The Right (and Wrong) Way to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites
Get caught without your bug spray just once and the inevitable happens: red, angry, itchy mosquito bites that take nearly superhuman willpower to avoid scratching. So what's a bug-bitten victim to do? Use the right methods that really work - no witch hazel or apple cider vinegar, please! - and sweet, sweet relief is within sight.
Why do mosquito bites itch so badly?
The urge to scratch those big, red bumps actually stems from an allergic reaction to the mosquito's saliva, according to Dr. Rajani Katta, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Bellaire, Texas.
"The reaction is caused by salivary proteins introduced when adult female mosquitoes penetrate the skin," she says. Only the females feed on your blood so they can produce eggs (thanks a lot, ladies). When one bites you, it also injects a little bit of saliva into the skin, triggering your immune system to respond.
Some people can have a more severe reaction to those proteins than others, explaining why an innocent outdoor BBQ may leave you covered in nasty red mosquito welts - yet your husband has just a few small dots.
What is the best treatment for mosquito bites?
The number one weapon at your disposal is likely already in your medicine cabinet: "I usually go straight to 1% hydrocortisone cream used twice a day," Dr. Katta says. "That has the benefit of calming both the inflammation - helping reduce the redness and the swelling - and the itching."
Avoid using it on your face for more than a month, though. "Steroids cause thinning of the skin," she explains, "so it makes you more susceptible to cuts and bruises, especially in fragile areas like your eyelids."
If you're out of Cortizone-10, applying calamine lotion or a paste made of baking soda and water can help, according to the Mayo Clinic. A cold compress or cool, moist cloth may also soothe angry bites.
You'll want to skip common home remedies like witch hazel, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, however. These popular "cures" can actually do more harm than good. "All three of those can irritate the skin, so they might increase inflammation and redness," explains Katta.
What helps mosquito bites stop itching fast?
To get some relief ASAP, try tapping the irksome bumps. "There's a particular nerve fiber that carries the message of itching to the brain, but you can distract it tapping or applying pressure," Dr. Katta says.
Whatever you do, resist the urge to scratch. Open sores put you at a higher risk of infection, and could lead to long-lasting hyperpigmentation or worse, scarring.
How do you keep mosquitoes from biting you?
Beat bugs before they bite by applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants. The Good Housekeeping Institute likes Sawyer Products Controlled-Release Insect Repellent Lotion, which protects against mosquitoes for up to 11 hours. Allethrin lamps and geraniol candles can also help de-bug the backyard.
Since mosquitoes can transmit disease, these extra precautions will help protect you from both uncomfortable itchiness and potential illnesses like Zika or West Nile virus.
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