edit]The heat pen is available either as a pen-like device[1] or as a USB-attachment[2] for the smartphone.
Effect
[edit]A heat pen has a ceramic or metal plate at the tip, which heats to 50 to 60 °C. The heated plate is brought into contact with the area of skin affected by the insect bite for 3 to 10 seconds, causing the skin to briefly heat up to 53 °C (local hyperthermia). The heat activates various physiological processes. For example, it is assumed that the insect proteins are destroyed (denatured) and the body's histamine release is reduced.[3] This results in symptom relief, for example itching is avoided. Due to the short application time, the skin is not damaged. The positive effect of the heat stick could be confirmed by a study, however employees of the manufacturer are the lead authors and may be biased.[4]
The exact effect is not known; various mechanisms are discussed.[5]
The same mode of action is also used to treat cold sores.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Insider Picks 23 Aug 2020 (2020-08-23). "Wespen-Saison: Dieses nützliche Gerät solltet ihr gerade immer dabei haben" (in German).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Benedikt Schwimmbeck. "Heat it im Test: Smartphone-Gadget gegen juckende Stiche" (in German).
- ^ Kedves, Jan (2020-08-17). "Elektronische Stichheiler: Hitze gegen das Jucken". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Christian Mueller, Grossjohann, Fischer (December 2011), "The use of concentrated heat after insect bites/stings as an alternative to reduce swelling, pain, and pruritus: an open cohort-study at German beaches and bathing-lakes", Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, vol. 4, p. 191, doi:10.2147/CCID.S27825, ISSN 1178-7015, PMC 3257884, PMID 22253544
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Studienzusammenfassung" (PDF) (in German).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mückenstiche mögen's heiß" (in German). 2016-08-11.