Relieving That Itch: Treating Mosquito Bites
It's a familiar and unpleasant sensation - you feel an itchy bump on your skin, slap it without thinking, and realize you've been bitten by a mosquito. While mosquito bites are rarely cause for serious concern, they can definitely put a damper on your summer fun with their intense itchiness.
Mosquito bites form when female mosquitoes pierce your skin with their proboscis, a pointed mouthpart, to feed on blood. They inject you with saliva in the process, which contains proteins that can trigger immune and inflammatory reactions in human skin. This causes red bumps and itching, as your body reacts to the mosquito's saliva.
The good news is that mosquito bites, while annoying, are relatively easy to treat at home. Read on to learn more about relieving that maddening mosquito bite itch and soothing your summer skin.
First Things First: Don't Scratch
As tempting as it may be, scratching a mosquito bite only makes things worse. Scratching can damage the skin, introduce bacteria, and intensify swelling and inflammation. This ultimately increases itching and irritation. For optimal healing, keep your fingernails away!
Clean The Bite Area
Start by washing the bite with antimicrobial soap and water. This helps remove saliva or other irritants left behind and prevents infection. Be sure to pat dry gently so as not to further aggravate the surrounding skin.
Apply a Cold Compress
For immediate itch relief, a cold compress can numb nerve endings and constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling. Wrap an ice pack or frozen gel pack in a soft towel and apply to the bite area for 5-10 minutes several times a day. The cold temperature helps override itchy sensations.
Try Anti-Itch Creams
Topical creams containing ingredients like hydrocortisone, pramoxine, lidocaine, or benzocaine can relieve itching and pain associated with mosquito bites. Look for over-the-counter sting relief or anti-itch creams at your local drugstore and apply a thin layer around the bite to soothe inflamed skin.
Take Oral Antihistamines
For even more relief, take an oral antihistamine containing diphenhydramine like Benadryl. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine chemical reaction in your skin cells that leads to swelling and itching. Use as directed on the product packaging.
Try A baking Soda Paste
Baking soda may also help ease mosquito bite discomforts. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Gently apply the paste to the bite area and let sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off. Baking soda is thought to reduce acidity in insect bites to take down inflammation.
Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Swabbing mosquito bites with apple cider vinegar is said to alleviate itchiness thanks to vinegar's anti-inflammatory effects. Dip a cotton ball in undiluted apple cider vinegar and gently dab directly onto bites as needed.
Try Essential Oils
Some people find success treating mosquito bites with certain diluted essential oils like lavender oil, tea tree oil, basil oil and eucalyptus oil. Mix a few drops of oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply to your bite for natural relief. Use caution testing oils as some individuals may be allergic.
Take an Oatmeal Bath
An oatmeal bath can help soothe mosquito bites all over your body. The sugars and starches in oatmeal create a protective barrier on the skin and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Add 2 cups of powdered oatmeal to a warm bath and soak for 15-20 minutes to relieve itching.
Apply Calamine Lotion
It's been used for generations to relieve bug bite itches. Dab calamine lotion onto bites to lessen irritation. The zinc oxide found in calamine cooling dries out the skin while protecting damaged areas from infection.
Try Honey
Honey has antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, making it a popular at-home treatment for bug bites when applied topically. Put a dab of honey on the bite area after cleaning and let it soak in. You'll get an extra soothing effect by chilling the honey first.
When to Seek Medical Care for Mosquito Bites
While mosquito bites are mainly just a nuisance, occasionally they can require medical treatment. See a doctor for bites that exhibit severe swelling, pus, oozing or other signs of infection. You should also seek medical care if you develop flu-like symptoms following many bites.
In extremely rare cases, mosquitoes can transmit serious illnesses like West Nile virus, malaria, dengue and Zika. These mosquito-borne diseases usually occur after travel to tropical or subtropical areas. Seek immediate emergency care if you develop high fever, body aches, vomiting or other troubling symptoms after a mosquito bite.
Know How to Prevent Future Bites
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While treating existing mosquito bites is important for symptom relief, preventing future bites should be your main defense. Limit outdoor time at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Wear EPA registered insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus whenever outside.
When possible, cover up with lightweight long sleeves, long pants, a hat and closed toe shoes to keep skin protected. Mosquitoes can bite right through thin fabric, so spraying clothes with permethrin can add an extra layer of protection. Properly screen windows, doors and porches at home. Make sure to dump out any standing water sources around your property to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
Control That Itch: You Can Get Relief
Whether you feel that first telltale itchy bump at home or during an outdoor excursion, use the above tips to banish irritation and soothe mosquito bites. With the right topical solutions, oral medications and preventative steps, you won't have to sacrifice summer fun. Now if we could just get rid of poison ivy too!
FAQs
Why do mosquito bites itch so much?
Mosquito bites itch because when the mosquito pierces your skin, it injects saliva that contains proteins that trigger immune and inflammatory responses. This causes fluid and histamines to rush to the area, leading to swelling, redness, and intense itching sensations.
How long do mosquito bites last?
A typical mosquito bite reaction will last anywhere from a few hours up to several days. The swelling, redness and itching usually peak around 24-48 hours after the initial bite. As long as they are not infected, most mosquito bites subside on their own within less than a week.
What home remedies relieve mosquito itch?
Some of the most effective home treatments for mosquito bite itching include cold compresses, OTC anti-itch creams, baking soda pastes, apple cider vinegar, essential oils like lavender, and thick pastes of oatmeal. Oral antihistamines containing diphenhydramine can also help relieve itching.
When should you see a doctor for mosquito bites?
In most cases, mosquito bites can be treated safely at home. However, you should seek medical care if bites appear severely infected with excessive swelling, pus, oozing fluids or other signs of a secondary infection. Also see a doctor if you develop high fever, body aches or flu-like illness after multiple mosquito bites.
How can you prevent mosquito bites?
The best way to prevent mosquito bites is by wearing EPA registered insect repellents when outdoors, covering up exposed skin with lightweight clothing, properly screening windows and doors in your home, avoiding dawn/dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active, and eliminating any standing water sources around your property where mosquitoes breed.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment