First you catch a glimpse of a mere wisp of movement out of the corner of your eye. You swipe at it, but hit only air as the tiny predator deftly evades your hand and disappears. Then comes the high-pitch buzzing in your ear. Over and over you attempt to swat it away. Sadly, your efforts are all in vain. Before you know it, you’re covered in pink, swollen, itchy bites.
Of all of the pests that arrive with the warmer weather of spring and summer, there are few as annoying and persistent as the infamous mosquito. Before you reach for that tube of hydrocortisone steroid cream to soothe your discomfort, try out one or two of the following fifteen all-natural home remedies to relieve the itch and inflammation of mosquito bites.
A Little About the Mosquito
Let’s gain a little understanding about mosquitoes. Mosquitoes require water to live. They don’t develop and go through their life cycles in grass or shrubbery — however, the adults often rest in these areas during the day. It’s the female that bites us, being attracted to humans, mammals and birds, and she only lives about three weeks during the summer. She may live a few months during the winter as well so she can lay her eggs in the spring. The male is a bit kinder to us in the sense that he is only interested in plant juices.
Mosquitos typically hang out in tall grasses and weeds near buildings and other structures because they love stagnant, standing water that’s often found in things like buckets, birdbaths, rain gutters, septic seepage and other materials that hold water. So keeping anything that can hold water clean and clear of rainwater and the like can make a big difference.
13 Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites
Of course, you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you were one of the lucky ones who isn’t bothered by mosquito bites. But the good news is that there are plenty of highly effective natural remedies out there to help those who are – in fact, so many that if you’re suffering now, chances are you’ve got at least of few of these options right in your kitchen cabinet.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is famous for its ability to soothe a sunburn, but it can also help reduce inflammation, swelling and the itch of a mosquito bite. That’s because it’s a natural antiseptic agent, which simply means that it has the ability to relieve itchiness and swelling. It also helps reduce pain and speed healing too.
If you have your own plant at home, all you have to do is cut one of the leaves off and squeeze the gel onto any mosquito bites. You’ll need to reapply it every two to three hours until the itch subsides. If you don’t have a plant, you can usually find them for sale at most nurseries and home/garden stores or you could even buy already extracted Aloe vera gel.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is practically a cure-all, it’s good for so many things, including providing natural mosquito bite relief, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe and disinfect the area and may even help it to heal faster. You can spot treat a bite by dabbing a bit of undiluted apple cider vinegar on with a cotton ball. If you have a lot of bites across your body, a bath is the way to go. Add a few cups of apple cider vinegar to a tub filled with warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes for the best results.
3. Baking Soda & Witch Hazel
Baking soda is a natural disinfectant which also helps to reduce inflammation, and as it contains mild alkaline compounds, it also helps to neutralize the pH balance of the skin, providing even more dramatic effects who it comes to natural mosquito bite relief. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which means that it can draw out any excess fluid, further reducing any swelling. The combination of the two, made into a paste and applied to any bites, can bring fast relief. Allow the paste to sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing off.
4. Banana Peel
While it may sound strange, you might want to start saving those banana peels after you’re finished with the fruit inside, especially if you’re prone to mosquito bites. All you have to do is rub the soft inside of the peel over them. Thanks to minerals, vitamins, and acids in the peel, it will help take away the itch and soothe the pain.
5. Basil
Basil is a popular herb for cooking, especially in sauces and stews, but it can also help bring relief to that itch as it contains thymol and camphor, both of which have been found to get rid of the itch. You can use fresh basil leaves, pressing them over any bites, or basil essential oil. If you use the essential oil, dilute it with a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil first, and then apply for quick relief.
6. Raw Honey
Honey, if you get the right type, meaning not the stuff in the plastic-shaped bear bottle, but raw, organic honey, is an excellent natural remedy for mosquito bites. That’s because it offers both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory which makes it a popular choice for a wide range of natural home remedies. All you have to do it dab a little raw honey on your bites and before you know it, sweet relief.
7. Ice
It may be simple, but it’s highly effective and you probably have some in your freezer right now. Apply ice or a frozen bag of veggies, for example, can halt itching in its tracks, numb the pain and reduce swelling. It works because the ice is actually able to numb the nerves that cause the itch as well as the pain. The chilly temperature also helps to slow the inflammatory response to further lessen pain and provide quick relief. Don’t apply ice directly, however, as it can seriously damage your skin. Instead, wrap ice in a dish towel, use an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies and hold onto the affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Lemon Juice
This happy yellow citrus fruit is sure to bring joy back in your life with its ability to provide instant relief for the pain and itch of a mosquito bite. The juice of a lemon offers natural anaesthetic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an excellent natural remedy. As it also contains alpha-hydroxy acids and antioxidants it can cleanse and speed healing too. Simply cut a fresh lemon in half and then rub the inside of one half over your bites – if you have a lot, you may need to use the other half too. Not only will the itch stop, but the lemon juice will help prevent an infection from developing too.
