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Treating Mosquito Bites

Mosquito Day: recommended alternative remedies for itchy bites

When summer arrives, so do the mosquitoes and the unbearable itching of their bites, and all we want to do is scratch them. In honor of "Mosquito Day," we have gathered ten alternative remedies for relieving the pain and irritation of mosquito bites.

Mosquito, illustration

On August 20, 1897, British physician Ronald Ross discovered a connection between malaria and mosquitoes. As a result of this discovery, "Mosquito Day" is celebrated on this date. If you can't stop scratching due to mosquito bites, here are a few alternative remedies that will help alleviate the pain.

Honey

Every alternative remedy, for any illness in the world, will include honey because it possesses numerous medicinal properties. It reduces inflammation and contains antibacterial compounds, which is why applying a little honey to the mosquito bite will help soothe the area.

Ice

The cold of an ice cube assists in alleviating pain and itching, as it numbs the nerves in the bitten area. The opposite approach, heat, can also help, but the issue with this solution is that once you remove the heat source from the bite, the irritation will return shortly, unlike ice whose soothing effect lasts longer.

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Vinegar

Vinegar, like ice, can also help alleviate skin irritation due to its high acidity. You can add a bit of vinegar to your bath or soak a cotton ball in vinegar and apply it to the bite.

Lemon

Lemon also contains components that will help soothe irritation and eliminate bacteria on the affected skin. Even lemon peel contains substances that can assist in treating the bite. Just be cautious not to expose your skin to the sun after applying lemon, as the combination of the two can cause irritation and phototoxicity on the skin.

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Banana peel

An article about alternative remedies must include peculiar solutions, but people have admitted that when they placed a banana peel on the bitten area, it helped soothe the irritation.

Tea bag

Just as they help with eye inflammation, wet tea bags also assist in reducing the swelling of the bite. They absorb the fluids from the bite and alleviate the pain.

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Baking soda

A light mixture of baking soda and water will create a sort of paste that you can apply to the bite. Baking soda balances the skin's pH levels and aids in treating inflammation. You can also add it to a warm bath and soak in the water for half an hour.

Mint

Peppermint and mint leaves can help alleviate the pain: Crush peppermint or mint leaves and place them on the bite area. Similar to ice, they create a cooling effect that soothes the skin. Some even suggest applying mint-flavored toothpaste to the bite for relief.

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Basil

Just like with mint leaves, you can also crush and rub basil leaves onto the mosquito bites. Basil contains compounds and components that help alleviate the irritation.

Small Pats

Scratching the mosquito bite is not recommended, as it increases the irritation and may even lead to infections and inflammation. Instead, lightly pat or gently press the bite every so often. The human brain is indeed clever, but it can process only one sensation at a given moment, so minor sensations divert its attention from the irritation of the bite.
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