A run-in with a mosquito (or two, three, or more) can be a minor annoyance. Or it can leave you feeling miserable with swollen bites that itch! Fortunately, relief is available. There are a number of at-home remedies — in your pantry, garden, and medicine cabinet — that can help you get rid of mosquito bites.
Be sure to read a firsthand experience of one writer’s strange cure for mosquito bites.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
Mosquito bites swell and itch because the little vampires leave something behind when they bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As the mosquito feeds, it injects saliva that contains an anti-clotting agent. The swelling and itching are your body’s reactions to the mosquito saliva.
Quick-Fix Remedies
The itching from a new mosquito bite can be intense. If you don’t have other treatments handy, there are a few remedies that can take the edge off:
Ice. An ice cube, a small bag of frozen peas, an ice pack … it doesn’t matter. Cold numbs the area and keeps swelling under control.
Caution: To avoid skin damage, don’t put ice directly on your skin, and don’t leave a cold pack on for more than 20 minutes.
Cold compress. No ice? Wet a cloth with cold water and put it on the bite.
Heat. It sounds counterintuitive, but heat can desensitize the nerves that signal an itch. There are heat pens on the market for this purpose, but DIY measures can help, too.
- Soak a cloth in warm water and apply it to the site.
- Place a spoon in hot water or coffee, then press the back of the spoon to the bite.
Caution: To avoid burns, watch the water temperature, and don’t apply heat for more than 10 minutes.
Toothpaste: The mint or baking soda found in some non-gel toothpaste will quickly ease itching.
Remedies From the Pantry
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If you don’t have bug-bite products in the house, check the kitchen before you go shopping: Many food items can provide some relief:
Oatmeal. It’s not just for breakfast. Actually, it contains compounds that will ease the itching and swelling. Make a thick paste from equal amounts of oatmeal and water, then apply the paste to the bite and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Honey. This sweet syrup has long been lauded for its medicinal properties. A small drop of honey might ease inflammation from the bite. Be careful not to get it on clothes or furniture. And scratching could get messy.
Baking soda. This multi-use kitchen staple can help ease bite discomfort. Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and add enough water to make a paste. Put the paste on the bite site and let sit for 10 minutes.
Apple cider vinegar. Another product with a reputation for medicinal use, vinegar can help reduce itching. Another option: soak a cloth in a mix of vinegar and water, then apply to the bite site.
Onions. Onion juice has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. To ease bug-bite irritation, cut a slice from any kind of onion, and apply it to the bite for a few minutes. You may want to wash the area, and your hands, afterward.
Garlic. This well-known natural remedy has antibacterial properties. But don’t plop cut garlic on your bite — it will be painful. Instead, mince the garlic and combine with petroleum jelly or an unscented lotion, then apply and let sit for 10 minutes.
Chamomile tea. You may have this in the house to help you sleep or battle a cold. But it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Steep a tea bag in the refrigerator for a half-hour, then apply the wet bag to the bite site. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Firsthand Experience: My Strange Cure For Mosquito Bites
Whenever I have a particularly itchy mosquito bite, I pour a few drops of Diet Coke on it, and the itching and swelling stops right away. If you’re not a big fan of diet soda, you can use your fizzy drink of choice. Club soda is probably the best choice if you’re not a fan of getting sticky.
I learned the trick when I was listening to a radio drama, and the character mentioned “putting a little soda water on it.” Turns out, carbon dioxide dissolves the insect spit that causes the allergic reaction in the first place, and soda is chock full of it. Who knew?
You can get the same results by mixing a little baking soda and water, but if you’ve already got a bottle of pop on hand, it’s much faster and easier.
Remedies From the Garden
A treatment for mosquito bites may be as close as your garden or the potted plants on your porch.
Aloe vera. This plant has a reputation for soothing burns and may be a good choice to soothe a bug bite. Cut open a small piece of the plant and apply the gel to the bite area. Let dry.
Basil. This mainstay of Italian dishes also has anti-inflammatory properties. Finely chop fresh leaves and rub them on the bite. No fresh basil? Boil ½ ounce of dried leaves in 2 cups of water. Let cool, then use a cloth to apply the liquid to the bite.
Thyme. This seasoning contains antibacterial properties. Finely chop some fresh leaves and put them on the bite for 10 minutes. Or toss a few sprigs into boiling water and leave them until the water cools. Then dip a cloth in the liquid and apply it to the bite.
