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Mosquito bites are common but can cause discomfort. Moreover, they cause severe insect-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. Hence, it is highly important to prevent mosquito bites, as much as possible. If mosquitoes bite, it is important treat them rather than neglecting the area. This HealthSpectra post helps you find the best home remedies and treatment for the mosquito bites. Keep reading to be well-informed.
First things first! When mosquito bites,
- Do not scratch the area, to avoid skin irritation.
- Apply OTC hydro-cortisone creams, provided your skin is not sensitive to those medications.
- Try ice packs or cold-compress on the area.
- Check with your physician if the skin irritation like swelling, inflammation, continues.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch and Swell?
When a mosquito bites (female mosquitoes only bite), the feeding stylets (stylet have a pair of mandibles and a pair of maxillae) pierce into your skin. After piercing, the mosquito searches for a blood vessel and begins sucking the blood, thereby rupturing your blood vessels. While the mosquito takes in blood, it also pumps out its saliva into your body. The saliva that enters the body causes allergic reactions and causes itching in that particular area, along with other symptoms of mosquito bites like swelling, inflammation, burning sensation, irritation, etc.
Now, how can the mosquito bites be treated: The best and simple treatment for mosquito bites include:
- Washing the affected skin region with water and soap.
- Wiping the area dry with a clean cloth.
- Applying calamine lotion or anti-itch cream on the skin
- And using OTC anti-histamine.
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Simple home remedies can help cure mosquito bites. Learn about the effective home remedies for mosquito bites below:
1. Aloe Vera for Mosquito Bites:
Vitamins and minerals present in aloe vera help reduce the pain and discomfort in the skin where mosquitoes bite. The natural herb also helps heal faster.
How to use:
Use either fresh aloe vera or aloe vera cream. Apply the gel squeezed out of the aloe vera or the aloe vera cream over the area where the mosquito has bitten.
2. Apply Ice Pack or Cold Compress:
The cold compress or ice pack help relieve itching, pain and swelling at the affected area.
How to use:
Apply ice pack over the sting area for around 20 minutes. Rest in a position that elevates the area to lessen the swelling. Take in OTC medicines to help relieve the discomfort.
3. Try Oatmeal Bath For Mosquito Bites:
Oatmeal not just serves as the delicious breakfast but helps relieve mosquito bite symptoms like swelling and itching. Oatmeal works its natural anti-irritant qualities.
How to use:
Mix equal amount of water and oats in a container and prepare the paste of oatmeal. Take some oatmeal paste on a cloth hold and press the the pasted-side on the affected area of the skin for around 10 minutes. Wash off with water and wipe with a clean cloth.
Alternatively, you may try oatmeal bath. It works wonders. Sprinkle 1 cup oats into warm water in the bathtub and soak in the oatmeal bath for for 20 minutes. Intermittently, keep rubbing clumped oatmeal on the skin.
4. Try Crushed Ice:
Ice is known to reduce the inflammation and offer immediate relief from itching caused due to mosquito bites and mosquito bites rashes.
How to use:
Take crushed ice pieces in a cloth or bag. Do not directly place it on the affected area. Rather, create a barrier between the skin and the ice with the help of a cloth. It helps gain relief from mosquito-bite itching and skin swelling.
5. Honey for Mosquito Bites:
For ages, honey has been the common pick for most home remedies as it has excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Honey applied on the itchy skin, helps reduce the temptation to itch and subsides the rashes formed due to mosquito bites.
How to Use:
Pick natural honey or the best-branded honey. Take a spoonful and spread on the area with itching and mosquito bite rashes. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off with clean water. Repeat 3 to 4 times a day.
6. Basil Works:
Basil is the popular ingredient in Italian dishes, however, it is also popular as the remedy for mosquito bite. This is because of the presence of eugenol, a chemical present in the basil,. According to studies, basil helps relieve itchy skin.
How to Use:
Add 2 cups of water in a container and an ounce of dried basil and bring to boil for 10 minutes to make basil rub. Leave the mixture to cool. After it cools, dip a clean, dry cloth into it and gently rub on the skin with mosquito bites.
As an alternative, may directly rub the freshly chopped basil leaves on to the skin.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar For Mosquito Bites:
Another age-old natural remedy for mosquito bites in the apple cider vinegar. It has been used in the treatment for several medical conditions like infections, blood glucose problems, etc. It works as a natural disinfectant and reduces burning and stinging sensation in the affected areas.
How to use:
In Case of itching or swollen mosquito bites, spread a drop of vinegar on the affected area. Leave for 15 minutes and wash off with clean water.
As an alternative, soak a clean cloth in the liquid made of vinegar and water and apply on the bite. Leave for 20 minutes and wipe off with a clean wet cloth.
8. Chamomile tea:
Yet another common natural remedy for ailments is Chamomile. This member of the daisy family have the properties to reduce skin irritation and speeds up healing when applied on the affected skin.
How to use:
Add dried, crushed Chamomile flowers in a tea bag and steep it in water. Keep it for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Then, take out the tea bag and squeeze excess water and apply on the affected skin for nearly 10 minutes. Wipe it off with a clean cloth. Repeat it 4 to 5 times day. Chill the tea bag in the refrigerator for further use.
9. Garlic:
Many know garlic as an effective natural remedy for heart diseases as well as blood pressure. A bit of garlic works as an effective and easy home remedy, when applied on the skin with a mosquito bite.
How it works:
Mince the garlic into small pieces and stir it in coconut oil at room temperature to reduce garlic pungest potency, yet leaves it as an effective remedy with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Apply the mixture on mosquito bite for 10 minutes and wipe it off with a clean, cool washcloth. Repeat as needed.
Note: Do not directly apply gar
lic straight on the skin as it may cause burning.
10. Onion:
Popular for generating tears, onions can give a great relief to the skin with the mosquito bites. It helps reduce the skin irritation and bites sting. Moreover, onions reduce the chances of any infections, due to the anti-fungal properties.
How to use:
- Take a small onion and chop into pieces.
- Grind the pieces to make a paste.
- Transfer the paste into a clean cloth and squeeze to extract onion juice.
- Apply the juice on the affected areas and leave for 15 minutes.
- Then, wash off with clean water. Repeat as per the requirement.
Thus, several natural remedies work as home therapy for mosquito bites, reducing the resulting swelling, irritation and itching. However, it is always better to avoid mosquito bites and take necessary measures to keep mosquitoes away. If you could not escape, try any of these cost-efficient home remedies for mosquito bites.