Mosquito Bite Treatment:

14 Natural Ways To Ease The Itch

Mosquitoes can carry life-threatening diseases, but for many people, torturous itchiness feels like more of a threat.

While there are plenty of ways to try to prevent the bites in the first place, nothing is 100 percent foolproof, and most of us know all too well that skeeters have a way of finding -- and preying on -- even the tiniest bit of exposed skin.

That's why it's helpful to arm yourself with some handy ways to ease the itching. But first, says Dr. Neal B. Schultz, a board-certified dermatologist in practice in New York City, we need to understand why a bite itches to begin with.

"Itching is a low-grade form of pain. The mosquito is injecting a material into your skin that causes inflammation, which is redness, swelling, tenderness and heat. That then becomes an itch." The body's natural reaction to the bite is to release histamine, he says, a compound that signals an allergic reaction, which causes itching. (That's why medications called "anti-histamines" often do the trick.)

While it's endlessly tempting to scratch, there are a couple of problems with doing so. First, breaking the skin anymore (with your dirty fingers, nonetheless) exposes the bite to a greater risk of infection, says Schultz. Plus, scratching actually creates more inflammation, leading to more itching and worse pain. Essentially, scratching mosquito bites is "fueling the fire" he says.

Instead, many people turn to the afore-mentioned anti-histamines to reduce itching and other symptoms of their bug bites. However, many are known for causing pesky side effects, particularly drowsiness, although Schultz says new iterations are less likely to make you sleepy. Still others opt for calamine, which acts as an astringent, meaning it will draw fluid out of the swollen bite to reduce some of the discomfort, says Schultz, just be prepared to be covered in pink splotches.

If you prefer to go the natural route, there are some options that can at least temporarily relieve the itching. Keep in mind, says Schultz, that an effective treatment needs to target itching, swelling and pain.

Ice

A shock of cold therapy will provide relief for itching and keep you from swelling more, says Schultz. "Ice actually numbs the nerves that conduct itching and pain so you don't feel either," he says.

You may have heard that going the other direction in temperature can also help. Hot water would in fact have the same effect on the nerves, says Schultz, but after you remove your warm compress or step out of that hot shower, you'll face a "rebound release of histamine that makes the itching worse," he says.

Essential Oils

"Tea tree oil is one of my favorite essential oils in all of dermatology," says Schultz. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it can combat itching, swelling and pain, and it seems to also have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that can help prevent infection at the site of the bite, he explains.

Lavender oil can also help. "Lavender is the most versatile of all the essential oiils, with more benefits than you can shake a stick at," says Schultz. A dab on the skin can help reduce inflammation and pain and prevent infections, he says.

Vinegar

This "way-underutilized" home remedy can help stop itching due to its acidity, says Schultz. He recommends diluting two or three cups in a bathtub of warm water to treat all-over bites, or putting a few drops on cotton and wiping an individual bite. Apple cider vinegar may be an even better bet, he adds, since it's slightly less acidic, and it's likely that the pH of itchy, red skin is off balance to begin with, he says.

Honey

Since this natural sweetener is known for a wide range of health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, it's not surprising that honey can also ease itchy bites. It's included in a number of natural lotions and balms for this exact reason, Everyday Health explains. Schultz recommends opting for raw honey and only dabbing a little bit right on the bite.

Tea Bag

Just like (cooled!) tea bags can reduce under-eye puffiness, they can ease swelling on bites, too, says Schultz. The tannins in tea act as an astringent, he says, drawing extra fluid out of the bite.

Baking Soda

"Sodium bicarbonate is a mild alkaline compound that can help neutralize the pH balance of your skin," Dr. Linda K. Franks told Prevention. "This 'buffering effect' may help quell the inflammation that occurs at the skin's surface, easing your soreness."

Try dissolving some into a warm bath and soaking for 30 minutes, or mixing some with a little water to create a paste to apply directly to the bitten skin.

Witch Hazel

Baking soda can also work in conjunction with other remedies, says Schultz, like this plant-based astringent that, when applied in a paste with baking soda, will draw fluid out and reduce swelling at the bite. "There's a synergy, they work even better together," he says.

Basil

The aromatic leaf naturally contains camphor and thymol, two compounds that can relieve itching, says Schultz. It's easy to crush some up and apply it to bites, or buy the essential oil and dab onto the skin.

Lemon And Lime

Both citrus fruits are anti-itch, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, according to Schultz. The juice or the peel can "kill all sorts of bacteria" he says.

