This article is about ways to stop mosquito bites from itching. Mosquitoes survive by feeding on animal and human blood. They use their thin sharp and elongated needle to puncture the skin of the host and suck up the blood. It injects saliva containing proteins that numb the area, so you will never know it was there. But once it found in blood vessels, other proteins within the saliva act as vasodilators and expand the blood vessel while preventing the blood from clotting. The itchiness comes after a few hours when your body’s immune system react with the saliva and produces histamines. Those histamine cause your nerve to send an itchy signal and increase the blood flow to the area cause little swollen to that area.
Itchiness, skin rashes, swelling, bruising and occasionally skin infection are some of the symptoms of mosquito bites. Mosquito bite can also lead to fatal disease like dengue and malaria in some parts of the worlds. You can avoid being bitten by mosquito wearing long sleeves and long pants or using other protective measures. But if in case you are bitten here are many remedies to stop mosquito bites from itching.
Ways to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching
1.) Use Meat Tenderizer Powder
Meat tenderizer powder contains bromelain or papain which helps to draw out the venom of insect bite, In a case of mosquito it draws out the saliva of a mosquito bite and reduce the itching sensation. The enzyme that tenderises meat has, it also found in several natural ingredients. you can found bromelain in the juice and stem of pineapple. Papain can be found in papaya. Mix one tablespoon of dry meat tenderizer with one tablespoon of water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area. If you don’t have meat tenderizer handy but you have papaya or pineapple. Cut out the piece of fruit and apply to the skin.
2.) Baking Soda to Stop Mosquito Bites
Baking soda is very effective to stop the itchiness caused by mosquito bite. It is alkaline in nature so that it neutralises the ph of the skin and provide relief. Add one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Dip a clean cloth into the baking soda solution and put the cloth over the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes. Or you can use another option to stop mosquito bites from itching. Make a thick paste using baking soda with witch hazel. Apply it on the affected area and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash the area with lukewarm water.
3.) Ice to Treat Mosquito Bite
Cool temperature reduces the hot uncomfortable inflammation and numbs the area giving immediate relief from various symptoms like itching. Take an ice pack or ice wrapped in a washcloth and hold it on the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes. This remedy will give you quick relief from the swelling and itchiness. If ice is not available so you can go for another option. Hold the affected area under a cool water running tap for a few minutes. Or you can hold a cold water bottle or a bag of frozen vegetables on the bite.
4.) Cucumber to Cure Mosquito Bite
Cucumber is considered as one of the best remedies to stop mosquito bites from itching. It has anti-inflammatory constituent know as fisetin, which has been shown to inhibit several inflammatory causing cytokines. It is basically a broad and generalised group of protein that signal cells to act a certain way. Take a cucumber and cut it into slices and store it in the refrigerator. When you need that slice, hold that over the bite until the itching stops. It’s cool and soothing, like the ice it would not melt against your skin.
5.) Lemon to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching
Lemon contains natural anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a useful remedy in treating mosquito bites. You just need to simply cut a lemon into two pieces and rub it into your itchy skin for quick relief. You can try rubbing the yellow rind of the lemon over your skin too. Apply lemon juice to the bites to reduce the chance of developing an infection. Or you can add crushed basil leaves to the lemon juice. Apply the mixture on the affected area to stop mosquito bites from itching.
6.) Aloe Vera to Treat Mosquito Bite
Aloe vera is a natural antiseptic agent which work as a great remedy to stop mosquito bites from itching. It also helps to reduce pain swelling and itching. Take aloe vera leaf and cut it into pieces to extract the gel. If you don’t have an aloe vera plant so you can use aloe vera gel which is readily available in a market. Chill the aloe vera gel in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rub it directly on the affected area.
7.) Salt to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching
Salt has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory property which make it an effective remedy to treat mosquito bite. You can make a paste by using a small amount of table salt with a few drops of water. Apply this paste to stop mosquito bites from itching. You can also use another option. Make a paste using seasoning salt, garlic salt and water in equal amount. Apply this paste on the affected area, it can cause a burning sensation for a few seconds. If you live near a beach, go swimming to bathe your skin in the natural salt present in the water.
8.) Rubbing Alcohol to Treat Mosquito Bites
Rubbing alcohol is a common household antiseptic remedy that can be used to relieve irritation caused by mosquito bite and reduce the chance of developing an infection. Dip a cotton ball into the rubbing alcohol and remove the excess solution. Rub it on the affected skin area. It will sting a little initially, but soon you will feel relief from the swelling and itching. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol so you can use a mouthwash that contains a high amount of alcohol or vodka.
9.) Tea Tree Oil to Stop Mosquito Bites
Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that can help to treat mosquito bite and bacteria infected wound like acne. It will also help to reduce itchiness and swelling. Dip a cotton ball into the tea tree oil and apply it on the affected area. If you have a sensitive skin so first dilute it because it can cause skin irritation to you. You can also use other essential oil like cedar and lavender oil.
10.) Cold Tea Bag to Stop Mosquito Bite from Itching
Tea bag soaked in cool water help to reduce the blood flow to the surface of your skin and reduce the swelling and ease itchiness. Tea also contains additional vasoconstricting properties and the compound like caffeine and tannins which are more soothing than ice. Dip a tea bag into the chilled water until the bag is fully soaked through. Squeeze the tea bag to remove the excess liquid. Apply it to the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed.
11.) Toothpaste to Cure Mosquito Bite
Toothpaste can reduce the itchiness caused by mosquito bites. You just simply need to dab some toothpaste on the affected area to stop mosquito bites from itching. If you want faster result, so should prefer to use peppermint toothpaste because it has anti-inflammatory properties. Or you can use toothpaste which contains menthol and baking soda. You should not use gel-based toothpaste.
12.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Mosquito Bite
Apple cider vinegar can work as an effective remedy to stop mosquito bites from itching. It helps with inflammation and especially with itching. Soak a cotton ball in the apple cider vinegar solution and squeeze out the excess solution. Press it over the mosquito bite for 5 seconds. Repeat if needed.