Mosquito Bite Itch Relief Tips
You know it’s bad when you can’t stand outside for 5 minutes and what drives me nuts is that we don’t have a long summer as it is, so I really don’t want to spend most of it inside because the mosquitos are so bad. That being said – right now I’m SO itchy that I can barely think straight. So yesterday I found home remedies on keeping mosquitos away and today I found a bunch of home remedies for the bites themselves. To help you get relief from the itching without using a whole bunch of chemicals.
These are from tipnut.com
Household Items
Rub a bar of soap over the itch.(Ivory soap) Use a dry bar of soap directly on the skin, or spritz the bite with water and then run bar of soap over area–or use a wet bar of soap.
Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the area first then stick on a piece of tape.
Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.
Ice cube, ice pack or very cold water
Dabbers
The quicker you can apply one of the remedies below, the faster the relief. These are topical suggestions, apply directly to the area.
Nail Polish
Strong tea mixed with rubbing alcohol
Toothpaste (works for me)
Mouthwash
Vinegar (apply directly to bite or take a hot bath with 2 cups of vinegar in the water)
Honey
Underarm deodorant (solid or roll-on) – apply directly to skin
Rubbing Alcohol
Ammonia
Bleach
Tea: Use a hot tea bag or a cotton ball soaked in hot tea to dab on skin
Paste Applications
Mix these fresh then apply to bite as soon as possible. The consistency should be nice and thick so it won’t run, yet will still stay in place on the affected area. You could also spritz bite with water then apply grains/powders directly (generously) and rub them in.
Baking Soda & Water
Meat Tenderizer & Water
Salt & Water
Epsom Salt & Water (could also do this as a foot soak if it’s the ankle/foot area affected)
Tums Tablets: crush and add a few drops of water
Aspirin: crush then add a few drops of water
Aspirin – crush then apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol
Essential Oils
Apply full strength directly to skin. Edit: There are concerns about using essential oils on children and pre-teens, especially repeated use.
Tea Tree Oil
Lavender Oil
Witch Hazel (astringent)
Cedar Oil
Leaf Applications
*Crush the fresh leaves roughly then apply to bite
Basil
Plantains (Plantago)
Fruity Applications
*Use fresh fruit & apply directly to skin
Lemon Juice
Lemon Slice
Lime Juice
Lime Slice
Banana Peel (rub inside of peel on bite)
Notes
If a remedy doesn’t provide fast relief, don’t despair. Give it another try, sometimes it will take 2 or 3 applications before it kicks in.
The itch is a reaction from the saliva of the mosquito that it injects into you as it feasts on your blood. There are several dozen different species of mosquitoes and you may react to some species bites more than others.
If large swelling occurs (like welts), contact a doctor or pharmacist for suggestions (especially if it’s a child with a strong reaction). It could be an allergy to the bite. It’s important to watch the throat for swelling and get treatment asap.
-Shannon
