5 Natural Cures to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites

Updated on March 2nd, 2020
how to get rid of mosquito bites

Mosquitoes are monstrous beings. If you suffer from mosquito troubles, then you would second the opinion. The annoying tiny creatures are troublesome. The mosquitoes are the carriers of various diseases and can cause numerous infections.

Hence you need to keep yourself guarded against them. While you may or may not contract a disease from mosquito bites, the thing that you generally acquire after a mosquito bite is a bump that may cause redness on your skin and may linger for two to three days.

Often the bites cause severe itching due to which one tends to scratch their skin causing an infection. If summertime for you is the mosquito season and you end up scratching your skin, here are some natural remedies for how to get rid of mosquito bites that can provide you great relief.

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?

When a mosquito bites you, it breaks into your skin. The saliva of the mosquito is recognized by your body as a foreign substance, to fights off which your immune system activates. It releases histamine which causes swelling in the region. Histamine increases the blood flow in the area and brings in white blood cells to defend your body against the foreign substance causing inflammation.

It also signals the nerves surrounding the bitten area which causes an itchy sensation. The immune response is a reaction to a foreign substance that your body learns after being exposed to it, and it may vary from person to person.

Some people may never react to a mosquito bite while others may become more tolerable to the saliva over time. However, there are many for whom the reaction caused due to mosquito bite remains consistent, and they have to bear the annoyance all through life.

How to get rid of mosquito bites naturally?

If you are allergic to mosquito bites and get red itchy bumps with the arrival of summers, then here are some easy home remedies that can help alleviate your troubles. These simple natural cures for how to get rid of mosquito bites give you effective results and reduce the swelling and itching associated with the bites.

CURE 1: Foods 

1. Onion

You are surrounded by some amazing substances that can help cure various ailments. Those looking for how to get rid of mosquito bites and the persistent itching should try using onion. It gives visible results.

How to use it?

  • Take an onion
  • Mince it to form a thick paste
  • Apply the paste on the mosquito bite and leave it for about ten to fifteen minutes
  • Do this remedy one to two times to get relief from itching

Benefits of onion

Onion is an excellent home remedy for treating mosquito bites. It is rich in flavonoids and allicin which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your skin and reduce the itchiness. Further, its strong smell works as a mosquito repellent and keeps them at bay.

Precautions

Rub some onion on your arm to know whether you are allergic to it or not.

2. Lemon Juice

lemon juice
Image: ShutterStock

If a mosquito has bitten you and you start feeling the urge to itch, then immediately rush to the kitchen and find a lemon. It is your ultimate remedy for getting rid of mosquito bites.

How to use it?

  • Take a lemon
  • Cut it into half
  • Rub one half of the lemon directly on the mosquito bite
  • Leave it for five to ten minutes
  • After that, wash it off with water
  • Alternatively, you can squeeze out the lemon juice and apply it on the mosquito bite with a cotton ball.

Benefits of lemon juice

Lemons are acidic, and their potent anti-inflammatory property can soothe your skin and provide immediate relief from the irritation and itching. Use it immediately after mosquito bites you and bid goodbye to the itching and swelling associated with mosquito bites.

Precautions

If you have sensitive skin, then do a skin patch test with lemon juice before using the remedy.

Foods to eat

The following are the foods that work as a mosquito repellent and can combat your mosquito bite troubles. Hence you must include them in your diet.

  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Chili peppers
  • Lemongrass
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Grapefruit
  • Tomatoes
  • Beans

Foods to avoid

Mosquitoes attract to the scent of certain foods. Thus, if you do not want to worsen your mosquito troubles, then avoid the following:

  • Salty foods
  • Sugary foods
  • Beer

CURE 2: Herbal Treatments 

1. Green Tea

Green tea(1) is the magical herb that can effectively solve every trouble including mosquito bites. If you suffer from persistent itching due to mosquito bites, then try using green tea. It is an effective remedy for how to get rid of the troubles associated with mosquito bites.