There is one downside, though. Just the way you used to squeeze lemon juice into your hair for beachy highlights, the oils will also react with the sun on your skin. "You'll get a blistering reaction," Schultz says. Stay safe by only using citrus-based remedies indoors.

Peppermint

You may have heard that a dab of toothpaste can ease the itch, but it might be that minty-fresh flavoring that's at work.

"It causes a cooling sensation, [which] gets to the brain faster than the itching," Schultz says. Because the brain can only process one sensation at a time, cooling agents are often added to skin products to act as "counter-irritants" he says, which prevent and block other sensations, like itching. If you don't want to slather the chemicals in your toothpaste on your bites, try a drop of the essential oil or a paste made from crushed leaves.

Banana Peel

While some people swear by this home remedy, there (perhaps unsurprisingly) isn't a whole lot of credible research to back it up. Schultz hypothesizes that the sugars in the chemical makeup of the skin of a banana could be soothing and draw fluid out from a bite.

Milk And Water

For a soothing compress, Schultz recommends soaking equal parts milk and water into a handkerchief and applying it to the skin. "It's very soothing and helpful at relieving itching, swelling and inflammation," he says, "plus it's also a great technique for relieving sunburn." Skim works the best, he adds, as it's the protein and not the fat in milk that soothes the skin.

Slapping Or Pinching

It sounds silly, but it works! "Slapping is a greater form of pain than itching," explains Schultz. "It's more startling, but it's not annoying the way itching is." The brain can only register one feeling at a time, he says, so you may get some relief from the itchiness when the pain of a slap takes over, even if you might feel strange inflicting that pain on yourself.

Squeezing the bite gently but firmly is another option (which may feel less 'out there'). These methods can ease all itchy bumps, adds Schultz, not just mosquito bites.

Aloe

While it's primarily thought of as sunburn relief, aloe shouldn't be ignored in treating bites, says Schultz. "It's very good for itching and swelling and really is very soothing."

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Mosquito-Bites-from-Itching

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How to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching

Those pesky mosquitoes; you've been bitten and tried everything to get those annoying bites to stop itching, but it has set in and is driving you crazy. Rest assured that there are numerous ways to cure the itch and some of them may even be in your house already!

Initial response

Have patience. Realize that the itching will not completely die down until the bite area has healed properly. The itch itself is caused by the mosquito's saliva , an anticoagulant. It causes our bodies to produce a histamine response, creating a slight itchiness around the bite area from a mild allergic reaction. For people who are more sensitive to mosquito bites, the healing time can take longer than for those less susceptible, so it's a case of knowing your limits and treating yourself regularly and effectively.
- Do your best not to scratch that itch! Doing so will aggravate the irritation, making it itchier and more prone to infection.
Deal with the bites when they first occur. As soon as you can, aim to reduce the potential for severe itching by treating the bite areas. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes, or plain water.
- For those who have a severe reaction to the bites and look as if they've caught chicken pox, apply an antihistamine cream or lotion. Especially effective are ointments containing a combination of an antihistamine, analgesic, and corticosteroid, as this can relieve both pain and itching.
- Washing with an antiseptic will often relieve initial pain from an insect bite.
- If an infection develops from the bites, or from scratching them, see your physician immediately.
Select an itch-soothing solution from one of the many methods listed below. The choice you make should be guided by what you have available, the cost involved, any allergies to ingredients, ease of use, and familiarity with the solution. You may find that some solutions work better for you than others. All of them have been discovered by many other mosquito itch sufferers over time, and it's case of working out which ones you like the most through trial and error. Naturally, 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.

Baking soda treatment

A strong alkaline solution will often ease insect itching. Two forms of homemade pastes with baking soda are known to be especially effective at this.
Mix baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and warm water:
- One tablespoon to one pint of water is a good ratio to use.
- Gently apply to the affected area. Use your clean fingers, a cotton swab or a popsicle stick to apply.
- Leave on for a few minutes, then wash off with warm water.
Mix baking soda and household cleaner:
- Mix a few drops of household cleaning ammonia with baking soda to form a paste.
- Apply gently to the affected area and allow to dry. This should relieve the itching.
- Remove with warm water. Note that household ammonia can also be dabbed onto the bites by itself.

Apple cider vinegar treatment

Apply vinegar to the bite:
- Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar.
- Place the soaked cotton ball over the mosquito bites. If you don't want to hold it, tape it in place.
- Leave there for a few minutes. You should find that the pain stops.
Make a vinegar paste:
- Make a thick paste of cornflour and apple cider vinegar.
- Gently apply the paste to the affected area.
- Allow to dry. It will alleviate the itching by the time it has dried.
- Wash off using warm water.

