The mosquitoes consume blood from living vertebrates, including humans, they are always ready to attack us with their sharp needles. Mosquitoes can carry life-threatening diseases, but for many people, torturous itchiness feels like more of a threat. While you can buy treatments for mosquito bites, there are a lot of home remedies that can relieve the itching and sting without the expense. Here are some of my favorite and most-effective home remedies for mosquito bites that can provide symptom relief and help treat the affected area.
1. Baking Soda
This is an inexpensive anti-itch remedy, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and mix it into a paste. Apply the paste to the wound and leave on for a few minutes, then wash off with warm water, the itching will soon disappear. Being alkaline in nature, baking soda neutralizes the pH of the skin and hence provides relief.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another simple remedy for mosquito bites is soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply directly to the affected areas. Packed with admirable medicinal properties, ACV can be used to relieve the irritation, itching, as well as pain associated with mosquito bites.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties. This oil is known as a cure-all for many problems and it can also alleviate the itching from mosquito bites. Simply use a cotton ball to apply some tea tree oil to the affected area.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a natural antiseptic agent, which makes it is one of the best home remedies for mosquito bites. It not only help ease the itching and swelling from the bit, but also aid in healing the wound. Just cut an aloe leaf and extract the gel. Apply it onto the affected area for immediate visible results. If you do not have an aloe vera plant, you can use aloe vera gel readily available in most stores.
5. Ice
Ice actually numbs the nerves that conduct itching and pain so you don’t feel either. Apply an ice pack or ice cubes on the affected area for about 10 to 20 minutes. If ice is not available, hold the affected area under a cool running tap for a few minutes.
6. Banana peel
If you happen to have a banana on hand, you may be able to use the peel to treat your mosquito bite. The banana peel not only worked, it worked FAST! Treat the area first with hand sanitizer, and then hold the inside (meat side) of the banana peel on the bite for 5-10 minutes. This will usually help reduce pain and swelling, and it can also help get rid of itching. Someone hypothesizes that the sugars in the chemical makeup of the skin of a banana could be soothing and draw fluid out from a bite.
7. Toothpaste
For quick relief from mosquito bites, try applying a small amount of all-natural peppermint toothpaste. Simply dab some toothpaste onto the affected area using a cotton swab. Let it dry overnight. Wash in the morning with cold water and mild soap. The toothpaste will dry the bite out, removing any irritation.
Interesting facts:
Many species of mosquitoes are not blood eaters. Also, in the bloodsucking species, only the females suck blood.
Mosquitoes can detect the various compounds on your body that attract them from as far as 150 ft. away.
Mosquitoes tend to prefer certain victims over others, including men, people who are overweight or obese, and those with type O blood.
Most bites occur at either dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
If you read this ENTIRE home remedies from start to finish, you may be so focused on reading that you forget that the bites actually itch!
