For many of us, mosquito bites are a slight annoyance, but there are times where they can be very sore and itchy – and in some cases even life-threatening. If your bites are causing more than a slight irritation, here are some home remedies for mosquito bites that may help. The great thing about these remedies is that you probably already have them in your home.
Why do mosquitoes bite?
Mosquitoes bite because our blood is rich in protein and other compounds. The mosquitoes need these nutrients to develop their eggs. This is the reason why only female mosquitoes bite. In fact, male mosquitoes don’t even have the necessary stinger to pierce through human skin.
Mosquito bites look like red and swollen bumps. They can be very itchy because mosquitoes inject saliva as they pierce through our skin. Our immune system views the saliva as a foreign substance and fights it off. A mild allergic reaction occurs.
People’s bodies react to mosquito bites differently. Some people will experience more itching while some don’t experience itching at all.
Home remedies for mosquito bites
Here are some home remedies for mosquito bites you can probably already find around your home, like your bathroom, garden, and kitchen.
1. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a common house plant. But for many homeowners, it’s not just a decoration. It’s also a home remedy for bug bites. In this case, you can use it for mosquito bites. It has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. So, it will not just prevent your mosquito bites from becoming swollen. It will also fast-track their healing, especially if they have minor scratches.
To use aloe vera as a home remedy for your mosquito bites, cut it open and apply the oozing gel to the affected areas. Let the gel dry and apply again if you feel like it.
2. Baking soda
You can use baking soda to create a paste. Simply add water to about a teaspoon of baking soda. There is no strict water to baking soda ratio, so just add water until the baking soda becomes a paste. Apply the paste to the affected areas. Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes and wash it off with warm water.
But remember that this paste is an alkaline solution. You may experience skin irritation. If you experience more itchiness and redness when you have applied the paste, remove the paste immediately and try a different home remedy.
3. Honey
Honey is another popular home remedy. You can use it for a variety of conditions, such as sore throats. Honey is an effective home remedy because of its antibacterial and medicinal properties.
Put a few drops of honey on your mosquito bites. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off. But remember that honey is a sugary substance that may attract mosquitoes and other insects. If you are planning to use this home remedy, make sure to use it inside your home.
4. Ice
Coldness numbs your skin to give you immediate relief from inflammation and itching. Ice is the most accessible object in your home that can give you coldness.
But you should be careful in applying ice to your mosquito bites. You should wrap the ice with something, like a cloth or plastic bag. You don’t want to directly put the ice on your skin. This will only cause more harm than good.
Press the wrapped ice on your mosquito bites. The coldness may not be the be-all and end-all solution to your bug bite problems, but it can give you immediate and short-term relief.
5. Lemon
Lemons have anesthetic and antiseptic properties. So, they will help reduce the pain and itching of your mosquito bites. They will also help in preventing the growth of bacteria and infections. This is all thanks to the active ingredient limonene.
Lemons as home remedies for mosquito bites are pretty straightforward. Just slice a lemon and press a lemon disc on the affected areas. But like baking soda, you should be careful of using lemon on your skin. It may cause skin irritation. It may also sting because of the citrus, especially if your mosquito bites have scratches or wounds.
6. Oatmeal
This may come as a surprise to you, but one of your breakfast foods is actually a good home remedy for mosquito bites. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.
Mix oatmeal and water in an equal ratio. Damp a cloth with the oatmeal-water and press it on the affected areas. It’s okay if you get oatmeal flakes on your cloth. Let the cloth stay on the affected areas for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.
7. Toothpaste
There are no studies that back toothpaste as a home remedy. But many people are claiming to have good results with it. They even use toothpaste for bee stings. But like baking soda, toothpaste can cause skin irritation. This is because of the alkaline content you can find in toothpaste.
To use toothpaste for your mosquito bites, simply apply a pinch on the affected areas. Leave it there for a few minutes. The toothpaste will relieve the itching and the pain, especially if it has a menthol flavor. If you experience some kind of skin irritation, remove the toothpaste immediately.
8. Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. It will also help relieve the burning sensation and itchiness that may come with bug bites. You may want to use apple cider vinegar instead of other forms of vinegar. This is because apple cider vinegar is a little less acidic. It’s less likely to harm your skin.
Dilute apple cider vinegar in water. You don’t need to follow a strict vinegar to water ratio. Damp a cloth to the vinegar-water solution and press it on the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes and wash it off.
When do you see a doctor?
Mosquito bites are already dangerous by themselves. They can give you a variety of diseases like dengue and Zika. But even if they don’t give you these diseases, they can be life-threatening. This is because of the victim’s allergic reaction to the mosquito bites.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. You are more likely to experience anaphylaxis from stinging pests like bees. But mosquitoes can still put you at risk. Anaphylaxis is considered a medical emergency. If you experience the following symptoms, don’t rely on home remedies and seek medical help immediately:
- Breaking out in hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the throat
Home remedies are great. But they can only do so much for severe allergic reactions.