Calamine lotion

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Calamine lotion provides soothing relief from both burning and itching caused by mosquito bites.
- Apply to the affected area.
- Leave until it dries. The pain should have subsided.
- Wash off using warm water. You could also place tape or a bandage over this to leave it on longer.
Try adding some distilled witch hazel to calamine lotion as an effective pain relief and itch soother for mosquito bites.

Water

Whether it's ice cold or piping hot, using water may help alleviate the itches. The method you choose probably depends most on which temperature you like best applied to your skin!
Take a nice, relaxing hot bath. The addition of strong chickweed tea, two tablespoons of cider vinegar, or two cups ground oatmeal to the bath can help to alleviate itching.
If you're near the sea, take a dip in seawater. You can also add salt to hot water to make salt water.
Dip a wash cloth into hot water, but not so hot that it burns your skin. Press the wet part of the cloth against the bite. Hold it there until you feel the bite tingle. Repeat once or twice. Your nerves will be confused and the itching will vanish for hours. The heat causes all the histamine (the protein used by the body to initiate immune responses, which include irritation and itching) in the skin surrounding the bite to be released at once.
Apply an ice pack or ice cubes to the bites.You should leave this on the affected area for about 20 minutes.
While not quite water alone, cooled tea can work wonders when applied to insect bites.Apply to the affected area in a manner similar to a compress.

Items in your bathroom cabinet

Your bathroom cabinet holds everyday solutions for itching that you might not have thought about:
Rub a wet aspirin over the affected area. Naturally, do not use this method if the person is allergic to aspirin.
Dab some toothpaste over the bite area. This can work like a charm to relieve itching. Regular flavored toothpaste is the best option for this method.
Try mouthwash. Simply dab over the affected area and leave to dry.
Rub some underarm deodorant on the bite area. Try to use a non-scented deodorant if possible.
Mixing crushed Tums tablets with water creates a paste that can be effective in relieving itching from mosquito bites.

Soap

Wash the infected area using soap and water.Soap may be enough to relieve the itching. Use a mild soap, so as to not increase the irritation of the skin.
Rub a bar of dry or wet soap over the itchy area.

Mud

Mud provides a cooling sensation that temporarily relieves itching. If you're outdoors, make do with what you've got!
Apply mud to the affected area. Cover with a bandage to hold it in place.
Leave to dry.
Wash off the dried-on mud with water.

Essential oils

Use lavender oil. Dabbing small amounts of lavender oil direct to the affected area can relieve the itching quickly.
Use melaleuca or tea tree (ti-tree) oil. This oil is known as a cure-all for many problems and it can also alleviate the itching from mosquito bites.

Herbal or plant remedies

Rub aloe vera gel or broken leaf from an aloe vera plant on the bite area to relieve itching.
Apply a poultice of witch hazel to the affected area. Witch hazel will soothe almost any inflamed area of skin.
Fresh basil leaves that are crushed and directly applied to the area also naturally relieve itching symptoms.

Commercial preparations

There are a few commercial items that may or may not be made to treat mosquito bite itching, but still have the intended effect!
Try Vicks Vaporub®. Keep applying Vicks® to the area, especially if it rubs off.
Use nail polish (preferably clear). Be sure that the bite is not raw from scratching. This keeps it from itching and acts as a seal to protect it.
Look for preparations made to alleviate insect bites and stings. Products such as Stingose, Aspivenin, and After Bite can help to alleviate pain. Other products such as Bactine, Solarcaine, and first-aid creams can also help. Follow the instructions accompanying the product. If you can't find one, talk to your pharmacist.

Fruits and veggies

A few fruits can be put to good use in easing the itching pain.
Cut a lemon or lime into pieces and rub gently on the affected area, or just squirt a bit of juice on it. Citric acid has some itch-relieving properties.
Use the common plantain. Either roll leaves of common plantain between your fingers to extract the juice or rub the juicy leaf over mosquito bite. The itch goes away in less than a minute.
Rub the inside of a banana skin (peel) onto the bite.
Rub the sap of an onion over the bite.

Camping food

If all you have to turn to is your camping food, it still may contain some goodies that can help soothe the itching!
Crack an egg. Inside the shell of the egg you will find a flexible membrane. Cover the bite with the membrane and let dry. As it contracts, it will draw out some of the toxin.
Use your breakfast oatmeal. Oatmeal is renowned for its anti-itching properties, so make a small paste of it and apply to the bite area. Allow to dry, then wash off.
Add a little meat tenderizer to the bite area. Mix it in water first before applying.
Apply some honey to the bite area.

