Summertime brings fun outdoor activities, cool drinks, and….unfortunately, mosquitos. However, there are some effective and natural methods to get rid of mosquito bites and stop them from itching.

Why do mosquito bites itch?

Well, as you know, mosquitoes survive by feeding on the animal and human blood and this may not only cause scars and the bites but also disease. The tiny little creatures are so small thatit can be hard to avoid them and their bites.

Mosquito bites are a common thing for those living in hot and muggy environments where mosquitoes adore living and having a party biting anyone living around.

Although they’re called “bites”, mosquitos do not actually bite you at all. The female of the species simple scrapes at the skin toaccess shallow veins. This motion usually frees enough blood to be used to nourish the female’s eggs. Eww! Sorry, I know that’s just not appealing, but it’s facts.

Anyway, these areas of the skin, that we call bites, then become itchy and irritateddue to the salivathat the mosquitos leave behind. Our skin becomes inflamed by the histamines left behind by the pest’s saliva, which explains the irritation.

Most of the times, the puncture is not visible, so you may not feel the mosquito bite, but as itching persists,there is the development of the swelling and skin rashes.

Often you aren’t even aware that you have been bitten until a few days later when a bump arrives on your skin and itches like crazy. The bumps are a reaction froman anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting.

The bite itself doesn’t hurt, but the painful reaction can last days or even weeks. The best thing to do is to leave it to heal itself, andnot to scratch it!

Why do mosquitos bite some people more?

Make Your Own Mosquito Spray

I bet you didn’t know that mosquitos prefer some sources of nourishment over others. Research shows that mosquitos favor those with the blood type O over those with theA blood type.

This is why you might be feeling a little singled out or as if all mosquitos are drawn to you while leaving your friends alone. Now you know the reason!

How to get rid of mosquito bites and make the itching stop fast and naturally?

Now that we have explained the scienceof what the female mosquito does and why its bites itch, it’s time to learn effective ways to get rid of them.



Mosquito bites can also cause skin infections if the proper remedy is not taken. For this reason, you will need to find a quick remedy for mosquito bites that will allow you to get rid of them fast and naturally.

There are ways to alleviate this itching and irritation, and that’s what we’re here to find out!

Here are a fewnatural solutions that won’t expose you to skin bleaching and other adverse effects. Moreover, the natural ingredients are also readily available and inexpensive.

  1. Oatmeal

A popular breakfast item is also apopular curefor insect bites. Even mosquito bites can be soothed by a warm paste of oatmeal. You can also enjoy a nice oatmeal bath to do the trick.

For a paste, useequal parts of oatmealandwater, place between your skin and warm wet cloth and let sit for 10 minutes. For the bath, sprinkle1 cupof oatmeal into your water and soak for up to20 minutes. You will notice some relief from this option.

  1. Apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar Get Rid of Mosquito Bites

This is also a natural remedy that will help youease the inflammation and the itchingcaused by the mosquito bites.

Simply dip a cotton ball into the vinegar and dab the bite locationfor a few seconds. You can repeat this process if any itching returns. This is more so a maintenance solution than overall cure.

  1. Peppermint toothpaste

Peppermint is a natural ingredient which has a menthol effect. The presence of menthol helps in stopping the itching that comes with the mosquito bites.

Although this remedy is not permanent, it can alsorelieve the itching. All you need is to wash the affected area and then place a bit of the peppermint toothpaste onto the bite. It will stop some of the intensity of the itch.

Theorganic versionof this toothpaste works much better than other versions of peppermint toothpaste, so keep this in mind.

  1. Honey

Healing Powers of Honey

Honey is used in all sorts of home remedies because of it’santibacterialandanti-inflammatoryproperties.

So for a moreproactive solutionto a mosquito bite, honey does the trick. It might sound like it would attract more of the little critters to your skin (and it can sometimes do that), but in fact, honey is anantisepticagent that can stop a bite from getting infected and getting much worse.

When applied, honey can reduce the swelling and also stop the itching. If you are beyond irritated with your insect bites, grab that jar of honey and you will notice the difference.

  1. Lemon balm

I knew there was a reason I planted this herb in my garden a week ago. Yes, lemon balm can also help you get rid of mosquito bites, and here’s how: chop up a few leavesand apply it to the irritated area.

You can also use lemon balmessential oilsin the same way. After about10 minutesyou will notice a difference. The lemon balm will reduce swelling, stop itching and also speed up the healing process. Wow! This herb is a powerhouse, huh?

Lemon balm plant is also known to repel bugs, so you might want to grow it in your garden or use its essential oil to make a DIY mosquito spray.

