How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites ASAP

Mosquitoes are no fun. They swarm you, they bite you and they leave you incredibly itchy. And while there is no shortage of mosquito repellents and zappers along with an endless list of tips and tricks to keep mosquitoes away, your best efforts fall short, leaving you with scratchy bug bits on your skin. But before you start scratching that itch, read on for a way to keep yourself from digging at it.

Why You Shouldn’t Itch Mosquito Bites

Sure, easier said than done, but if at all possible, you really should try to keep your hands off the bites. When a mosquito injects its saliva into you, your body recognizes the proteins from the sting as an intruder and goes to work fighting it by releasing histamine, a chemical that helps the immune cells counteract the bite.

Scratching a mosquito bite re-aggravates the saliva from the flying pest, causing your body to release more histamine and making the bite itch even worse. Scratching the bite will eventually break the skin, which can lead to infection and leave you with scabs as the open sore heals.

But it’s just so hard to resist scratching those bites, so here’s how to give yourself from relief.

Getting Rid of Bug Bites

Make some baking soda paste

If a bite happens, itching is soon to follow. This is when you scratch off your skin in a fury of discomfort, right? Not so fast! The first thing NOT to do is scratch the bite, which actually only irritates the skin further, and can lead to infection.

You can try dabbing on some baking soda paste (a bit of water and regular baking soda) to help relieve the itch.

Ice is another noteworthy option for alleviating the discomfort of mosquito bites. It’s something you likely don’t have to go out of your way for, making it a quick fix. You simply apply an ice pack or cube, protected inside a cloth or bag, directly to the bite for about 10 to 15 minutes. The cold is “vasoconstricting,” meaning it works to reduce the amount of blood flowing to the bite area, therefore reducing swelling and itching. Repeat as needed. Find out if mosquitoes bite through clothes.

Turn to oatmeal

Have some old oatmeal you’re not interested in eating? Why not put it to good use by making an oatmeal bath to relieve your itchy bite? The oatmeal contains calming properties, lowering the skin’s pH level to soothe the irritation. Simply grind up a cup of rolled oats in a blender until it becomes a powder, then sprinkle into a warm bath and dip in!

Try an aloe plant

If you have an aloe plant, break open a spike and put some of the clear gel on your bite. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the plant’s gel can help heal minor wounds and sooth irritated skin. No wonder store-bought sunburn gels are full of it!

Try Something New

The “Bug Bite Thing” is a new product from “mompreneurs” and mother/daughter team Ellen McAlister and Kelley Higney that uses suction to remove insect saliva and venom from under the skin and eliminate itching, stinging and swelling. The product works for mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ants and anything else that leaves irritants under the skin. Learn more in our review.

Prevent Mosquitoes

Though there isn’t really an iron dome that will guarantee you won’t get bitten, there are some things you can do to give yourself a fighting chance against these pests. There are the tried and true mosquito repellents applied directly to the skin. You can also make a homemade repellent that’s safe to spray around your yard to help keep the bugs away while you enjoy some time relaxing outside. There are a few other tips that will help get rid of mosquitoes too, or at least help reduce the nuisance, like avoiding scented body products when you’re outdoors.