Top 10 Best Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

The Mosquito Menace

Mosquitoes are present everywhere. Whether you are outside the house or inside, you can never get rid of them. You cannot run away from them. All you can do is take care of mosquito bites at your end to stay fit and healthy. They are a reason for so many diseases.  They breed well in damp waterlogged areas. Although very small, but leads to fatal disease like malaria, dengue, elephantiasis, Japanese B Encephalitis etc.

Different mosquitoes spread different diseases. The best way to treat the mosquito bites is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Avoid breeding of mosquitoes with use of proper methods and ensure hygienic environment around.

What are Mosquito Bites

As the name says, it is caused when bitten by mosquito. They appear as itchy bums on the skin. Mosquitoes puncture the skin with their mouth to suck the blood. This is how they feed themselves.

Mosquito bites usually cause swelling, redness, itching and soreness in people. In children this reaction is known as Skeeter syndrome. Mosquitoes’ saliva contains many parasites and viruses. These parasites are injected in human body during mosquito bite. These parasites and viruses can lead to various diseases.

The Risk Factors Of Mosquito Bites

When an already ill person is bitten by mosquito, the parasites or virus of that person enter the mosquito.

Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are carriers of various diseases.

• In United States, West Nile and Encephalitis are mainly spread by mosquitoes.
• In the southeastern part of the United States, dengue fever caused by mosquitoes has been reported.
• In tropical countries like Africa malaria and Yellow fever is spread by mosquitoes.
• In India malaria, encephalitis, elephantiasis and dengue are the diseases spread by mosquitoes.

How To Prevent Mosquito Bites?

Most of the mosquitoes are active during early morning or during the evening.

• Use mosquito repellent products to keep them away.
• Cover the windows and ventilators with net.
• Avoid going out during peak period.
• Apply herbal mosquito repellents before sleeping.
• Use Mosquito Nets at Night

What Are The Symptoms Of Mosquito Bites?

The immediate effects may vary according to the number of bites received by a person. Some of symptoms of mosquito bites are:

• A puffy bump on the skin immediately after the bite
• Reddish brown, itchy bumps
• Blisters caused by scratching
• Dark  spots or bruises caused by itching

Sensitive and allergic people may have the following symptoms:

• Swelling and redness on large areas of the skin
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Mild fever and body ache

If the body ache and fever are severe, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

How Long It Take To Feel Better?

This varies from person to person and type of mosquito bite. The saliva content and amount of saliva injected differs in mosquitoes. One can go for home remedies to get relief from itching and protect from infection.

Treatments Available

Both the home remedies and over the counter topical treatments and prescription medicines are available for treating the bites and allergies caused by them.

• Over The Counter Topical Treatments – Many creams, ointments and lotion are available at the medical shops. Calamine lotion is an example for this.
• Oral Prescription Medicines – Oral medicines are prescribed to the people who suffer from strong reaction of mosquito bite. They are costly and usually contain anti histamines to reduce the inflammations.
• Home Remedies – The home remedies are easy to use and are cheaper too. They do not have any side effects. They give you relief from the itching and inflammation caused by mosquito bite.

Following are some of the effective home remedies for mosquito bites

1. Lemon

Lemon has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-itch substances. Just cut the lemon into two halves and rub the softer side against your itchy. The harder yellow part can also be rubbed.

2. Minced Onion or Garlic

Take minced onion or garlic and apply it directly to affected area. Leave for a few minutes and then wash it off. You will get a quick relief from itching and pain.

3. Aloe Vera

We all know that the aloe vera is a medicinal plant. Cut the leaf of the plant and extract its juice. Keep the juice in refrigerator for some time. Apply this chilled juice on affected area.

4. Ice

Cold temperature numbs the affected area. Keep the ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth on the affected area for about 20 mins. This will give you quick relief from the swelling as well as itchiness. In case there is no ice available at the moment, then cold water can also be used.

5. Baking Soda

Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and mix them well to form a paste. You can apply the paste to the affected area with a cotton cloth or ball.

6. Alcohol

Alcohol works as an antiseptic. Take little amount of alcohol and rub it onto the affected skin area with the help of a cotton ball.

7. Salt

Salt is another easy remedy for mosquito bites. Make a paste of salt and few drops of water. Wash the affected area first and then apply this paste. Alternatively you can make a paste using garlic salt, seasoning salt and water in equal amounts. Apply this paste onto the affected area.

8. Tea Tree Oil

It has antiseptic properties which can be used for treating bacteria-infected wounds like acne and even mosquito bites. Take some tea tree oil and apply it to the affected area with the help of a cotton ball. This will also reduce the bump.

9. Toothpaste

Toothpaste gives a quick relief from the itchiness and inflammation. Simply dab some toothpaste onto the affected area with the help of a cotton swab. It is recommended to use peppermint based toothpaste and avoid gel based.

10. Aspirin

Take any regular aspirin and grind them up into a powder form. Now add a few drops of water into the powdered aspirin to make a paste. Clean the affected area and then apply this paste. Leave for a few hours and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Another option is to wet the affected skin first and then rub an aspirin over the spot. Soon you will get relief from the itching and redness.

Try any of the above remedies to get relief from mosquito bite. But even after this the problem persists, it is advisable to visit a doctor then.