What Can Help Relieve Mosquito Bites?
Nothing is more annoying than the itch and irritation of mosquito bites. Their bite can bring on days of itching, inflammation, and pain for such tiny insects. Mosquito bite symptoms include:
- Itching and redness around the bite's edge.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes.
- Pain and inflammation.
If you are sensitive to the saliva of mosquitos, what might be a small bite to most people can turn into a significant welt for you that lasts for days. Add to this the itchiness of the bites, and - scratching the affected area for momentary relief can cause skin damage and lead to infections.
How to Help Relieve Mosquito Bites
There are a few things you can do to help relieve these symptoms. One is to ice the bite to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Another is to take an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, to reduce the itching. If you have a prescription for a topical steroid cream, that will also work to reduce the itch and inflammation. Be sure to follow the directions on the package for how long you can safely use the cream or ointment.
If you try and apply ice to your mosquito bite, be sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth before applying it to your skin to avoid further irritation. Apply the ice for about 15 minutes, then remove it and let the skin breathe for at least 15 minutes before applying more ice. Repeat as necessary. Ideally, it would be best to use a cold compress instead of ice cubes wrapped in a towel. – This will help reduce swelling and inflammation more effectively than ice and is less likely to irritate sensitive skin further.
Topical creams, ointments, and lotions can help with the itchiness of milder reactions to mosquito bites. Calamine lotion is a good choice, as it helps to soothe the skin. Another great option to help relieve mosquito bites is the use of plant-based ingredients. To avoid prescriptions or products high in chemicals, look for products that contain plant-based ingredients like menthol, camphor, and clove leaf oil. Our Buzz Away Sting Soothe® offers these ingredients and more to make for a great plant-based mosquito bite relief product.
Before icing your bite or applying a cream, first gently wash the affected area with soap and water. Applying ice or a cold pack to the affected area often relieves the symptoms after mosquito bites. Ice doesn’t stay cold forever, and you can’t hold it to the area for your entire day, so try a topical cream, spray, or ointment to reduce itching. There are several different creams and ointments available over the counter that can help to relieve the itch and irritation. Be sure to choose one made specifically for mosquito bites like Buzz-Away Sting-Soothe because it works to alleviate both the pain and itchiness.
One bout of mosquito misery is usually all it takes to utilize a premium bug repellent for the next outdoor adventure. Prevention is always better than a cure, especially when sidestepping an inflamed mosquito bite's inflammation, itching, and burning pain. There are many fun outdoor activities, but mosquitoes can often put a damper on things. Repellents are an easy and effective way to protect yourself from bites and the diseases mosquitos may be carrying.
One great product to protect you from annoying bites is Buzz-Away Extreme Spray. The spray is DEET-free, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin. It comes in a compact and portable bottle that's easy to carry around on outdoor adventures, amusement parks, backyard parties, and open-air concerts. Also, consider Buzz-Away Extreme Towelettes for excellent protection from mosquito bites for young children or adults who dislike sprays.
