Taking the Itch Out of a Mosquito Bite
Grass grows, cats purr, and mosquitoes bite. We all hate it when mosquitoes treat us to an opera of high-pitched buzz. But what’s more annoying, is the aftermath of a mosquito bite. People react differently to the bites. Most people develop a small itchy swollen bump around the bite region while others may feel nothing at all. In severe cases, a person may develop difficulty in breathing or hives. While the ultimate solution to dealing with the itchy and disease-causing bite is to have GL pest control reclaim your outdoor and indoor spaces, these are some short-term remedies for mosquito bites.
Canada is no stranger to mosquito crisis, especially during the warm season. The location provides the perfect environment for mosquitoes to thrive. It’s no wonder there is an entire insect control unit set up to aid the public in handling the mosquito menace. When a mosquito sucks your blood, it also injects its saliva into your body. The saliva contains proteins and anticoagulants. Our bodies’ defense mechanism treats these proteins as foreign elements and try to remedy it by releasing histamine. Histamine serves the role of transporting white blood cells to the bite region. It unfortunately also causes inflammation and itch.
Just as there are many ways to kill a rat, there are tons of ways to take the itch out of a mosquito bite. For starters, you may use over-the-counter antihistamines. Antihistamines counter the itchiness of a mosquito bite by lowering the levels of histamine count in your body. They are available in most local pharmacies in ointment and tablet form. Corticosteroid creams provide fast relief from skin irritations, including mosquito bites. Most doctors recommend it due to its moisturizing effects, which reduce the chances of skin break. However, be careful not to use it for extended periods as it may cause skin thinning, acne or excessive hair growth.
Another way of getting the itch out of mosquito bites is by applying over the counter ointments containing benzocaine or lidocaine. Both substances have a numbing effect in inflamed and itchy skin. Alternatively, you may clean the inflamed region with rubbing alcohol. Simply soak a piece of cotton wool in the alcohol and wipe the affected area. It has a cooling effect on inflamed skin that works almost immediately for mosquito bites. You may use alcohol prep pads as an alternative to rubbing alcohol.
Oatmeal baths have in the past been recommended for severe skin irritation such as those from chicken pox and insect bites. Taking a full oatmeal bath is not necessary. Instead, make a masking paste by mixing colloidal oatmeal with a little water and apply it on the affected area. Leave it for 15 minutes then wash it off.
You may also try some inexpensive home remedies to take the itch out of a bite. For instance, a cold tea bag can quickly relieve the itchiness. Black and green tea has anti-inflammatory effects that cool down the swollen region. Simply soak a bag of green or black tea, then put it in your refrigerator to cool. Once cold enough, place the cold tea bag on the affected area. Works like a charm.
Honey can also offer fast relief on a mosquito bite. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties known to aid open wounds. Applying just a small amount will do the trick. However, ensure you don’t go outdoors after applying honey as mosquitoes are attracted to sugar from the honey.
Legends tell stories of people using garlic to sheer off vampires. While these may just be tales with no credibility, garlic is known to offer fast relief to skin irritation. However, never use raw garlic directly on your skin as it may worsen the irritation. Instead, mix minced garlic with a little coconut oil then apply the paste on the affected region. The irritation should disappear within a couple of minutes.
Aloe vera is a natural antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties. You can cut the leaves of an aloe vera plant and apply the sticky substance directly on inflamed skin. Its cooling effect will get rid of the itchiness in no time. Onions too, can provide fast relief from mosquito bites. Cut a fresh onion bulb and squeeze the juice directly to the itchy area. The juices have antifungal properties that counter the histamine in the bite area.