How to use it?

  • Soak a green tea bag in cold water for about ten to fifteen minutes
  • Remove it from water and place it on the mosquito bite for ten minutes
  • After that, rinse the area with cold water
  • Repeat the remedy one to two times to get effective results
  • You can store the wet tea bags in your refrigerator for later use

Benefits of Green tea

Placing the cold tea bag eases the persistent itching immediately. Also, the tannic acid present in green tea has an anti-inflammatory effect. It soothes your skin and reduces the swelling and inflammation caused due to mosquito bites.

2. Aloe Vera

aloe-vera mosquito bites
Image: ShutterStock

Aloe vera is well known for its skin soothing and nourishing properties. Use it to get rid of skin itching.

How to use?

  • Take an aloe vera leaf
  • Cut it and extract the fresh gel
  • Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel on the affected region
  • Let it dry
  • Reapply if required
  • You can apply it two to three times daily to heal the bite

Benefits of aloe vera

The therapeutic healing properties of aloe vera provide great relief from skin itching. Further, its cooling and anti-inflammatory effects ease the discomfort due to the allergic reaction.

Precautions

You must use the freshly extracted aloe vera gel only. The store-bought gel may not be as effective as the fresh gel.

CURE 3: Essential Oils 

1. Tea Tree Oil 

Essential oils extracted from plants have potent properties that make them quite effective in treating numerous troubles including mosquito bites.  Of these tea tree oil is one of the best remedies for how to get rid of mosquito bites.

How to use it?

  • Add three drops of tea tree oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil
  • Apply the blend on the affected region
  • You can do this two times a day to get effective results.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

The tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve you from mosquito bites swelling and itching. Further, it is antiseptic, and antimicrobial thus prevents infection. Therefore, you can use it for infected mosquito bites as well. The insecticidal and repellent properties of the oil also help keep the mosquitoes away. So what are you waiting for? Try this excellent remedy now.

Precautions

Tea tree oil is quite potent hence it may cause an allergic reaction. It is advised that you do a skin patch test by rubbing diluted tea tree oil on your arm before using this remedy. If the oil causes intense pain and inflammation, then immediately wash it off with water.

2. Peppermint Oil

Another essential oil that is quite effective in treating mosquito bite rash is Peppermint Essential Oil.

How to use it?

  • Take a few drops of peppermint essential oil
  • Apply it directly on the mosquito bite
  • Apply it one to two times and see your troubles subside

Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil

The menthol present in peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect and soothes your skin. Further, its potent anti-inflammatory properties ease the swelling and itching caused due to the mosquito bite. Also, its strong fragrance acts as a mosquito repellent and keeps them at bay.

Precautions

If you have sensitive skin, then do not apply the oil directly to your skin. Dilute it in a teaspoon of carrier oil and then rub it on the mosquito bite.

[Read: Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Skin ]

Other essential oils 

Some other essential oils that can also ease the itchiness associated with mosquito bites are:

  • Rosemary Essential Oil
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Palmarosa Essential Oil
  • Patchouli Essential Oil

CURE 4: Home remedies 

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can work wonders for you and treat those swollen mosquito bites efficiently.

How to use it?

  • Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in an equal amount of water
  • Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on the mosquito bite
  • Do this one to times to get relief from the itchiness and swelling

Benefits of apple cider vinegar

Acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar has healing properties. Its exhibits a cooling effect and soothes your skin.

Further, its anti-inflammatory properties also ease the swelling caused due to the bite. Also, please note that apple cider vinegar is antimicrobial hence it prevents infections that may be caused due to constant scratching of the affected area. Thus you can say that apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for how to get rid of mosquito bites.

Precautions

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic; hence you must not apply it directly in concentrated form on your skin. It is recommended that you dilute it. Further, you must not use it on open cuts and wounds.

2. Honey

If you are the favorite target of mosquitoes every summer and your mosquito bites itch, then you must keep a bottle of honey with you. It can easily alleviate all your troubles.