Lemon balm. Long considered a calming herb, lemon balm contains tannins, which produce an antiviral effect, and eugenol, which has antibacterial properties. Some studies suggest that it may help heal cold sores. To use, finely chop leaves and apply them to the bite.
Essential Oil Remedies
The American College of Healthcare Sciences suggests a few essential oils that can ease the discomfort of mosquito and other bug bites:
Tea tree oil: Acts as an antiseptic and can relieve pain, inflammation, and itching.
Lavender oil: Used for its soothing and analgesic effects. One of the few essential oils that can be applied directly to skin.
Rosemary and lemongrass oils: Both are used for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Basil oil: Used for its antimicrobial properties, and its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce irritation.
Mint oils: Either peppermint or spearmint will work. Both provide cooling relief from bite pain and irritation.
How to Apply Essential Oils
Most essential oils should not be applied directly to skin as they may burn or irritate. (And don’t use undiluted oils on damaged skin.) A couple of ways to safely apply them:
Create an ointment. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil to an ounce of carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, or vegetable oil). Or, use an unscented lotion or salve.
Make a spray. Combine 2-3 drops of essential oil with 2-3 drops of carrier oil for each ounce of water in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
Over-The-Counter Remedies
If other at-home treatments don’t give you relief, it’s time to look in your medicine cabinet or run to the drugstore for:
Calamine lotion: This lotion, which contains zinc oxide and ferric oxide, soothes bites, sunburn, and a few other skin issues.
Witch hazel: This natural astringent can reduce inflammation.
Antihistamine or corticosteroid cream: Both can relieve swelling and itching.
Oral antihistamines: OTC allergy meds for hay fever are usually recommended for people who have strong reactions to bites. A University of Washington article suggests that those with sensitivities take an antihistamine a few hours before going out.
When to Call the Doctor
Fortunately for most of us, mosquito bites are a minor annoyance that eventually clears up. But sometimes, mosquito bites can get infected or lead to other issues. Here’s when to call the doctor:
Infections
We get it: Mosquito bites itch! But please, don’t scratch. Bacteria from your hands (and under your nails) can get into the wound and cause infections. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that you seek medical help if you notice:
- Redness or red streaks from the bite
- Pus or drainage
- Very warm skin around the bite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
Allergic Reactions
It is possible to be allergic to mosquito saliva. In fact, there’s a name for it: skeeter syndrome, and it can hit even if you’ve never had a reaction to a bite. Symptoms can show up eight to 10 hours after a bite. The Cleveland Clinic says to get help if you have any of these symptoms:
- Hives
- A large area of swelling
- Pain
- Blisters
- Fever
Seek immediate treatment if you have:
- Swollen throat
- Wheezing
- Problems breathing
Mosquito-Borne Disease
In some cases, mosquito bites can lead to serious illness. Even common types of mosquitoes can spread diseases, such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and malaria. While traveling puts you at greater risk of malaria, some locally acquired cases have been reported in the U.S. Get medical help if you have any of these symptoms.
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea
- A rash
- Fatigue
FAQ
Warming oils can increase itching and swelling. A few essential oils to avoid, according to the American College of Healthcare Sciences:
• Allspice
• Bay Laurel
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Fennel
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Sage
• Thyme
• Camphor (This has anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s also an insecticide. Avoid, especially if the bite has a burning sensation.)
A few things that will ease mosquito (and other bug) bites:
• Antiseptic wipes to clean the site
• Disposable cold packs. These contain chemical ingredients (plus water) that activate when you shake or squeeze the pack.
• Hydrocortisone or antihistamine ointment
• Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl. (Caution: Be very sure that you or the person you’re helping can tolerate oral antihistamines. Allergic reactions are possible.)
According to the Cleveland Clinic, anyone can get skeeter syndrome (which is an allergy to proteins in mosquito saliva). Older adults and those with an impaired immune system are at higher risk. Very young children are at the highest risk since their immune systems haven’t learned to cope with the allergen.
When to Call in a Professional
If your attempts to banish mosquitoes have failed, Pest Gnome can connect you to the best pest control experts in your area. A local pro has the tools and methods to rid your home and property of mosquitoes so you don’t have to worry about dodging the little biters.
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