With summertime upon us, there’s something you may not be able to avoid: mosquito bites. These itchy, swollen bumps seem to go hand in hand with warmer weather. Although they are generally harmless, mosquito bites can cause complications and be very uncomfortable – especially if you already suffer from itchy skin due to eczema or other skin conditions.
In this post, we share some tips on how to make mosquito bites go away using natural remedies.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
When mosquitoes bite, they inject some of their saliva as they draw out your blood. Their saliva contains foreign substances called anticoagulants and proteins which trigger the body’s immune system. The body then prepares to fight these foreign invaders by releasing histamine. This is what causes itching, swelling, and inflammation.
Mosquito bites can affect people differently. Perhaps you have that one friend who doesn’t seem to get a reaction at all while you’re doing everything you can to stop scratching!
If a person is bitten for the first time, their body may not yet have formulated a response to the foreign substances. Other people may build up a tolerance.
The Itch Scratch Cycle
Like with eczema, mosquito bites can trigger the vicious itch-scratch cycle. When you experience an itchy sensation on your body, the automatic reaction is to scratch it. The temptation is real! However, scratching actually does more harm than good. When you scratch, the skin becomes even more inflamed and symptoms are exacerbated. This makes you want to scratch even more! And so the itch-scratch cycle begins.
Scratching can also cause the skin to break which can lead to infection. The good news is that with will-power and some natural remedies, you can stop yourself from scratching and break the itch-scratch cycle once and for all.
How to Relieve Mosquito Bites Naturally
If you’re wondering what prevents mosquito bites or how to manage itchy symptoms, check out these natural remedies:
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a powerful plant with anti-inflammatory properties. This helps it heal wounds and calm inflammation. Plus, its cooling gel can help relieve itchiness. To benefit from aloe vera’s healing properties, cut open a small section of the plant and apply the plant’s gel to the affected area.
Take an Oatmeal Bath
Colloidal oatmeal is a special type of finely ground oatmeal that can easily dissolve in water. Soaking your skin in a colloidal oatmeal bath can help reduce inflammation, itchiness, and irritation.
You can create your own homemade colloidal oatmeal treatment by grinding 2-3 cups of the oatmeal using a food processor or coffee grinder. Fill the tub with water and pour the oatmeal inside as the water is filling.
An alternative is to make a paste by adding a little water to colloidal oatmeal and applying it directly to the affected area.
Bring Down the Heat
When your skin is hot, red, and inflamed, it’s time to bring down the heat. One way to do this is with ice. We recommend using a cold pack or a bag of crushed ice rather than applying an ice cube directly to your skin.
You can also put a washcloth or towel between your skin and the ice. Do not leave the ice on for more than five minutes as this can damage your skin.