How to use it?

  • Take some honey on your fingertips
  • Apply it on the affected region
  • You can apply it one to times to get relief from constant itching

Benefits of Honey

Honey has potent properties that make it quite effective in treating mosquito bites. It being anti-inflammatory soothes the skin and eases the swelling and itchiness caused due to the bite. Also, its antimicrobial properties prevent any infection that may occur due to scratching.

Precautions

You must always use raw, unfiltered honey to garner maximum benefits.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a wondrous spice. It is not only an excellent flavoring agent but is also widely popular for its medicinal properties. It can treat a wide array of ailments and is also an effective remedy for how to get rid of mosquito bites.

How to use it?

  • Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • Add to it one to two teaspoons of water to make a thick a paste
  • Apply this thick turmeric paste on the mosquito bite
  • Let it dry
  • After that, wash it off with water

Benefits of turmeric

Turmeric is a popular healing agent. Thus it can accelerate your immune response to mosquito bites and give you quick relief from them. Further, curcumin present in turmeric exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your skin and ease the swelling. Besides, healing the mosquito bites, the sharp aroma of turmeric also prevents them.

Precautions

Turmeric can cause stains. Hence be careful while using it.

CURE 5: Natural Treatments

1. Cold Compress 

Crushed ice is the best and the simplest solution for getting rid of mosquito bite bumps. Make a cold compress using crushed ice and get immediate relief from the annoying mosquito bite.

How to use?

  • Put some crushed ice in a washcloth and wrap it
  • Place the cloth on the affected area

Benefits of cold compress

The cooling effect of the ice soothes the skin and eases the inflammation and itching caused due to the bite of a mosquito. It is an effective method to get immediate relief from skin irritation.

Precautions

Do not place the cold compress on the bite for more than five minutes as it can damage the skin. The cooling effect of it may restrict the blood flow in the region and irritate it further.

2. Oatmeal 

Besides being one of your favorite breakfasts, oatmeal can also serve as an excellent remedy for mosquito bites. Enjoy a skin rejuvenating oatmeal bath and get rid of mosquito bites.

How to use?

  • Add a cup of oatmeal in your warm bathwater
  • Soak in it for about fifteen to twenty minutes

Benefits of oatmeal bath

If you are suffering from too many mosquito bites, then the oatmeal bath is the best remedy for you. It contains compounds known as avenanthramides which possess anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties that relieve you of the itching and swelling.

Precautions

You must not soak in the oatmeal bath for long as it may dry your skin. Also, after taking a bath, it is essential that you moisturize your skin properly.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites?

Mosquito bites not only cause bumps and itching but may also cause infections and severe diseases. Hence, you must make efforts to steer clear from mosquitoes. Here are some tips that can help you out in preventing mosquito bites.

  • Keep your surroundings clean. Locate the breeding grounds of mosquitoes and destroy them.
  • Do not let water stand in your nearby areas. Stagnant water is the favorite breeding place of mosquitoes.
  • Mosquitoes are attracted by dark-colored clothes, especially red and black. Hence, you must avoid wearing them.
  • Use mosquito net while sleeping
  • Use mosquito repellents
  • Mosquito bites are itchy, but you should refrain from itching. Scratching may provide you with some relief, but it may further irritate the skin and also cause infections.

Bottom Line

Mosquito bites are not that dangerous, but the constant itching can cause much annoyance. Further, some people do suffer from severe allergic reactions due to mosquito bites that result in the red inflamed skin.

If you hate summers and monsoons because of mosquito, then try the amazing remedies for how to get rid of mosquito bites mentioned above. These are natural and do not harm your skin thus you can use them without any worry. Also please note that besides using these remedies you must take effective measures to prevent mosquito bites.

It is not necessary that you may get an infectious disease, but mosquitoes do carry pathogens that can cause fatal diseases hence you should take effective prevention steps. Destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes and ensure a healthy and happy life.

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