Mosquito bites are a fact of life in summer, but you don’t have to suffer from post-bite itching. Try these effective natural remedies for mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes seem to be out in force this summer. We have been getting swarmed when we play outside, and I feel like my two-year-old is getting the worst of it. He comes in with his arms and legs covered in bites, and at night he sometimes scratches until he bleeds.
Some folks hardly react to mosquito bites at all, but others are very sensitive. If your mosquito bites turn into giant, itchy red spots, you know how hard resisting the urge to scratch can be. Here are a few natural ways to stop the itch while your body heals.
Toothpaste
This is my favorite, tried-and-true mosquito bite remedy. When my son gets a lot of bites, I slather him in toothpaste before bed. Once we rub the toothpaste onto the red spots, he stops scratching. The menthol and baking soda found in most toothpastes can be cooling and anti-inflammatory.
Make an X
I grew up in South Florida, where we used to joke that mosquitoes were the state bird. This is a trick that my little sister learned in summer camp there. Use your fingernail to press an X into the bite. You don’t have to press very hard— just hard enough to create a dent in the skin that stays. This is a short-term solution, though. As soon as the X fades, the itching comes back. Think of this as a way to quell an itch until you can get to a better, natural mosquito bite remedy.
Aloe
Soothing aloe vera helps relieve the itch. I also like aloe because, unlike toothpaste, it’s clear. That means that if it rubs off, you’re not leaving white residue on the sheets, your clothing, or the sofa. Just rub it liberally into a bite, and the itch should subside right away.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel prevents swelling and soothes an itchy red bite. Use a rag or cotton ball to apply witch hazel. Witch hazel is also mildly antiseptic, so it can help keep your bites from getting infected.
Ice
Ice’s numbing power dulls the itch.
Tea Tree Oil
Like witch hazel, tea tree is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. You can add a few drops of tea tree to your bottle of witch hazel or combine it with a carrier oil like olive or sweet almond oil. You don’t want to apply tea tree oil directly to your skin, because undiluted it can cause a rash. If you’re covered in mosquito bites you have enough problems already.
Of course, the best natural remedy for mosquito bites is to not get bitten in the first place.