By Vicki Salemi
The itchy, red bites of mosquitoes typically last for days, but during the height of the summer when you’re outdoors 24/7, those days may seem long and weary. The bump is the result of the mosquito injecting the skin with saliva, creating an itchy irritation. The good news is that several household remedies are at your fingertips to alleviate those itch-filled days.
Find out which ingredients will soothe your bite below.
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Lemons
Lemons may taste bitter, but they can help shrink swelling and prevent scratching bites due to anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects, says Dr. Schultz, who suggest applying the juice with a cotton swab. If you don't feel like squeezing lemons yourself, you can also use fresh lemon juice as long as it's not from concentrate.
Epsom salt
This household item can work wonders. Soak a cotton washcloth in cold water that's been mixed with Epsom salt (two tablespoons per cup) and apply it to the mosquito bite. Another option is to add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a cup of hot water until it dissolves. After the solution has been chilled in the refrigerator for 20 minutes it may be applied to the mosquito bite. "Basically, anything that itches or burns the skin, Epsom salt can soothe," notes Joe Matusic, M.D., a pediatrician in Charleston, W.Va., and an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Charleston division of the West Virginia University School of Medicine.
Toothpaste
Although it's commonly used for your teeth, toothpaste just got a bit more versatile, moonlighting as a mosquito bite healer. "You could apply it several times a day without any problems," says Betty Pillsbury of GreenSpiralHerbs.com. "Toothpaste [especially peppermint] rubbed on the site of the mosquite bite relieves itching. The peppermint exerts a cooling sensation on hot, inflamed (i.e. bitten) skin," adds Jennifer Crain, a holistic pediatrics specialist.
Baking soda
Baking soda is one sure-fire way to simultaneously deal with multiple mosquito bites. Dr. Sue G. DeCotiis, a board-certified medical internist recommends creating a concoction of one-third baking soda and two-thirds water particularly when you have multiple bites. "When you have a lot of bites, get into a bath tub and soak in it for about twenty to thirty minutes." It acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve skin irritation..
Garlic
After cleaning the bite, Dr. DeCotiis suggests putting fresh garlic on it. In fact, she says it could work well on any wound, in particular to help healing as if it is put on the raw tissue. She recommends leaving it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and then reapplying later on in the day.
Honey
The same way honey is soothing to your sore throat, it is also soothing to your skin. "Honey is good for anything that's irritating," notes Dr. Schultz. "It has all sorts of wonderful qualities due to its anti-inflammatory effects." He recommends diluting honey with one-third's part water and then using a Q-tip to apply it directly to the mosquito bite.
Tea
"The herbs could work as an anti-inflammatory," says Dr. DeCotiis. Make sure the tea is about room temperature and then put the tea bag on [the bite] for about twenty to thirty minutes. By the second day, the redness should subside. "For a chamomile tea bag, I'd leave it on for about twenty minute or so."
Ammonia
Want to immediately stop the itching sensation from nasty mosquito bites? Applying ammonia will interfere with the conduction of nerve fibers and stop the itching sensation. "Ammonia functions as a nerve anesthetic. Use a Q-tip in the smallest amount and coat the bite with the liquid," explains Dr. Schultz.
Milk
Not just for cereal anymore, doctors say milk has soothing properties. Mix a solution using skim milk and water (at room temperature) in equal parts and the protein of the milk will decrease the itching sensation. Dr. Schultz recommends dabbing an old t-shirt or handkerchief in the solution and leaving it on for a few minutes. "This is wonderful to relieve the itching."
Ice cubes
What could be more inexpensive and simple than good old-fashioned ice? "The cold ice cube will stop itching immediately" according to Neal Schultz, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist who recently launched DermTV. He says that ice is an extremely effective way to soothe mosquito bite itches. You may apply an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth directly onto the bite every few hours.
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Mistorri 10:59:07 PM Aug 24 2009
Jaimeboy4NSTY, you could be right! I know the tobacco works for bee stings! Takes the sting right out. I found out as a kid when I got stung. My day smoked. He said it was an old remedy to use tobacco. Wet it, and cover the sting or bite. It works! Believe it or not. I will do it because it works. I do not smoke and do not advise it, but...the tobacco works. It would be better used medicinally to help against bee stings and insect bites!
Jessyyanez 12:00:03 AM Aug 24 2009
vinegar is a woderful remedy against mosqitoes it stop the itch and it keeps them away try it !
SJBMG 09:23:25 PM Aug 18 2009
LEMONS ARE BITTER?!?! Just another sad example of AOL "News". Gads, the news you can count on to be misspelled, unpunctuated, and without any cohesive grammer rules whatsoever! Anyway, lemons are never bitter. SOUR, YES. NEVER KNOWN TO BE BITTER!
Taylor12sGuitar 05:46:39 AM Aug 06 2009
I use calendula cream .. it really works to stop the itching fast and is a natural plant remedy !
Ajenny18 11:48:05 PM Aug 05 2009
I've used alcohol on moskito bytes it does work, it stops the itch
SPorm 06:06:13 AM Aug 03 2009
The long lasting itch of chigger bites can be relieved by applying a dot of nail polish to the site. Clear polish if you don't want people to comment on your colorful spots or go ahead and use the colorful stuff if you're just desperate to STOP THE ITCH!!
Escape4Refuge 05:44:19 AM Aug 03 2009
Bug bite remedy? Get real. If readers have serious reactions, they ought to be under a doctor's supervision, and like me probably have an Epi-pen and Benedryl cream handy . If not, before you go outside, take a shower, avoid perfumes, body sprays or scented antipersperant. In heavy swarms of mosqitoes, if you are not using DEET, you are a yummy snack for mosquitoes. I have horrible allergies, so I am an expert on what to do about itching. Run cold water over the bite when itching is at its worst. If buying something makes you feel like you are taking care of yourself, buy the cold water out of a vending machine. Seriously, if you are going to take anyone's advice other than your doctor, do not make it something you read on AOL News.
Escape4Refuge 05:42:22 AM Aug 03 2009
The absolute only reason I still have AOL is I have had the email address for so long it will be a hassle to change it. Reading nonsense like this inspires me suck it up and get rid of AOL. Does anyone else have the feeling the AOL News staff is a group of high school dropouts sititing around making up stories.? AOL News is a joke. Bug bite remedy? Get real. If readers have serious reactions, they ought to be under a doctor's supervision, and like me probably have an Epi-pen and Benedryl cream handy. . If not, before you go outside, take a shower, avoid perfumes, body sprays or scented antipersperant. In heavy swarms of mosqitoes, if you are not using DEET, you are a yummy snack for mosquitoes. I have horrible allergies, so I am an expert on what to do about itching. Run cold water over the bite when itching is at its worst. If buying something makes you feel like you are taking care of yourself, buy the cold water out of a vending machine. Seriously, if you are going to take anyone's
Jaimeboy4NSTY 05:12:57 AM Aug 03 2009
Hold a pinch of chewing tobacco against a bite can bring relief too. Before you whine and poo poo it remember. How many cowboys have fresh lemon or vinegar or carry a can of OFF or skin so soft for that matter? Still dont like it? Fine you can itch and Bit** I will have relief have fun!
Jssitzes 04:23:42 AM Aug 03 2009
Actually, MOST mosquito bites itch for an hour, maybe two or three at most.Which is why getting your news from AOL could result in damage lasting much, much longer than a mosquito bite.
