My name is Zen Chwialkowski. I’m 74 years old, and i’m the founder, and developer behind The ItchyStick, proudly produced by my company  Zen Wellness Pty Ltd.

My journey started in 1989, when I moved from Melbourne to Ballina, on the northern coast of New South Wales. I was ready to retire and spend my days fishing -Simple. But nature had other plans. I found myself constantly under attack by mozzies, sandflies, midges – you name it. My arms and legs were bitten to pieces.

I turned to everything – antihistamines creams, chemical lotions -but not only did they not work, they started giving me side effects. Some made me feel ill. Others left scars. I was embarrassed by the way my skin looked. 

But I was fed up – with the bites, the scratching, and the never – ending itch. One night I started searching online for what might actually work. That’s when I stumbled onto something fascinating: how stimulating certain nerve sensors on the body can change the brain’s response- even turning histamine overload into calming endorphins.

That was the lightbulb moment. I started tinkering -with anything I could find, even a fish scaler – trying to create something that could naturally switch off and calm the itch

After years of trial and error, I finally built a working  prototype, I tired it on myself, then on a few mates. And It worked. The itching stopped within seconds. For the first time, I had real, drug – free relief

But  convincing others was tough. No one believed me. I lost heart and shelved the idea. At least I had my ItchyStick.

Recently, while  visiting my niece and her husband on the Gold Coast, I handed them an ItchyStick to try – they’re both were avid gardeners an always getting bitten. Eventually, they tested it on some nasty green ant bites that stung like crazy, and those relentless midge bites. That was the last I saw of ItchyStick. It worked too well to give back.

Slowly, feedback began to come back- mates saying how well it worked.  People telling me it relieved all of itching, even skin conditions like tinea versa colour . That’s when the penny dropped.I had a winner!

Now, my niece Annette is head of Marketing for Itchy Stick, and together we’re finally one step closer to our goal

Today, our mission continues- getting The ItchyStick into more hands, and onto more itchy skin – across Australia and beyond. No chemicals. Just real, fast natural relief.

This is a product born from experience, frustration, and deep desire to solve a problem that so many of us deal with – every day.

Scratch less. Smile more.

Zed Chwialkowski