How to Relieve Itching From Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites can be annoying and distracting, but there are ways to heal. Treat immediately after being bitten by mosquitoes for best results. Clean the sting with rubbing alcohol, disinfecting wipes, or clean water as soon as possible. While the itching won’t go away completely before the mosquito bite heals, you can use a variety of products from lemon juice to aloe vera to relieve itching.

Table of Contents

Use materials found in the kitchen

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Dab some honey on the mosquito bite. Honey will soothe the skin that has been bitten by mosquitoes and will help relieve the itching. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Apply apple cider vinegar to the sting. Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the mosquito bite. ^{[2] X Research Source} Leave it as it is for a few minutes. Vinegar will help relieve the pain.

Another way is to mix the paste with apple cider vinegar and flour. In addition to the soothing effects of apple cider vinegar, this mixture will dry out the sting. Apply the mixture on the mosquito bite area and let it dry, then rinse with warm water. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Use lemon. Cut a lemon into pieces and rub it on the skin of the mosquito bite, or squeeze some lemon juice on the bite. The citric acid in lemons has soothing properties. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Use oatmeal. Oatmeal is well known for its anti-itching properties, so you can mix some oatmeal and water into a paste to treat mosquito bites. Apply the mixture to the sting, wait for it to dry, then wash it off. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Apply meat tenderizer to mosquito bites. Mix meat tenderizer with a little water and apply on mosquito bites. Let the powder dry, then rinse. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Use baking soda. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda with 2 cups of warm water. ^{[7] X Source of Study} Gently apply to the mosquito bite area, leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. This type of alkaline solution is often used to relieve itching caused by insect stings.

Use commercial products

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Look for over-the-counter anti-itch medications to relieve itching. Products like Stingose and After Bite can help with pain. ^{[8] X Research Source}^{[9] X Research Source} Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion may also help reduce itching and swelling. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Use as directed on product. Ask your pharmacist if you cannot find this product.

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Mix the paste with aspirin. Aspirin will help relieve pain and relieve symptoms such as swelling and itching. ^{[11] X Research Source} Of course, you should not use this method if you are allergic to aspirin.

Alternatively, you can also mix the paste with Tums tablets. ^{[12] X Source of Study} This medication is also used to relieve itching.

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Rub rubbing alcohol on the skin that has been bitten by mosquitoes. Alcohol has a cooling effect, so it can provide temporary relief from itching. Alcohol also has drying properties, so can help astringent stings and reduce swelling. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Dab a little toothpaste on the mosquito bite. ^{[14] X Research Source} This is a miraculous itch reliever. Regular toothpaste is the best option in this method. Rub toothpaste on the mosquito bite and let it dry overnight, wash it off the next morning with cold water and mild soap. The toothpaste will dry out the mosquito bite and can cure the irritation.

Do not use gel toothpaste. Gel creams are not suitable for this method.

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Use soap. Wash the mosquito bite area with soap and water. Soap alone may be enough to soothe the itch. Use mild soaps so you don’t dry out or irritate your skin further. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Use herbs and essential oils

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Use aloe. Apply aloe vera gel or break an aloe leaf and rub it on the mosquito bite to relieve itching. Aloe vera is known for its soothing and healing properties for skin problems. ^{[16] X Research Sources Zora Aiken and David Aiken, <i>The Essential Family Camper</i>, p. 78, (2001), ISBN 0-07-137614-3}

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Try using basil leaves. Crushed fresh basil leaves applied directly to mosquito bites can also relieve itching thanks to thymp and camphor, both of which are natural itch relievers. Basil is also useful in repelling insects to prevent mosquito bites. ^{[17] X Research Source}

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Use syllables. You can use your fingers to roll psyllium leaves to get water in the leaves or rub the leaves on mosquito bites. The itch should go away in less than a minute. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Use water, heat and pressure

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Press or pat the sting with your hands. Do not press or pat too hard but strong enough to distract the itch for a while. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Soak in a warm, relaxing bath. Add strong chickweed tea, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar, or 2 cups (280 g) of oatmeal to your bath water to relieve itching. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

You can add a few essential oils to the bath water to make the bath water not only more fragrant, but also help clear the mosquito bites and soothe the skin.
Make sure the water isn’t too hot, and don’t stay in the tub for more than 20 minutes to avoid drying out your skin.

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Apply an ice pack or ice cubes to the mosquito bite. ^{[24] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} You can place a compress on the mosquito bite area for about 20 minutes to soothe the itch.

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Press a warm spoon on the mosquito bite. Soak a metal spoon in hot steaming water for 1 minute. Remove the spatula, let it cool for about 5-10 seconds and press on the sting. Hold for 10-30 seconds. Repeat several times while the water is still hot and do it several times a day until the sting heals. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

Advice

Don’t be discouraged if a certain therapy doesn’t work right away. Some therapies may need to be done 2-3 times to be effective. You will eventually get rid of the itch; Do something to distract yourself.
During relatively cool summer days, you should try to wear a light jacket to protect your shoulders, neck, and arms.
It is possible that you are reacting to mosquitoes in a strange place rather than in a familiar place. Mosquitoes come in many species, so you may react to certain species more than others.
If you are afraid that you will accidentally scratch while sleeping, take a bandage and stick it on the mosquito bite.
Avoid sweet-scented perfumes and dark clothing, as these factors often attract mosquitoes.
Using essential oils and ice packs is the best way to treat itching caused by mosquito bites.
Wash mosquito bites as soon as you find yourself bitten.
If the stings are often concentrated around the feet and ankles, try wearing high socks, especially when going to bed.
Dry skin will make you itch more, so applying lotion or moisturizer can also help.
Try applying a few drops of oregano oil after washing the affected area. You can repeat every 2 hours.
Lavender essential oil can repel mosquitoes. Try putting a little lavender oil in a diffuser near your bed if you often get bitten by mosquitoes at night, or apply the oil on your body before going outdoors.
Avoid mosquito bites by taking precautions: stay out of the sun when mosquitoes are most active (morning and dusk), put nets on windows and repair any tears immediately, wear long pants, a shirt Wear an insect repellant product that contains DEET, Icaridin (also known as picaridin), or lemon eucalyptus oil. ^{[26] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Warning

If you suspect an allergy to a mosquito bite (the sting immediately swells), ask your doctor about taking an antihistamine.
Whatever you do, don’t scratch or rub the mosquito bite. The more you scratch, the more it itch.
If the mosquito bite doesn’t go away and the sore doesn’t heal, see your doctor. Skin showing signs of inflammation or infection requires medical treatment.
Mosquitoes carry a number of serious pathogens that can be transmitted to humans, such as West Nile virus infection, Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. It is important to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Seek medical attention right away if you have a fever, headache, body aches, or other signs of infection. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Steps