Mosquito Bites: how to stop them from itching

When worst come to worst, and the bloodthirsty mosquitoes have partied on your skin...

Be patient. Before doing any of this- remember, no matter what you do, the itch will not fully go away until the scab or sore has healed.

Thorough washing

1. Go inside and thoroughly wash the affected area with rubbing alcohol before anything else.
2. Pat dry (rub it).

Scotch tape

1. Put a piece of Scotch tape (or similar) onto the bite. Leaving it there will make the itch almost entirely go away.
2. After a few hours, remove it. This will help remove some of the toxins that cause the itch.

Bath

Take a nice, relaxing hot bath.

Fingernail

1. Use your fingernail to press "sunbursts" around the mosquito bite. This is a good method if the mosquito bite has popped.
2. Use your fingernail to press an "X" into the bite. This disperses the protein and stops the itch for a while.

Scalding

1. Dip a wash cloth into scalding hot water, but not so hot that it burns your skin.
2. Press the wet part of the cloth against the bite.
3. Hold it there until you feel the bite tingle.
4. Repeat once or twice. Your nerves will be confused and the itching will vanish for hours. The heat causes all the histamine (the protein used by the body to initiate immune responses, which include irritation and itching) in the skin surrounding the bite to be released at once.

Fluids and creams

Rub any of the following fluids and creams on it:

• Baking soda and water paste
• Lemon or lime. Cut into pieces and rub gently on the affected area, or just squirt a bit juice on it
• Nail polish. Preferably clear and be sure that the bite is not raw from scratching
• White or apple cider vinegar. Make sure it is not an open wound. Brush the vinegar on with your finger
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antihistamine and water. Rub a little onto the bite and cover with a band aid
• Vicks Vaporub. Keep applying Vicks to the area, especially if it rubs off
• Aloe Vera
• Saliva
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste

Oils

• Melaleuca oil (also known as tea tree oil)
• Lavender oil
• Oil and vinegar

Water

Rub on with a cotton ball or q-tip.

• Ice or cold water
• Saltwater

Soap

• Bar soap pieces

Other

• Oatmeal
• Mud
• Banana peel. Rub it against the affected area.
• Common Plantain. Either roll leaves of common plantain between fingers to extract juice, or chew on common plantain leaves a little bit, then rub the juicy leaf over mosquito bite. The itch goes away in less than a minute.
• Put a bit of white vinegar on a tissue and press on the bite.

Spittle

Dab some spit onto your finger and rub it onto the bite. Then blow. This will cool the bite an stop the itching.

Calamine lotion

Put calamine lotion on it, then put a band aid or tape over it.

Rubber band

Take a rubber band and give yourself a "spider bite", or put two fingers in the rubber band, put the fingers on either side of the bite, pull the rubber band back and snap it on the bite. This will numb the nerves so it doesn't itch.(Not permanently!)

Ink

Draw a circle around the bite with a ballpoint pen. Sounds crazy, but it works.

Remember

1. It will eventually stop itching.
2. Dry skin may make you itch more, so, applying some protection lotion could help too.
3. See your pharmacist, who can help offer advice on the use of antihistamine.

Warnings

1. Do not pick the heads off of the bites as they will get infected.
2. If you feel you must scratch, try patting or (if it really itches,) slapping the area nstead. Dermatologists will verify that patting or slapping stimulates the same nerves without damaging the skin.
3. Whatever you do, don't scratch or rub your bites. This will make the itching worse

Good luck!

CNGVGSDBEGAH