Mosquito bites get red, swollen and itchy due to small amounts of saliva mosquitoes transfer to the bite as the mosquito ingests your blood.
Below are 9 ways you can soothe an itchy mosquito bite and reduce swelling
1. USE SOAP AND WATER
Washing the affected area with water removes any trace of the mosquito saliva that causes itching. Rubbing a soap which contains oatmeal or aloe on the bite reduces the urge to scratch.
2. APPLY HEAT
Heat a spoon in hot water and press the back of the spoon slowly on the affected area to apply heat. Applying heat to the affected area denatures the proteins from the mosquito’s saliva thereby preventing it from spreading inflammation to other areas.
3. DAB A BIT OF TOOTHPASTE ON THE BITE
Dabbing a bit of toothpaste on the affected area helps soothe the itchy due to the glycerin in toothpaste. Avoid whitening paste which contains hydrogen peroxide because it can irritate a bite.
4. USE AN ICE PACK
Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel. Place the ice pack on the affected area for 15-20 minutes. The cold from the ice pack will reduce the swelling and numb the nerves.
5. DAB WITH WHITE VINEGAR
You can also stop the itching by dabbing a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on the affected area. This stops the itching while also disinfecting the affected area so the bite heals faster.
6. APPLY ALOE VERA TO THE BITE
Applying aloe vera to the affected area helps soothe the itchy. Smear a 100% aloe vera gel on the bite and rub it in.
7. APPLY LEMON OR LIME JUICE
Lemon or lime juice can be used due to their acidity. Use a cotton ball to apply the lemon or lime juice directly onto the bite. This will help it heal quickly.
8. USE HONEY
Honey has anti-inflammatory properties. Smear a dab of honey onto the affected area.
9. USE A BAKING SODA PASTE
Using a baking soda paste would reduce swelling because sodium bicarbonate is an anti-inflammatory. Mix three parts baking soda and one part water, and apply to the affected area.
S.O.Z