Mosquito bites are the hallmark of warmer weather. Most mosquito bites are harmless, but some can cause complications. Mosquitoes bite because they are attracted to human blood. The bite, which might not appear until hours later, creates a bump that is typically swollen, sore, or itchy.
You may not notice when a mosquito bites you, but the bump the bite leaves behind comes with a persistent itch that can linger for days after the bite. Creams and medication can help, but you can also beat the itch with things that are probably already lying around your house.
Oats
One remedy for an uncomfortable mosquito bite may also be one of your favorite breakfasts. Oats can relieve itching and swelling because it contains special compounds that have anti-irritant qualities.
Make an oat paste by mixing equal amounts of oats and water in a bowl. Spoon some paste onto a washcloth and hold it, paste-side down, on the irritated skin for about 10 minutes. Then wipe the area clean.
If you have many bites, try an oatmeal bath instead. Sprinkle 1 cup of oatmeal or ground oats into a bathtub full of warm water. Soak in the oatmeal bath for 20 minutes, occasionally rubbing some of the clumped oatmeal onto irritated areas of your skin.
Lavender Oil
Dabbing a few drops of lavender oil to the itchy or painful bite can help dull the sensation—and help you resist touching and picking at it.
But, keep in mind: Oils from different brands may be more acidic than others, so make sure to dilute it with a drop or two of water first, which can help prevent any irritation from the oil.
Crushed Ice
Cold temperatures and ice can reduce inflammation. The cold also numbs the skin, which can give you immediate but short-term relief. Use a cold pack or a bag filled with crushed ice to relieve the itching caused by a mosquito bite.
Don’t leave the ice directly on your bite for more than five minutes as it can damage the skin. You can also put a barrier, such as a washcloth, between your skin and the ice so you can leave the ice on the bite longer.
Lemon Or Lime Juice
These fruit powerhouses provide itch relief and are antibacterial. But if you go this route, make sure you’re inside—these juices can burn your skin if you’re out in the sun.
Honey
This sugary sweet substance is a common pick among home-remedy enthusiasts because it has many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for ailments like sore throats to bumps and bruises.
A small drop on an itchy bite can reduce the inflammation. It should reduce your temptation to itch, as itching skin covered in honey can create a sticky mess.
Aloe Vera
A common household plant, aloe vera has many uses beyond shelf decoration. The gel has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to heal minor wounds or calm infections. That’s why it may be a good bet for healing a bug bite, too.
To try this, cut open a small section of the plant. Apply the plant’s gel to the area that’s irritated. Let it dry, and apply again as needed.
Baking Soda
Found in virtually every kitchen, baking soda has a multitude of uses — from baking bread to clearing drains. Otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda may also provide relief from a mosquito bite.
It’s easy to make a baking soda paste, and you can use it in a similar manner to oat paste. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste. Apply it to the bug bite, and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away. If skin irritation occurs, stop this treatment.
Basil
The fragrant basil plant is a key ingredient of many of your favorite Italian recipes, but it does double duty as a mosquito-bite remedy. Studies suggest that a chemical compound called eugenol, which is found in basil, could relieve itchy skin.
To make a basil rub, boil 2 cups of water and add half an ounce of dried basil leaves. Leave the mixture to steep until it’s cool. Then dip a washcloth into the liquid, and rub it gently on your mosquito bites. Alternately, you can chop some fresh basil leaves up until very fine, and rub them on to your skin.
Vinegar
For centuries, apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy to treat many medical conditions, from infections to blood glucose problems.
If you have an itchy bite, dab a drop of vinegar on it. The vinegar can help reduce stinging and burning sensations. It can also act as a natural disinfectant if you’ve been scratching too much.
If you need more relief, try soaking a washcloth in cold water and vinegar, and then applying it to the bite. If you have many bites, dilute 2 cups of vinegar in a tepid bath and soak for 20 minutes. Beware, a hot bath may make itching worse. If skin irritation occurs, stop this treatment.
Onion
Not only can onions bring tears to your eyes, they can bring relief to your mosquito bites. The onion’s juices, which leak out from the freshly cut bulb, can reduce the bite’s sting and irritation. Onions also have a natural antifungal property that can reduce your risk for an infection.
Cut a slice from an onion — the type doesn’t matter — and apply it directly to the bite for several minutes. Rinse and wash the area well after you remove the onion.
Thyme
The petite leaves of the thyme plant are delicious on potatoes, fish, and more. They may also help ease the itching of a mosquito bite. Thyme has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it can help reduce your risk of irritating and infecting the skin around a mosquito bite.
To get the most benefit from thyme, finely mince the leaves. You can apply the leaves directly to your bite, and let them sit for 10 minutes.
You can also make a concentrated liquid by bringing water to boil, and adding several sprigs of thyme. Let the sprigs steep until the water is cooled. Then dip a washcloth into the thyme-infused water, and apply to the bites. Leave the washcloth in place for a few minutes.
For extra relief, wrap a thyme-soaked washcloth around an ice cube for a natural cooling effect.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil's benefits when it comes to bug bites are three-fold. Not only can the coconut oil soothe the itchy, red skin, but it can also protect the bite from any dust and dirt that might irritate it. Coconut oil, like lavender, is also antibacterial, so it can help heal the bite as it protects and soothes it.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent that contains tannins. Used alone, witch hazel is beneficial for any number of skin irritations, from minor cuts and scrapes to hemorrhoids. Applying witch hazel to the skin reduces inflammation, soothes the burning and irritation the bite causes, and can speed up healing.
Apply a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball. Gently dab or swipe it over the bite. Allow it to dry. Repeat this as needed.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile, which is a member of the daisy family, is a common natural remedy for many ailments. When applied to skin, the tea can reduce inflammation, ease skin irritation, and speed up healing.
Steep a tea bag filled with the dried, crushed flowers in water in a refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then squeeze any excess water from the tea bag, and apply it directly to your bite. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe the area clean with a wet rag. You can chill the tea bag in the fridge for additional applications later.
Garlic
Garlic is a well-known natural remedy for conditions from heart disease to high blood pressure. While more conventional treatments may be preferred for those serious conditions, a bit of garlic applied to an irritating bug bite is an easy home remedy for a mosquito bite.
But before you slice into a bulb and apply it to your bite, know that applying cut garlic straight to a skin wound or bite may cause burning and stinging.
Instead of that, finely mince up fresh garlic and stir it in with an unscented lotion or room temperature coconut oil. This will help reduce the garlic’s potency but still allow you to get relief from the garlic’s natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then wipe it off your skin. Wipe the area down with a cool washcloth. Apply more later if the itching persists.
Worth A Mention
Of course, the best way to get rid of mosquito bite irritation is to avoid a bite altogether. Keep in mind that these insects are more active in the evening and at night. If you want to enjoy a summer evening outdoors but fear the petite blood-sucking bugs, cover your skin and stay away from standing water to reduce your exposure, although now if you are bitten, you are armed with these safe and cost-efficient homemade remedies.
Warning! If you have a bite and develop hives, difficulty breathing, or a swollen throat, contact a doctor immediately.
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