Health briefs: Leave those bites alone

A new report says there is little evidence that over-the-counter insect bite remedies actually work. In addition, most reactions to insect bites are mild and don't require any treatment, according to the evidence review in the British journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.

When insects such as mosquitoes bite a person, the saliva they inject can cause a reaction. In a few cases, this can lead to infection, an eczema flare-up or even anaphylactic shock. But most insect bites cause only a mild reaction involving itching, pain and swelling. Antihistamines are widely recommended to ease insect bite-related itching, but there's no proof that this is effective. That's also the case for steroid creams and tablets to treat itching and inflammation caused by insect bites.

They're berry berry good for you

Regularly consumption of food and drink rich in substances called flavonoids, such as berries, apples, tea and red wine, can lower a man's risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 40 percent, new research suggests.

For women, however, a reduction in risk was only seen when they ate at least several servings of berries a week, according to the study. Men also had a risk reduction from frequently eating berries.

"For total flavonoids, the beneficial result was only in men. But, berries are protective in both men and women," said the study's lead author, Xiang Gao, a research scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health.