Have you ever been a victim of annoying and painful mosquito bites? I know virtually every one of you has. A simple mosquito bite can often result in an uncomfortable itch at the site.
This itch and the resultant swelling is a result of an anticoagulant that the mosquito injects into your blood to prevent it from clotting. As such, it is important that you are informed on natural ways to prevent the bite from worsening.
Herein are several natural treatments to relieve a mosquito bite itch.
1. GREEN TEA
This everyday item in your house is a great ingredient to relieve a mosquito bite itch and reduce swelling. Insert a green tea bag in very cold water and place it over the bite.
You should hold it at the site of the bite for 10 to 15 minutes. The chemical compounds in the green tea are effective against inflammation while the cold temperature helps to sooth the itch.
2. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar is particularly effective for relieving the pain from the mosquito bite. For this treatment, take a small cotton ball and soak it in apple cider vinegar. Then place it on the bite and hold it for not less than 10 minutes.
At this point, the pain will be considerably less. Additionally, you can use apple cider vinegar with white flour. Mix the two ingredients and stir to produce a fine paste.
Apply this paste to the site of the mosquito bite and leave it to dry. This will reduce the swelling and soothe the itch. You should then wash the paste off with some warm water.
I use apple cider vinegar not only for mosquito bites but for various ailments. It’s such a great home remedy to have at home. Choose an unpasteurized & organic apple cider vinegar. You want to keep the sediment that contains healthy vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It’s called the “mother” of vinegars. I usually buy Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar
.
3. HONEY
One of the health benefits of honey is that it is a natural antiseptic. The compounds in honey have antibacterial properties that can prevent a mosquito bite from being infected.
Simply scoop a sizeable dab of honey and massage it over the bite. However, care should be taken when using honey as it can attract more insects. After applying the honey it is advisable to stay indoors to reduce your chances of getting more bites.
4. ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is widely known to possess anti-inflammatory properties and many other benefits. This magical plant will greatly reduce the swelling from the mosquito bite.
To get the best out of Aloe Vera, it is recommended that you refrigerate it. You can then rub an exposed leaf over the mosquito bite. The cold helps further to reduce the itch and swelling.
It’s best to use fresh aloe vera, but you can also buy aloe vera gel
to apply on the insect bite. If you’re looking for a high-quality aloe vera gel, Amara Organics makes a great one. The thick gel-like Aloe you usually find in stores is often loaded with chemicals; this one is not! You can buy it on Amazon here.
5. LEMON AND LIME
According to Globalhealingcenter.com, applying small amounts of lime juice or lemon juice directly over a mosquito bite helps relieve the itch (source).
You can also rub the peels of the fruits on the affected area. The citric acid from lemon and lime juice prevents the bite from becoming infected.
6. BASIL
Basil is a tropical herb that can often be used as a mosquito repellant. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Basil is good for preventing infections to mosquito bites and reducing swelling.
Take one basil leaf and rub it onto the mosquito bite. The itching should stop in just a few minutes since Basil contains thymol and camphor, compounds that are natural itch relievers. You will also notice a considerable reduction in the swelling.
7. TEA TREE OR LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
Tea tree and lavender oil are especially great for reducing the inflammation from mosquito bites. These essential oils help calm the pain and itch of a mosquito bite.
Apply a small amount of tea tree or lavender essential oil
(ideally diluted in a carrier oil) over the affected area with your fingertips. This can be left to sit on the skin for as long as necessary. If you want more details, check this page : Lavender Essential Oil Takes The Itch Out Of Mosquito Bites.
8. GENERIC ASPIRIN PILLS
Although aspirin is a pharmaceutical drug, using it to treat mosquito bites is all natural since it is non-invasive. For this treatment, crush some generic (those with no additives) aspirin pills in a cup then mix it with refrigerated water. Stir this mixture into a thick paste and rub it onto the bite.
Aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid which is very effective against inflammation. Using aspirin will take the itch away almost immediately.
There are many other natural treatments to prevent itching from mosquito bites: baking soda, witch hazel, lavender essential oil, and so on. Many of these remedies are common household items.
Did you know that you can even use toothpaste on bites to stop them from itching? You may also apply black drawing salve on your bite to soothe the itch. Click here for instructions on how to use black drawing salve for bug bites.
And if you are wondering how long mosquito bites usually itch for, read this article!
You are welcome to share any other natural remedies for mosquito bites in the comments.
Always speak to your doctor for advice should you have any concerns, if you appear to have had a severe allergic reaction or if your bites are not healing.
What’s the best bug repellent? DEET vs. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
- Sources
- Disclaimer
Article by
J. Beck
Sources for this article include:
- (1) https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/natural-home-remedies-for-mosquito-bites/
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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