Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

A mosquito bite is an insect bite, usually from the family Culicidae. Mosquitoes are small insects that feed on animal and human blood. They can spread diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and West Nile virus, in addition to causing many other illnesses such as the Zika virus, which has been linked with microcephaly cases in Brazil.

Top-5-Home-Remedies-for-Mosquito-Bites

Mosquito bites are unpleasant, but they are unavoidable as summer approaches, particularly in locations with stagnant water and swampy conditions. The basic but continual itch is inconvenient enough, but there has been a worry, and rightly so, about the far more severe problems that mosquito bites may cause.

If only methods to prevent these pests and illnesses carried by mosquitos, such as the Zika virus and mosquito bite home treatments, worked swiftly and successfully.

I have some good news for you: there are multiple home cures for mosquito bites, as well as several techniques to prevent being bitten in the first place. Take, for example, my Homemade Bug Spray, which works well against all types of pests, including mosquitos.

However, a high-quality, natural insect spray isn’t your only choice. Check out my top five mosquito home cures, as well as some advice on how to prevent being bitten in the first place.


Top 5 Mosquito Bite Home Remedies

Did you know that there are over 3,000 different varieties of mosquitos globally, with approximately 200 of them living in the United States? True, and this might explain why mosquitoes have long been seen as a menace, with a reputation for inflicting some fairly unpleasant bites.

Here are some natural, safe, and extremely efficient home cures for mosquito bites if you do get bitten.

1. Witch Hazel

You may have heard of witch hazel for skin imperfections. Still, it’s not only for acne – it may also assist with the discomfort, itching, and swelling that typically accompany insect bites, including mosquito bites. In addition, witch hazel may also aid in the speeding up of the healing process.

What is the mechanism of action of witch hazel? It functions as an astringent because it contains tannin, a natural substance. This tannin may help mend irritated skin tissue while reducing edema and preventing germs. It may be applied to the skin directly. It works well when mixed with baking soda to make a paste, which can then be applied to insect bites.

2. Tea Bags with White Tea and Chamomile

You’ve probably heard of the ancient treatment of placing a teabag on a bee sting. It is, after all, a real natural cure, not just for bee stings but also for mosquito bites. It works because white tea’s components aid in relieving inflammation. A used, cooled tea bag may be used directly on the bite as a poultice. Not only can it aid with inflammation, but the tea bag’s cooling may also help with itch relief.

White tea and chamomile tea are well-known topical remedies for various skin problems. The tea’s antibacterial, antioxidant, and polyphenolic components include apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, making it an ideal and fairly pleasant quick cure for mosquito bites.

3. The Use of Essential Oils

The benefits of plant oils against mosquito bites were investigated in a 2016 research published in the American Mosquito Control Association Journal. Citrus aurantifolia (leaves), Citrus grandis (fruit peel), and Alpinia galanga (rhizome) oils were combined to make a lotion that was compared to commercial repellents. The essential oil-based lotions provided 90 percent protection against mosquito bites for four hours.

Another research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the usage of oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and is on the list of insect repellants. In addition, several scientific publications have shown that the oil of lemon eucalyptus can provide protection similar to low concentrations of the common insect repellant ingredient DEET. However, the oil of lemon eucalyptus has not been tested internationally or with malaria-carrying mosquitoes, so use caution when traveling.

Peppermint oil, ylang-ylang, and lemongrass essential oil are some essential oil possibilities that mosquitoes appear to avoid. So before heading outdoors for activities, mix a few drops of your favorite with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, and spread over the skin.

4. Neem Juice

Another alternative worth considering is neem oil. According to a research published in the Journal of Insect Science by the Department of Entomology and Wildlife at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, 95 percent of mosquito larvae perished within a day of being exposed to powdered neem leaf. On the other hand, the aqueous leaf extract took significantly longer to have a favorable impact.

While neem oil may help eliminate mosquitos, it can also be used to treat fungal infections like eczema. So it stands to reason that if it can assist with fungus, it can also help battle the effects of mosquito bites and prevent illness from over scratching.

5. Oatmeal Colloidal Bath

Have you thought of taking a relaxing oatmeal bath? This age-old cure is still regarded as an effective technique to relieve the irritation and swelling produced by mosquito bites. In addition, because of its capacity to cure inflammatory skin disorders, it’s typically used in bath soaps, shampoos, shaving gels, and moisturizing creams.

Because it contains emollients, which help to relieve itching, colloidal oatmeal is used as a moisturizer for itchy skin. For millennia, oats have been used to treat various skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and eczema. Avenanthramides, which are potent antioxidants, are found in oats. The primary polyphenolic antioxidants that have been demonstrated to alleviate inflammation and itching that causes scratching are avenanthramides. It also helps the skin feel velvety smooth.

The good news is that you may produce your own cure in the comfort of your own home. Simply crush gluten-free oats to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or similar device. Then, toss it into your bath with a few drops of chamomile and soak for 15 minutes once or twice a day.


What You Can Do to Stay Away from Mosquito Bites

According to research, mosquitoes are known to transmit parasites and illnesses such as malaria, filariasis, and viruses such as West Nile and Zika. Because we still don’t have a reliable therapy for these potentially fatal situations, the best course of action is to prevent mosquito bites entirely.

For example, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania have been affected far harder than others, and studies have found that “local residents of the African study regions typically employ 64 plant species belonging to 30 families” to help avoid mosquito bites. The most popular plants employed in such locations are citrus, eucalyptus, lantana camara, and lippia javanica.

