Ouch! Did you feel that bite? Nothing can ruin a fun time outdoors like a pesky mosquito!
In addition to being itchy, mosquito bites can sometimes cause swelling, unsightly bumps, and even allergic reactions! Instead of letting these little critters ruin your day, learn how to treat mosquito bites and eliminate the itch.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
Female mosquitoes thrive on the proteins and iron found in blood, making your arm or leg a delicious snack! However, they need to inject their saliva into the bite to keep your blood from clotting and ruining the flow of their meal.
It’s that saliva that causes those itchy issues. Your body recognizes that it doesn’t belong to you and signals your immune system to do something about it. The chemicals sent to get rid of the foreign substance (in this case, the mosquito saliva) cause swelling and itching. It’s a great sign that your immune system is working, but it's not such a fun feeling to deal with when you’re trying to enjoy your time outside!
Top Home Remedies For Mosquito Bite Relief
So, let’s talk about what to put on mosquito bites. Luckily for you, there are several remedies available to help you alleviate mosquito bites and the itchiness they cause. Some of the top home remedies include:
- Aloe vera: This eco-friendly solution is known for its soothing properties. When you apply it directly to the bite, it can help with swelling and itching.
- Baking soda paste: Baking soda has a pH of 9, making this substance alkaline. It can neutralize the skin’s pH to relieve itching and irritation.
- Honey: A natural antiseptic, honey also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling.
- Tea tree oil: Also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, this essential oil can help reduce swelling and itching while working hard to protect against infection. However, this oil is very potent, so be sure to dilute it with coconut, avocado, or another oil before applying it directly to your skin.
- Oatmeal baths: Oatmeal is another anti-irritant. Taking an oatmeal bath has been known to help multiple skin conditions, including widespread irritation and a situation where you have multiple mosquito bites.
Knowing how to treat mosquito bites will go a long way in protecting yourself and your family when it comes to these itchy invaders!
Over-The-Counter Treatments For Mosquito Bites
Your neighborhood pharmacy is another great place to find out what to put on mosquito bites. Here, you’ll find many popular over-the-counter options for mosquito bite relief.
As you browse through the medicines on the shelf, pay attention to the following:
- Hydrocortisone Cream: This corticosteroid cream can help reduce your mosquito bites’ inflammation, irritation, redness, and swelling.
- Antihistamine Cream: When a mosquito bites you, your body releases something called histamines to fight against the infection. An antihistamine cream will counteract those chemicals, offering relief against itching, swelling, and redness.
- Calamine Lotion: The zinc oxide and ferric oxide in calamine lotion will soothe your mosquito bite and relieve that annoying itching.
- Oral antihistamines: If the cream isn’t enough, you can also take an oral antihistamine to relieve the itchiness of your bites.
These over-the-counter mosquito bite treatments will help relieve the itchiness, calm the redness, and soothe your skin.
When To See A Doctor For Mosquito Bites
As wonderful as these at-home remedies and over-the-counter treatments are, sometimes you might need a professional opinion. Mosquito bites can trigger an allergic reaction, also known as Skeeter Syndrome, in some people. Skeeter Syndrome can cause severe swelling and redness, like hives or other allergic reactions.
Mosquitoes also carry other dangerous diseases, such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Chikungunya. All of these diseases require medical treatment. If you notice symptoms like fever, headaches, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical treatment.
Protect Your Family From Professional Mosquito Control
Learning how to treat mosquito bites is one thing, but discovering how to rid the inside of your home and your property of the pesky critters is another! Prevent mosquito bites before they happen with the help of your local Mosquito Joe®!
Our Mosquito Joe services are designed to help you rid your property of unwanted pests. Our traditional services and eco-friendly solutions offer something for everyone.
Plus, you can rest assured that we’ll get the job done right because all of our services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™️ and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee. Our experts can give you the mosquito bite relief you’ve been looking for by riding your property off the itchy little biters for good!
Instead of fighting against mosquitoes after they bite you, attack them first! Request a free estimate from your local Mosquito Joe today!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
