Summer time, we think of BBQ’s, picnics in the park, long summer nights and holidays abroad. The warm weather brightens up your spirits from the cold winter months and everything is perfect until you start to hear that high pitch buzzing sound drilling into your brain as you cower under the sheets… Mosquitoes!
Everyone has suffered the raff of these blood thirsty insects. To them we are a giant bucket of KFC, or an all you can eat Chinese buffet, leaving behind nasty red marks and an irritating itchy aftermath.
Why do mosquito bites itch?
The itching that occurs after you have been bitten by a mosquito is your body’s reaction to the event.
Did You Know only female mosquitoes bite?
Technically mosquitoes don’t bite, they suck. When a mosquito has selected you as their main course, or starter, for the evening she uses her needle like mouth part (called a proboscis) to penetrate your skin then searches around for a tasty blood vessel.
Once she has found the perfect vessel she will start to feed. But before this begins a mosquito will release some of her saliva which acts as an anticoagulant. This lets her feed without being detected.
Our body’s natural reaction towards an anticoagulant is to create histamines and send them to the affected area. It is the histamines which cause the bite to itch. It’s not the mosquito that has caused both the swelling and the itching but your immune system!
The vicious cycle is the more you scratch and itch at a mosquito bite the more histamines your body sends to the area.
Next time you become victim to a mosquitoes bite restrain yourself from scratching, it’s just going to create an endless nightmare of an unstoppable itch.
How can I stop mosquito bites itching?
Fortunately for us there are some treatments for mosquito bites which can help reduce redness, swelling and help stop that infamous itching.
These natural remedies for mosquito bites which can be made from items found around your home, and can help put an end to those sleepless nights and let you enjoy your summer.
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a great treatment to help fight the annoying itch that possesses you after a mosquito bite. The menthol flavour from the toothpaste acts as a cooling agent keeping your mind distracted from the urge to scratch. To add to this the astringency characteristic of toothpaste will help reduce swelling by eliminating the fluid build-up.
Honey
Did you know honey is a natural antibiotic and more importantly fresh honey? Been bitten by a mosquito? Apply some honey to the bite.
If you’re like me and you attack each mosquito bite like a feral cat on a can of tuna then honey is also a great way to treat mosquito bites that you have scratched open.
Banana Peel
It may sound strange but banana peel is another great way to treat a mosquito bite. This is due to the natural oils found within the banana skin. For this natural remedy simply rub the banana peel, flesh side down, on your mosquito bite and relax as the irritating itch fades away.
Vapour Rub
Not only can vapour rub help with a blocked nose but it has also been proven to reduce itch from mosquito bites for some people. Much like toothpaste, this is mainly due to the menthol based ingredients found in this product, mixed with the camphor oil.
Ice
Just like wasp and bee stings, ice is a great way to treat a mosquito bite. Take either an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas and place it on the mosquito bite. The cold temperature will help cool the area, reducing the redness and keeping the itching apocalypse at bay.
Aloe Vera
Did you know that aloe vera is a fantastic, natural, antiseptic agent? That’s what makes it a good natural remedy for mosquito bites. The vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera will help to reduce the pain, swelling and itching. On top of that it will also help the bite heal faster.
Either fresh aloe vera or aloe vera gel works perfectly for this home remedy. Beforehand make sure it is at a cold temperature before you apply it to your skin, simply leaving it in the fridge for 10 minutes usually does the trick. All you need to do is rub the gel (this can be extracted from a fresh aloe vera plant by cutting a meaty portion off and squeezing) to the mosquito bite and let the aloe vera do its magic.
Create an X
This next home remedy for mosquito bites is more of a temporary fix rather than a solution. All you need to do is make an X on top of the mosquito bite using your fingernail. Don’t press too hard as you don’t want to pierce the skin, just apply enough pressure to make a dent. This will help stop the itching however it will return when the X fades away.
Do you want to know more about how to get rid of mosquitoes?
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