People utilize them in three ways: one is by burning the plants and allowing the smoke to act as a repellant — this is probably where citronella torches and candles originated from. Another option is to hang plants inside the house or scatter leaves about. Finally, essential oils are administered to the body directly. While more research is needed, the African continent has taught us a great deal.

While the home mentioned above remedies for mosquito bites help treat those irritating annoyances, there are a few things you can do to prevent being bitten in the first place.

1. Make sure there’s no standing water around your house

Take a look around your house. Examine the pool, water drains, buckets, tires, and anything else that may store water, and either remove the water or dispose of the unwanted objects. If any water remains stagnant for four to seven days, mosquitoes have a good chance of multiplying. Therefore, to assist in lessening the chance of a mosquito infestation, you should get rid of any standing water.

Look around for water-collecting flowerpots, garbage cans, and buckets. Take some time to clean up your gutters. If you have a birdbath, be sure to replace the water once a week. It’s also crucial to clean sump pump pits regularly and to avoid letting those delightful, small plastic swimming pools remain in the water for days at a time. If your pool cover accumulates water, get rid of it as quickly as possible. Also, maintain your pools and hot tubs clean at all times.

Drill holes in the bottoms of your recycling bins if you store them outdoors so that water can drain out when it rains. Suppose you have any big spots around the lawn that are gathering water. In that case, you may engage a professional landscape architect to assist you in figuring out the best methods to get rid of the water accumulation. Maintain a well-kept lawn. Mosquitos love to hang out among tall grass and weeds! According to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District in California, Mosquito fish should be stocked in any attractive ponds. Check with your local agency to see if they supply them for free.

2. If you must go outside after sunset, wear a cover-up

Mosquitoes are most active in the evenings and early mornings. To minimize irritating bites, schedule your outside activities at alternate times.

Wear long sleeves and pants if you must be outside. Because mosquitoes can bite through certain garments, it’s better to make sure they’re thick enough. To assist in repelling these troublesome insects, you could choose to spray your clothes with a natural repellent. It’s also a good idea to stay away from bright apparel and fragrances since they tend to attract mosquitos.

3. Take Precautions to Avoid Mosquito Bites While Traveling

You must consider your travel options carefully. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a lot of good material on their website, especially on Zika. Mosquito bites may put you in danger for infections like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya, which are all quite deadly.

It’s much more important if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Make sure you do your homework about the places you want to visit before you go. Make sure you know what you can do to avoid mosquito bites both before you go and while you’re there. Of course, you won’t be able to bring any liquids with you, but you should be able to bring tiny bottles of essential oils and an empty spray container so you may make a mix once you get to your location. Otherwise, you can end up with some toxic substances, which can be harmful to anybody, particularly pregnant or breastfeeding women.

4. Eat a Balanced Diet

It’s possible that your diet might help you prevent mosquito bites. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is significantly more effective than a processed, sugary diet in keeping those blood-sucking bugs at bay. Raw garlic has long been recommended, but studies show that a topical mix of garlic and beeswax may be even more helpful.

Avoiding beer drinking may also be beneficial. According to studies, those who drink beer get more mosquito bites than those who don’t. Onions and bananas may also help to relieve itching. To get relief, apply the inside of a banana peel or a slice of onion straight against the bite. In addition, garlic and onions are found in most spicy dishes, so they may also assist.


What To Do If You Have An Allergic Reaction

Mosquitos may transmit illnesses in addition to the irritating itch they cause, and mosquito bites can cause allergic responses in certain individuals. A bite usually causes a red, swollen lump with an irritating itch that may appear within hours and last a few days, but if someone is sensitive, it can also produce blistering-type lesions, hives, fever, and swelling in the joints.

That’s not all, however. It may also trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that manifests as a swollen throat, hives, faintness, or wheezing. Though mosquitos seldom cause this response, it may sometimes occur and need medical intervention. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, get medical attention right once. Elevate the region, use ice to minimize swelling, and treat blisters with soap water — but do so carefully to avoid breaking the blister, which may lead to infection.


A Brief History of the Mosquito

Let’s get to know mosquitos a bit better. Mosquitoes need water to survive. They don’t grow up or go through their life cycles in grass or shrubs, although the adults do spend a lot of time there throughout the day. The female is the one that bites us since she is attracted to people, animals, and birds, and she only lives for three weeks throughout the summer. She may even survive the winter for a few months to deposit her eggs in the spring. The male is a little nicer to us since he just wants to drink plant juices.

Mosquitos like tall grasses and weeds around houses and other structures because they enjoy stagnant, standing water, which may be found in buckets, birdbaths, rain gutters, sewage seepage, and other water-holding materials. Keeping everything that may contain water clean and free of rainfall and other debris can significantly impact.


Precautions

Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women who are trying to conceive should avoid traveling to areas where the Zika virus is present. Here’s where you can learn more. It’s also vital to remember that a male sexual partner may carry the Zika virus.


Final Thoughts

  • Mosquitoes come in various shapes and sizes, with approximately 200 species found in the United States.
  • Mosquitoes are vectors for parasites and infections, including malaria, filariasis, and viruses like West Nile and Zika.
  • Witch hazel, white tea and chamomile tea bags, essential oils, neem oil, and colloidal oatmeal bath are five of my favorite home treatments for mosquito bites.
  • Activated charcoal, raw honey, aloe vera, baking soda, basil, and garlic are some alternative remedies for itching caused by mosquitoes and other insect bites.
  • To minimize mosquito bites, keep areas around your house clear of standing water, avoid going outdoors after dark, or at least cover yourself if you must, plan ahead for mosquito regions if traveling, and maintain a nutritious diet.

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The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

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