I'm particularly allergic, too. Bites on me break out into big inflamed mounds that ooze from the center. Horrendously itchy, rather disgusting. I, too, try to wash them well, use antihistamines, and keep them covered with an antibiotic to prevent infection.

I get bit ALL the time. Since I'm actually kind of a mess, my immune system doesn't work to heal them as fast, so sometimes I HAVE to open them because they get infected before they heal. BUT in order to stop the itching - I tend to use cold water. Like... ice-cold. Just leave it there for a few, and the itching lessens. Doesn't stop, but lessens.

Wow, I do the X on the bug bites too. But I like combining that with the anti-itch cream.