Mosquito bites are harmful for two main reasons. First, they leave ugly swellings on your skin that can eventually turn into hideous scars, especially if you scratch them. Secondly, and more importantly, they are the harbingers of various fatal diseases such as malaria. Thus, while the itch may only last a couple days, you have to know when to take mosquito bites seriously and when to not really worry about them. For this purpose, we’ve compiled all of the information you need on preventative measures and useful cures to make sure you remain safe, healthy, and minimally itchy in the presence of mosquitoes.
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Factoid number one: mosquito bites are pretty harmless, despite the fact that these insects are literally sucking your blood. The bites do not show very prominently on the skin until a few hours have passed. When these marks do appear, they take the form of swollen bumps that can be sore and itchy. If you scratch the bite, the area can also sting a lot.
Secondly, only female mosquitoes bite humans. Unlike male mosquitoes, they are highly attracted to human sweat, body heat, light, and even lactic acid.
Suggested read: 12 best home remedies for dry, cracked, and chapped hands
Sometimes mosquito bites do carry a lot of infectious diseases, but most times a mosquito bite won’t really pose any threat to the victim. There are several factors that contribute to whether you will get affected by the mosquito bite or not, most notably the geography of where you are bitten. In some areas around the world, mosquito bites may lead to severe health issues like problem in breathing, hives or even a very swollen throat. In these cases, you must get in touch with a doctor at once and get it treated.
However, if the results aren’t this severe, then you can find remedies for mosquito bites using ingredients that are available in your kitchen. These home remedies for mosquito bites are actually much better than medicines available in the drug store as they don’t use chemicals that may give you unnecessary side effects. Here are some of the most effective treatments for mosquito bites that will relieve you from all the pain that a mosquito bite can ever cause:
1. Oatmeal
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Among the many home remedies, oatmeal works wonders when it comes to giving you mosquito bite relief. Besides being a very diet friendly food, oatmeal is also good at getting rid of all the itching and swelling that mosquito bites cause. It contains various extraordinary compounds, which have great anti-irritant attributes.
To use oatmeal as a treatment for mosquito bites, you have to make a smooth oatmeal paste. Mix equal proportions of water and oatmeal in a mixing bowl and make a paste of it. Then, put a spoon of that paste on a soft washcloth and hold it so that the paste is facing down, touching the affected skin. Hold it like this for about ten minutes and then wash it off.
If you have suffered more than just one bite, there is a solution for that too. Just take a soothing oatmeal bath that will soothe your irritated skin. To take such a bath, all that you have to do is take a cup of oatmeal and put it in a bathtub with warm water. Now soak yourself in that oatmeal for about twenty minutes, while rubbing a bit of the oatmeal on the affected areas.
2. Basil
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Here’s another home remedy for mosquito bites that is hiding in your kitchen cabinet. The basil has a very cool fragrance that we are all familiar with in various Italian dishes. Thus, your favorite basil leaf will be doing a double duty by curing those painful mosquito bites. Scientific research has showed that basil is an herb that has many chemical compounds, such as eugenol, that cures all kinds of itchy and irritated skin.
In order to use basil in the best way possible, you should make a basil rub. Adding some dried basil leaves to two cups of water can make the perfect basil rubs. After letting this mixture cool, take a washcloth, dip it into the mix and then very gently rub the cloth all over the mosquito bites. You can also chop up fresh basil leaves and then rub these leaves all over your skin.
3. Aloe vera
This plant is probably the only one that is used in almost every other beauty product for its healing and hydrating properties. Aloe vera is even used to treat psoriasis, constipation, herpes, and many other major diseases. Since aloe vera gel is anti-inflammatory by nature, it is even used to heal wounds and cure infections. The next time you get a mosquito bite, you should totally consider using aloe vera to heal them. Just cut the tip of this plant and then rub the gel that oozes out of it all over the bitten area.
Suggested read: 10 home remedies to get rid of dry, chapped lips this winter
4. Crushed ice
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
There can be numerous home remedies for mosquito bites, but this one is probably the only remedy that will ALWAYS be available in your home. It is a common rule that cold temperature greatly decreases inflammation of the skin by making your skin very numb. This gives you immediate relief from any cuts or wounds. Though this relief may not last for a long time, it definitely helps to soothe the affected area in the best way possible. So take a cloth bag or a handkerchief and fill it with crushed ice, and leave it on the infected area for a while. However, doctors advice that you should not keep that bag of ice there for too long as this can adversely affect your skin. To prevent such harmful effects, you can place a cloth between your skin and the ice.
5. Baking soda
This is another readily available kitchen ingredient. Baking soda is used for things like baking bread or cleaning drains, but can also help cure mosquito bites. All that you have to do is make a good baking soda paste. The procedure is similar to making the oatmeal paste. Take one tablespoon or more of baking soda and mix it well with some water. Now put this paste on the area of mosquito bite and leave it on for about ten minutes. Wash it off, and you’re done!
6. Honey
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Honey has various anti-inflammatory and also anti-bacterial properties. Thus, this sweet natural substance is the best choice for anyone in favor of using home remedies. Honey has been used for many years on a regular basis in order to cure insect bites and other such ailments. This medicinal history of honey makes it an even better choice. All you need is a drop of honey on the affected area and you’re good!
7. Poultice of peppermint
A paste made of peppermint leaves can cure bothersome mosquito bites. Just apply it on the infected area as in other cases, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
8. Apple cider vinegar
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
A tiny swab of apple cider vinegar will perfectly balance all of the pH present in the area of the mosquito bite. Apple cider vinegar is especially great because it has minimal acid and doesn’t irritate the affected area.
9. Tea tree essential oil
Take some tea tree oil on a ball of cotton and rub it over the mosquito bite. Its antiseptic properties will cure the swelling in no time.
10. Tea bag
Tea has several natural tannins that work as a great astringent. Thus tea helps in taking out all the toxins from the skin and ultimately lessens all kinds of discomfort that mosquito bites cause. To use tea bag against mosquito bites, just take one that has already been used and press it on your mosquito bites. Keep it on the affected area for about five minutes and you’ll see that the swelling has gone down.
Suggested read: 6 easy home remedies for itchy skin
11. Alcohol
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
No, gulping alcohol down won’t help here, sorry! 😛 Instead, rub a drop of alcohol on the mosquito bite. This will cool the area and help you relax temporarily.
12. Toothpaste
Use toothpaste in a similar fashion. It will provide lots of relief that will last for a good few hours.
Armed with these home remedies for mosquito bites, you’ll never have to worry about the irritation such bites cause.
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
