Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Using resources from the kitchen
• Method 2 of 4: Using products from the store
• Method 3 of 4: Using herbs and essential oils
• Method 4 of 4: Using water, heat and pressure
• Tips
• Warnings

A mosquito bite can be annoying and the itchiness can distract you, but luckily there are several ways to treat a mosquito bite. For best results, treat the area immediately after being bitten. Clean the area as soon as possible with rubbing alcohol, a disinfectant cloth, or plain tap water. The itching will not go away until the bite has healed, but you can use various remedies such as lemon juice and aloe vera gel to relieve the itchiness.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Using resources from the kitchen

1. Use a lemon or lime. Cut the fruit into pieces and rub it gently over the affected area, or just spray a little juice on it. Citric acid ensures that the itching is soothed.
2. Use oatmeal. Oatmeal is known for its anti-itch properties, so make a paste of ground oatmeal and a little water. Apply the paste on the mosquito bite, let it dry and then wash it off your skin.
3. Apply a little meat tenderizer on the mosquito bite. Mix the meat tenderizer with a little water before applying. Let the mixture dry and then rinse it off your skin.
4. Apply a little honey to the bite. Honey softens the affected area and provides much-needed relief from the itching.
5. Put apple cider vinegar on the bite. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and hold it against the mosquito bite. Keep it there for a few minutes. This should help relieve the pain.
   • You can also make a paste of apple cider vinegar and flour. This will help dry out the bite and the vinegar will also soothe itching. Apply the paste to the affected area and let the paste dry. Wash the paste off your skin with warm water.
6. Use baking soda. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda with 500 ml of warm water. Gently apply the paste to the affected area. Leave the paste on for a few minutes and then rinse your skin with warm water. A strong alkaline mixture like this often helps to soothe the itchiness of a mosquito bite.

Method 2 of 4: Using products from the store

1. Look for over-the-counter medications to relieve itching. Products such as ByeBites and After Bite can help relieve pain. Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion can also help reduce itching and swelling. Use the product of your choice according to the directions on the packaging and the package insert. If you have any questions or cannot find a suitable product, talk to your pharmacist.
2. Make an aspirin paste. The aspirin helps to soothe the pain and reduce the swelling and itching. However, do not use aspirin if you are allergic to it.
   • You can also make a paste of heartburn tablets containing calcium carbonate. This also helps to soothe the itching.
3. Apply alcohol to the affected area. Alcohol can have a cooling effect, temporarily relieving the itching. It also dries out the bite, making it smaller and reducing swelling.
4. Dab a little toothpaste on the bite. This can be a great help to relieve itching. It is best to use a plain-tasting toothpaste. Spread the toothpaste on the bite and let the toothpaste dry overnight. Wash the toothpaste off your skin in the morning with cool water and a mild soap. The toothpaste dries out the bite and reduces skin irritation.
   • Do not use gel toothpaste as it is not suitable for this method.
5. Use soap. Wash the area with soap and water. Soap may be enough to relieve itching. Use a mild soap to keep your skin from drying out and becoming more irritated.

Method 3 of 4: Using herbs and essential oils

1. Use aloe vera gel. Spread aloe vera gel on the bite or rub it with a broken leaf from the aloe vera plant to soothe the itchiness. This medicine is known to soothe and heal problem areas on the skin.
2. Try basil. By crushing and applying fresh basil leaves to the bite, you can naturally soothe the itchiness. Basil contains thymol and camphor, both of which help to naturally soothe itching. Basil can also work well to repel insects so you don't get bit again.
3. Use the leaves of the plantain. You can roll the plantain leaves between your fingers to squeeze out the juice or rub the mosquito bite with a juicy leaf. The itching should be gone within a minute.
4. Bring lavender oil on the bite. You can quickly relieve the itching by dabbing a small amount of lavender oil on the affected area.
   • You can also try dabbing some witch hazel on the bite.
5. Try it with melaleuca or tea tree oil. This oil is known to cure many ailments and can also soothe the itching caused by a mosquito bite.
   • Put a drop of tea tree oil on an ice-cold compress of witch hazel. This will help soothe the burning and itching sensation.

Method 4 of 4: Using water, heat and pressure

1. Push or hit the mosquito bite with your hand. Don't do this too hard, but firm enough to distract yourself from the itch for a while.
2. Take a relaxing warm bath. Add strong bird's-wall tea, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar, or 2 ounces of ground oatmeal to the bath water to help soothe your itching.
   • You can also add some essential oils to your bath to make the bath water smell nice, cleanse the bite, and soothe your skin.
   • Make sure the water is not too hot and that you do not sit in the water for more than 20 minutes or else your skin can dry out.
3. Place an ice pack or ice cube on the bite. Leave the ice on the affected area for about 20 minutes to relieve the itchiness.
4. Push a warm spoon onto the bite. Place a metal spoon in boiling water and leave it there for a minute. Remove the spoon from the water, let it cool for 5 to 10 seconds, then press it against the bite. Hold the spoon against it for 10 to 30 seconds. Do this several times while the water is still hot, and do this several times a day until the affected area has healed.

Tips

• You can react more strongly to mosquitoes that come from a place other than your home. There are many mosquito species and you may react more strongly to the bites of certain species.
• Put a band-aid on the bite if you think you might scratch it in your sleep.
• Do not be discouraged if a remedy or product does not work immediately. Some products may need to be applied two or three times before they really work. The area will eventually stop itching. In the meantime, try to distract yourself by doing something else.
• On colder summer days, try wearing a thin jacket to protect your shoulders, neck, and arms.
• Clean a mosquito bite immediately if you notice one.
• Try applying a few drops of oregano oil after cleaning the mosquito bite. You can do this every 2 hours.
• Try to put on long socks if you mainly get bitten on your feet and ankles. This is an especially good idea if you are trying to sleep.
• Dry skin can make a mosquito bite more itchy. Applying some protective lotion or moisturizer to the bite may also help.
• Do not use perfume with a sweet scent and do not wear dark clothing as this will attract mosquitoes.
• Prevent mosquito bites by taking precautions. Do not go outside during the times when mosquitoes are most active (when the sun comes up and when it sets), put insect screens on your windows and repair cracks in your screens immediately, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants and use a means that repels insects with an ingredient such as DEET, icaridin (also called picaridin) or lemon eucalyptus oil.

Warnings

• Talk to your doctor about oral antihistamines to start using if you think you are allergic to mosquito bites. If you are allergic, the bites will swell immediately.
• Whatever you try, scratch not to the bites and rub there not across. This will only make the itching worse.
• If the itching doesn't stop and the bitten area doesn't heal, see your doctor. Skin that is inflamed or infected should be treated medically.
• Mosquitoes can carry certain serious diseases that they can transmit to humans, such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever. It's important to take steps to protect yourself so you don't get bitten.
• See your doctor right away if you develop a fever, headache, body aches, or other signs of infection.