Treating Mosquito Bites and Stings

Bites from mosquitoes can be really annoying and irritating and leave you with a localized allergic reaction. In this article, we tell you on how to treat bites and stings from mosquitoes.

Have you ever thought as to why it itches so much when a mosquito bites? A mosquito when it bites injects saliva into the skin which enables it to suck blood quicker. The saliva causes a localized allergic reaction which then leads to redness and itchiness in the bite region. While a mosquito bite is not nearly dangerous as a sting from a bee or a wasp, it can nevertheless be both annoying and irritating. Treating mosquito bites isn’t a laborious task and can be done from home itself. In this article, I am imparting some home remedies via which mosquito bites can be treated.

The first thing which you need to do is to carefully wash the bite region with mild soap and water. Thereafter apply an antiseptic ointment which will help to reduce the risk of infection. However if you still don’t get any respite from the itching then place ice directly on the mosquito bite region. It will help to relieve the itchiness to some extent. Avoid scratching the lumped region because it will only trigger the histamines in that region leading to even more discomfort.

Some people apply vinegar directly on the bump and then take a hot water bath. This too has been found to be a very effective solution for mosquito bites. You could also place an onion on the bite region and the acidic nature gradually takes effect. Baking soda and water too is a simple remedy for mosquito bites. Simply make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it generously on the affected area. The swelling and itchy feeling subsides almost instantaneously following application. You could also use anti-histamine tablets which help to neutralize the effect of the mosquito bite but these should be used only in extreme cases.

Toothpaste is yet another medication that could help you get relief from mosquito bites. But you need to use a pepper mint or neem based toothpaste. Allow the paste to dry and leave it for as long as desired.

Try rubbing a piece of garlic on the affected region. It may burn for a bit of time but you will experience major relief afterwards. Application of honey and lime paste too can help to reduce swelling and itchiness feeling. Mosquito bites are generally not a serious problem but in some cases, too many bites may become a serious problem. In such cases, implement the suggestions that have been given above.