The most important thing is not to itch. Itching and scratching can infect the bite and lead to serious health-problems. It helps to put a Band-aid over the bite, especially when asleep. To stop the itching, either cool the bite or use a very hot washcloth to treat the swollen area. The heat helps to dissolve the poison, if compression is used instantly.
Remedies Found in the Kitchen
A homemade remedy to stop the itch can be made with simple ingredients, which can be found in any kitchen. Simply puree or finely grind a potato, add some raw onion and vinegar and mix until it has the consistency of a paste. Put on bite for instant relief. Both onion and vinegar are anti-inflammatory. Due to the evaporation the paste also acts cooling.
Other food-items, which help are:
- banana peel (rub inside on bite)
- lemon- or lime-juice
- lemon- or lime-slice
- vinegar and salt
- wet sugar-cubes
- yeast-water solution
- pure horseradish rubbed on the skin
- cabbage juice (squeeze a leave for a few drops)
- honey
Simply apply on affected area. If the itch comes back, use the homemade remedy again or try another one. Everybody is different. And what works for one person, might not work as well for another one. Since all these ingredients are not expensive and usually readily available, it is easy to experiment a little.
Itch-relief Items in the Bathroom
Toothpaste is the number one remedy for many people. It helps to dry out pimples overnight and it also helps to protect a mosquito-bite and works as an easy to apply itch-relief. Also try to rub dry soap on the bite. Rubbing alcohol, mouthwash and deodorant also help if applied on the bite. A very hot shower can bring instant relief.
Prevent and Heal with Essential Oils
Gentle store-bought itch-relief creams mostly contain menthol, eucalyptus oil as active ingredients. Tiger balm and witch hazel also works. Essential oils are also a gentle mosquito repellent: lavender-oil and carnation-oil work best, tea tree oil
Since mosquito bites are not only irritating and annoying, but mosquitoes can also carry various viruses and diseases it is best to prevent bites. Wear socks and a long-sleeve T-shirt in the evening. Use repellents or essential oils to protect uncovered skin. Mosquitoes like the smell of sweat, dabbing a few drops of lavender oil is therefore pretty effective.
Protect and Use Itch-Relief Instantly
Since cortisone-creams have strong side effects try not use those for mosquito-bites, except in very serious cases. If the swelling is extreme or does not get better after a few days, see a doctor. Otherwise just be careful to protect uncovered skin and use itch-relief remedies instantly when necessary. Do not forget to put a band-aid if scratching the bites might be a problem. Learn about homemade and natural mosquito repellents.
Josefine Köhn-Haskins - Josefine Köhn-Haskins is an award winning journalist, author and correspondent.
Join the Conversation