Manual methods

Use your fingernail to press "sunbursts" around the mosquito bite. This is a good method if the mosquito bite has popped.
Use your fingernail to press an "X" into the bite. This disperses the protein and stops the itch for a while.
Try drawing around it using a ballpoint pen. This works to relieve the pain in some people.
Take a rubber band and give yourself a "spider bite", or put two fingers in the rubber band, put the fingers on either side of the bite, pull the rubber band back and snap it on the bite. This will numb the nerves so it doesn't itch; it's not a permanent fix and you should be careful as it could hurt you even more!
Put a piece of Scotch tape (or similar) onto the bite. Wash the area with rubbing alcohol or ammonia first.Leaving it there will make the itch almost entirely go away. After a few hours, remove it. This will help remove some of the toxins that cause the itch.
Place your own saliva on the bites. Leave it to soak in. For some people, this relieves the itching.

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Soda

Particularly, Mountain Dew, which was suggested by a reader, with a dash of dish soap. While the traps did attract mosquitoes, this might have also been because of the dish soap. Bottom line: This works, but probably not because of the soda.

Bubble Machine

Silly, but it did prove effective. Again, soap might be the factor here. Bottom line: It works.

Beer Traps

Turns out that mosquitoes are attracted to those who drink beer. So, we thought that placing cups filled with cheap-o lager around our patio would make great bait for the pests. A glance at the buggy victims proved this to be true. There's a catch though. Mosquitoes will still seek you out if you're drinking the stuff. Bottom line: This somewhat works, but if you're also imbibing, expect to be bitten.

Wear White

The thinking here is that colors somehow make you more attractive to mosquitoes. But this is just a bunch of wishful thinking -- the bugs will still bite, no matter how much white you wear. Bottom line: Does not work.

Eat Garlic

Garlic is used in many mosquito repellants used in landscaping. So, why wouldn't it work for us? After eating a garlicky meal, we waited. The mosquitoes didn't bother us. But really, is this practical? Bottom line: Works, if you'd like to down garlic cloves on a daily basis.

Mouthwash

When diluted with water and spritzed on the skin, this promised to rid of us mosquitoes for a full night. Sadly, it just made us smell minty fresh. We were still bitten at the end of the night. Bottom line: Does not work.

Anti-Mosquito App

This sonic repellant promises to rid your life of mosquitoes with a touch of a button. Easy, right? So we were disappointed when all this did was drain our iPhone's battery. Bottom line: Does not work.

Chives

Like garlic, mosquitoes dislike chives. We simply placed a few snippets in a centerpiece and hoped for results. Though we did experience less bites, we were still bitten. Bottom line: Might work, but probably should be applied to the skin in order to see results.

Fabric Softener Sheets

Rubbed onto the skin, this method did leave us mosquito bite-free for the evening. But, it did irritate the skin of one of our testers. So, use caution. Bottom line: This works.

Dish Soap

A few squirts of dish soap, left in a saucer, did a nice job of keeping mosquitos occupied...and away from us. The results were comparable to citronella candle. Bottom line: This works.

The mosquito is a common flying insect that is found around the world. There are about 2,700 species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can fly about 1 to 1.5 miles per hour (1.6-2.4 kph).

Mosquito Bites: Females drink blood and the nectar of plants; the males only sip plant nectar. When a female bites, she also injects an anticoagulant (anti-clotting chemical) into the prey to keep the victim's blood flowing. She finds her victims by sight and smell, and also by detecting their warmth. Not all mosquito species bite humans.

Disease Carrier: The mosquito is often a carrier of diseases, such as malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, dengue fever, dog heartworm, West Nile virus, and many others. The females, who drink blood, can carry disease from one animal to another as they feed.

Anatomy: Like all insects, the mosquito has a body divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), a hard exoskeleton, and six long, jointed legs. Mosquitoes also have a pair of veined wings. They have a straw-like proboscis and can only eat liquids.

Life Cycle: The complete life-cycle of a mosquito takes about a month. After drinking blood, adult females lay a raft of 40 to 400 tiny white eggs in standing water or very slow-moving water. Within a week, the eggs hatch into larvae (sometimes called wrigglers) that breathe air through tubes which they poke above the surface of the water. Larvae eat bits of floating organic matter and each other. Larvae molt four times as they grow; after the fourth molt, they are called pupae (also called tumblers). Pupae also live near the surface of the water, breathing through two horn-like tubes (called siphons) on their back. Pupae do not eat. An adult emerges from a pupa when the skin splits after a few days. The adult lives for only a few weeks.

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