Mosquito Bite Remedy

How to treat mosquito bites? Here is a list of mosquito bite remedy. These home remedies for mosquito bites include natural mosquito control and tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes using natural mosquito repellent.

There are many different species or types of mosquitoes. Infected mosquito bites are the causes of diseases such as dengue, encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis, malaria and yellow fever.

When a female mosquito lands on your skin and bites, it inserts its proboscis which consists of two pairs of sharp flexible cutters that surrounds a pair of fine tubes. One of the tubes will suck your blood while the other will excrete its saliva which may contain parasites or virus.

A species called the culex pipiens is known to spread the west Nile virus. Aedes mosquitoes that are infected with virus will spread it to humans and cause dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever. Malaria is caused when an infected anopheles mosquito bites and injects the parasites into the blood.

Unless a person is very sensitive and allergic to mosquito bites, a bite by an uninfected mosquito will only cause a small bump and itching. Scratching can break the skin and cause bleeding which may lead to an infection.

Since getting bitten by a mosquito doesn't warrant medical attention, here is a list of mosquito bite remedy that you can try out for relief from the itching, possible allergic reaction and an infection. But always wash your skin first with soap and water, preferably using antibacterial soap to remove any irritants left by the mosquitoes.

If symptoms such as fever, body ache, headache, nausea or vomiting show up a few days after being bitten by a mosquito, you must see a doctor.

Mosquito bite remedy No. 1 - Use items from the kitchen

1. Wrap an ice pack around a thin cloth and place on the skin that was bitten. The ice should be able to stop the itching. Another mosquito bite remedy is to use table salt. Wet the skin and then rub the salt on it. Rubbing the cut part of an onion on the small bump will also stop the itch.
   
   
   
2. Another mosquito bite remedy is using baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on the skin and cover it with a plastic so that it would stay and then fasten it. Leave the poultice for an hour and repeat the process if you feel that it is necessary. You can also add a few drops of witch hazel extract to the baking soda.
   
   
   
3. Applying apple cider vinegar or plain white vinegar may also help but it will sting if you've already scratched your skin. Another well known mosquito bite remedy is to use meat tenderizer. It contains papain which is an enzyme from papaya which seems to help in healing all kinds of fresh bites and stings. Or try applying freshly squeezed papaya juice and see what happens.

Mosquito bite remedy No. 2 - Use plant extract or essential oil

1. Wet a cotton bud or q tip in witch hazel liquid extract which contains tannin, gallic acid and other phytochemicals. Witch hazel was traditionally used as a mosquito bite remedy and also as treatment for all insect bites and various skin inflammations and irritations.
   
   
   
2. If you haven't planted an aloe vera plant at home, it's a good idea to have one because the aloe vera juice is very helpful in treating many skin irritations including bites and stings. If you have one, cut open a leaf or stalk and apply the juice on your skin. It helps stop the itch, soothes the skin and may prevent swelling. Otherwise, keep a tube or bottle of aloe vera gel in your first aid cabinet.
   
   
   
3. If you have an unripe sugar apple, sweetsop or atis fruit, pound the flesh of the fruit and apply the juice to treat the mosquito bites. The Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development conducted studies on the anona squamosa plant and concluded that the leaves of the atis plant has vermicidal and insecticidal properties. The leaves and unripe fruits are used as natural mosquito repellent.

Mosquito bite remedy No. 3 - From the medicine cabinet or over the counter anti itch cream

1. Calamine is known as an anti itching agent. Applying calamine lotion may stop the itch from mosquito bites or other bites and stings. Its antiseptic properties are helpful in preventing an infection. If you have scratched the itch and caused weeping blisters, calamine helps dry it because of its astringent properties. When using calamine, leave it for about 45 minutes and then wash it off.
   
   
   
2. Another type of anti itch cream uses 1% hydrocortisone as one of its ingredients. Besides relieving itching caused by bites and stings, hydrocortisone cream, ointment, gel or lotion treats skin crusting, dryness, inflammation and redness.
   
   
   
3. The white color tiger balm is used as a mosquito bite remedy especially in south East Asian countries. It contains menthol, camphor, mint oil, cajuput oil and clove bud oil. For best result, rub the oil right after a mosquito has bitten.
   
   
   
4. Crush several aspirin tablets, make a paste by adding water to it and paste it on your skin which was bitten. Leave it to dry for about half an hour before washing it off. You can also mix the aspirin with rubbing alcohol instead of water.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites - Natural Mosquito Control

1. Researchers discovered that the female mosquitoes evaluate their victim by certain criteria which include a person's scent and the chemicals in the sweat before they bite. Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat, lactic acid and sweat. Take a shower after exercising, before going outdoors and when it is hot. Sweat attracts mosquitoes.
   
   
   
2. Turning on the fan may prevent mosquitoes from biting. Mosquitoes can't circle and land on you when there is wind. Turning on the fan also repels mosquito because the fan dilutes and disperses the carbon dioxide that you exhale which is one of the chemicals that attract mosquitoes. The fan also cools your body and will prevent sweating.
   
   
   
3. Wear light colored clothing because mosquitoes are attracted to heat and dark colors. If you are a mosquito magnet, apply insect repellent before going outdoors and wear long-sleeved shirt or blouse, wear long pants and socks.
   
   
   
4. Though there is yet any scientific evidence, taking the range of B vitamin supplement daily may cause mosquitoes to repel from biting. The logic behind it is that the B complex changes your body scent which becomes unappealing to mosquitoes.
   
   
   
5. Mosquitoes are more likely to bite at dawn or at dusk. One of the ways to avoid a mosquito bite is to stay indoors during these times.
   
   
   
6. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved the use of lemon eucalyptus as an insect repellent because it contains a chemical that repels mosquitoes and kills fungus. Dilute the oil before use by blending it with any carrier oil or aloe vera gel. Before using the pure lemon eucalyptus essential oil, dab a little bit on your inner arm to test for allergic reaction.
   
   
   
7. Use natural mosquito control insect repellent votive candles and incense sticks such as sandalwood sticks. Plant extracts found in candles such as lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, lemongrass oil and myrrh oil are natural insect repellents.
   
   
   
8. Blend 1 part of eucalyptus oil, 2 parts or tea tree oil and a few drops of clove oil and rubbing ethyl alcohol in a bottle. Use it as a body spray and home mist to repel mosquitoes.
   
   
   
9. Grow mosquito repellent plants to drive mosquitoes away. Some examples are citronella grass, lemon grass, lemon thyme, lemon verbena pyrethrum chrysanthemum, catnip and pelargonium citrosum or the mosquito plant. Make use of the leaves by crushing them and rubbing the juice or extract on your exposed skin. Rubbing fresh garlic on your skin may also repel mosquitoes.
   
   
   
10. Use a fine mosquito net to protect from mosquito bites. An insecticide treated mosquito netting is a better choice. There are also mosquito nets that you can bring along when you travel or go camping. Fixing mosquito netting or screen around windows or any openings at home would further prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
    
    
    
11. Make sure that there is no stagnant water inside and around your home because mosquitoes breed in them.

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