If you have been chewed on by a mosquito, you are going to know it. There is no mistaking the incessant itch and irritation that a bite from one of these pesky, little bloodsuckers causes. Unfortunately, mosquito bites seem to be a regular part of the warmer summer months. Because of the water in the air and ground and the comfortable weather, mosquitoes seem to come out in droves. When they do, they are immediately drawn to humans because of our scent, our color, our warmth and even the carbon dioxide that we exhale. Mosquitoes just absolutely love us and their affinity for our blood is one of the major ways to ruin a comfortable and happy summer day.
But what can you do if you haven’t avoided mosquitoes and they have chomped on you and left their mark? Is there any solution that will get rid of the itching and the pain? Are you just doomed to suffer through the discomfort or are there reliable and easy remedies that will at least partly alleviate the affliction? Here are some of the few ways that have been proven to help with the dread mosquito bite. (Disclaimer we have not tired all of these, but have heard they can help.)
Honey
Who doesn’t love honey? It’s an essential part of many meals – and many delicious desserts too. But did you know that his sugary sweet substance is a wonderful and effective remedy against mosquito bites due to its many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties? There is a good reason why so many outdoor enthusiasts bring honey with them during long hikes and camping trips. It has been used for generations as a treatment for such dread things as sore throats, scratches, bruises, and more.
How do you use honey to heal and help a mosquito bite? It’s rather simple! Just use a small drop on an itchy bite to nearly immediately reduce inflammation. You’ll feel better – and smell good too.
Oatmeal
More than just a traditional breakfast treat, oatmeal is a great way to relieve so much of the itching and swelling that comes with a mosquito bite. This is because oatmeal contains certain compounds that bring with them anti-irritant abilities. Oatmeal has been used to not only cure mosquito bites but also poison ivy and oak. It’s been a home-made remedy for ages – because it works.
The keys to making a healthy and helpful oatmeal paste are mixing equal amounts of oatmeal and water in a large bowl until you have a puddy-like substance, much like paste. It might not look very appealing but it will get the job done. Spoon some of this newly-made paste onto a towel and hold it on the bitten skin for about 10 minutes.
Baking Soda
Here is a remedy that you almost certainly already have in your home. Who doesn’t have some baking soda sitting around?
It’s easy to make a baking soda solution to cure your bites. In fact, it is similar to the oatmeal paste we just spoke about. Simply mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a small amount of water in order to create the paste. Apply the paste to the bug bite, and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away. In no time at all, you should feel some serious relief at the bite.
Vinegar
For generations upon generations, apple cider vinegar has been used as a reliable remedy to treat many medical conditions. Even the most serious infections have been addressed with vinegar.
Dab a drop of vinegar on a mosquito bite. You don’t need to do a lot of mixing or create any paste to make this work.
However, if you need more relief from a mosquito bite, soak an absorbent washcloth in water and vinegar, and then press that washcloth to the bite.
Garlic
While it might not smell great on the skin, garlic is a time-tested remedy for mosquito bites and has been used by millions of people again and again with great results.
Fair warning: before you slice into a garlic and then directly apply it to your bite, know that applying garlic straight to human skin might cause burning and stinging. But there is another approach that will work. All you need to do is mince up garlic and stir it in with a lotion or coconut oil. Let that mixture sit still for 10 minutes, then smear it onto your skin where the mosquito bit you. When you are done, wipe the solution off but save some for later because this is a creation that you can use again and again until the itching of the bite has subsided for good.