  1. Garlic

garlic Get Rid of Mosquito Bites

Another amazing solution to mosquito bites is garlic.Garlichas so manyhealing propertiesthat it will simply astound you. I once had an ulcer above a bad tooth and was told to place garlic on the infected site.

I did, and yes, it burned badly. But for two weeks afterward, I felt no pain,the infection was gone, and I had more time to deal with finding a way to fix my tooth.

Garlic works in much the same way with bites as well. Itreduces inflammation, it cures that pesky itching and it also radiates that bite with antibacterial components. It’s just all around, a great weapon.

  1. Minced Onion

Using minced onion will help you reduce the swelling and the itching from mosquito bites, helping you to get rid of them. Apply the onion on the bite and leave it there for some time before washing it off.

As a plus, the strong smell from the onion helps to repel other mosquitoes, hence reducing the chances of getting more bites.

  1. Green tea bags

Never Throw Away The Used Tea Bags

If you throw away your used tea bags, then maybe you should stop because you can re-use them in multiple ways. One of these has to do with the fact that green tea is an effective method against itchy mosquito bites.

Dampen and refrigerate a green tea bag, then hold it on the bite until it stops hurting or stinging. The antibacterial properties of green tea will help soothe the swelling and stop the itching.

  1. Lemons

Lemon Peel Heals Joints

It might not be a way to get rid of mosquito bites once and for all, but it’sa quick solutionfor itching. This is a natural ingredient found in most anti-inflammatory products.Lemonhas anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties.

In this case, just a piece of raw lemon or lemon juice can be used. If you have any lemons in the fridge and you’ve endured quite a few mosquito bites, then you might have a remedy.

To treat the mosquito bite, you need to rinse it with cool water, dry it and squeeze some juice on the bite. If you are using lemon juice, you can use cotton wool to rub the bite. This will prevent the bacteria from getting in via the open bites and hencereducing chances of infections through these bites.

Moreover, you can also use lemons to make a non-toxic mason jar repellent that will keep insects away and avoid being bitten.

  1. Cucumbers

Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties calledfisetin. This makes them useful when combating mosquito bites. If you have any cucumbers handy, then cut a few slices and place one over the bite.

The cooling of the cucumber will help reduce the itching sensation while reducing the swelling.

  1. Aloe Vera

Amazing Ways to Use Aloe Vera

Did your grandmother cut and rub a bulbous leaf on your skin when you got hurt as a child? Well, if she did, she may have been using part ofthe Aloe Vera plant.

This is a natural antiseptic agent and, therefore, a great natural remedy for mosquito bites. TheAloe Verastem is useful at soothing all kind of bites and sores alike.

All you need is a small cutting, which is then sliced open to reveal aslimy internal pulp. Rub this pulp against the bite or sore to make it start the healing process. This willease the pain, reduce the swelling and stop the itching.

  1. Rubbing Alcohol

The alcohol in rubbing alcohol or other substances with alcohol content such as witch hazel and hand sanitizer is an effective and quick remedy for taking away the itching and the bite itself.

Just soak the cotton wool in alcohol and then apply it on the mosquito bite.

  1. Ice cube

You’ve probably used ice packs for quite a few physical issues before. Well, you can also use ice to get rid of mosquito bites.

This is actually one of the fastest and simplest natural remedies for those with a fridge at home. The coolness that comes with the ice cubes reduces the hot and itchy inflammation.

Once the bite has been cooled, it is so automatic that the itching will be numbed and then cease. It is very simple; you just need to hold the ice on the bite until it melts out.

  1. Soothing basil

basil Get Rid of Mosquito Bites

Rubbing basil leaves on the bite can help to sooth the swelling and stop the itching. Basil has also been known to repel mosquitoes and other bugs, so it might be a good idea to plant it in your backyard.

  1. Make an aspirin paste

Crush up some aspirin and mix it with a little bit of water until it forms a paste, dab it on the bite and feel the effects almost instantly. The drug containsacetylsalicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory that can help to sooth the stinging sensation of the bite.

Get Rid of Itchy Mosquito Bites Once and for All

If you’re being plagued with mosquito bites, there are many solutions that will help you enjoy your outdoor adventures in peace.

Try the above natural home remedies for mosquito bites and get rid of them before they blow out of proportion. As a precaution though, it is vital that you try to prevent recurrent bites if you are to steer away from getting diseases associated with mosquitoes.

Also, you might want to check our information on how to repel mosquitoes and avoid the bites altogether.

Either way, I hope you enjoy your outdoor activities, and please be safe!

References:

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