Mosquito Bites: Home Remedies to stop the itch

By: Jennifer Hubbard, Esthetics and Nail Instructor

Ever had a pesky mosquito flying around you, land on you and then “OUCH” it happens, you’ve been bit?!?! The anticoagulant (a substance that prevents coagulation (clotting) of blood) helps mosquitoes while they feed. However, this injection of insect fluids is also the reason why mosquito bites itch. Along with the anticoagulant, the mosquito saliva will enter some of the insect’s own proteins and binding to the skin cells. As an immune response, histamines will be released, causing a swelling where the mosquito bite is located. With the release of histamines we all get an allergic reaction and feel an itch whenever we get bitten. This response is natural and is part of your body’s way of protecting itself. As the swelling grows the pressure on your nerve cells in that area increases. This increase in pressure gives that itchy feeling. Once that happens you search for some medication to try and stop the deadly itch, but you have none. Here are some great home remedies to try and the benefits of each:

Dampened Green Tea Bag

• Place cold tea bag on the bite. This will help soothe the itch & compounds in the tea help

with inflammation.

Oatmeal Bath

• Soothes the skin

Honey

• Antibacterial ingredient, but be careful because it could attract other bugs

Scotch Tape

• Helps keep you from itching

Aloe Vera

• Anti-inflammatory properties that draw out the sting

Battery

• Uses electric current to inactivate the bite. Wetting the battery enhances the conductivity so current goes through your skin

Preparation H

• Reduces swelling, itching and inflammation

Rubbing Alcohol/Witch Hazel/Tea Tree Oil

• Antiseptic properties, prevents bites from getting infected and stinging sensation distracts you from the itch

Baking Soda/Toothpaste

• Dries to a paste which dries out the skin

Basil

• Rub on inflammatory properties and repels mosquitoes

Clear Polish

• Blocks the sensation of the itch

Aspirin

• Contains acetyl salicylic acid for anti-inflammatory purposes

Listerine/Vicks Vapor Rub

• Contains menthol to relieve itch