9. Witch Hazel
You may have heard of witch hazel for blemishes on the skin, but it’s not only great for acne — it can really help reduce the pain, annoying itching and swelling that often comes with bug bites, including mosquitos bites. Additionally, witch hazel can help speed up the healing process.
How does witch hazel work? It works as an astringent through a natural chemical it contains called tannin. This tannin can help reduce swelling and stave off bacteria while healing inflamed skin tissue.You can simply apply it directly to the skin. It’s great when combined with baking soda , forming a paste, then applied to the bug bites.
10. White T ea and Chamomile Tea Bags
It’s likely that you’ve seen the old remedy of putting a tea bag on a bee sting . Well, it’s a true natural remedy, not just for bee stings, but for mosquito bites too. It works because the ingredients in white tea help reduce inflammation. You can put a used, cold tea bag, acting as a poultice , right on the bite. Not only does it help with inflammation, but the coolness of the tea bag can help soothe the itch.
White tea and chamomile tea are known as great topical treatments for many skin issues. Because the tea has antiseptic, antioxidant and polyphenolic properties, including apigenin, luteolin and quercetin , it makes for the perfect and rather comforting fast remedy for mosquito bites.
11. Essential Oils
A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association tested the effects of the oils of certain plants against mosquito bites. The oils of “citrus aurantifolia (leaves), Citrus grandis (fruit peel), and Alpinia galanga (rhizome),” were used to create a lotion and compared against commercial repellants. The essential oil-based lotions r evealed an impressive 90 percent protection against mosquito bites for four hours.
Another study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on the use of oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is registered with Environmental Protection Agency and can be found on the list of insect repellants. A couple of scientific publications have documented that the oil of lemon eucalyptus can provide protection much like low concentrations of common insect repellant ingredient DEET , though we want to note that oil of lemon eucalyptus has not been tested internationally or with malaria-spreading mosquitoes so take caution when traveling.
However, my Homemade Bug Spray contains lemon essential oil and eucalyptus oil and may help.
Other essential oil options that mosquitoes seem to dislike are peppermint oil , ylang ylang and lemongrass essential oil . Take a few drops of your favorite and blend it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and rub onto the skin before going outside for activities.
12. Neem Oil
Neem oil is another option that you may want to try. A study conducted by the Department of Entomology and Wildlife at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and published in the Journal of Insect Science revealed that 95 percent of the larvae of the mosquito died within a day of being exposed to powdered neem leaf. However, the aqueous leaf extract took much longer to have a positive effect.
While neem oil can help kill the mosquitos, it’s also fantastic for fighting fungal conditions, like eczema. If it can help with fungus, it makes sense that it can help fight off the effects of mosquito bites and help prevent infection that may be caused through too much scratching.
13. Colloidal Oatmeal Bath
Have you considered soaking in a soothing oatmeal bath ? This old remedy still holds its reputation as a great way to soothe the itching caused by mosquito bites, in addition to reducing swelling these nasty bites may cause. It’s commonly seen in bath soaps, shampoos, shaving gels and moisturizing creams due to its ability to treat inflammatory skin conditions.
Colloidal oatmeal is used as a moisturizer for itchy skin because it contains emollients, which are what reduce that itchy feeling. Oats have been used for numerous skin conditions for centuries , such as atopic dermatitis and eczema. Oats contain avenanthramides, which are powerful antioxidants . These avenanthramides are the main polyphenolic antioxidants that have been shown to reduce inflammation and itching that causes scratching. It makes the skin feel super silky, too.
The great news is that you can make your own remedy right at home. Simply use your coffee grinder or something similar, and grind up gluten-free oatmeal to a fine powder. Add it, along with a few drops of chamomile, to your bath and soak for 15 minutes once or twice a day.
What to Do If You Have an Allergic Reaction
Mosquitos can carry diseases in addition to the annoying itch they provide, but in some cases, people also can have allergic reactions to mosquito bites. Typically, a bite delivers a red, swollen bump accompanied by an annoying itch that can occur within hours and last a few days, but it also can cause blistering-type lesions, hives, fever and swelling in the joints if someone is allergic.
That’s not all. It can even cause a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis , which can present itself as a swelling throat, hives, faintness or wheezing. Though mosquitoes rarely cause this reaction, it can happen and could require medical attention . If you or someone you are with experiences any of these symptoms, seek professional help immediately. Make sure to elevate the area, apply ice to reduce swelling and clean blisters with soap water — and make sure you do it gently so you don’t break the blister, which can cause infection.
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