Save 51% OFF with code BLACKFRIDAY51
Save 51% OFF with code BLACKFRIDAY51
Understanding mozzie bites will help us treat them to the best of our ability. We know that mozzies are most active at dusk and dawn and frequent stagnant bodies of water (and these don’t need to be large bodies of water either!)
But what causes the itch? When a female mosquito bites, she not only sucks out your blood, but she secretes saliva back into it containing a mild painkiller and an anti-coagulant. Your body registers this as an allergen and sets to work trying to remove the allergen from your body by sending histamine to the bite area. It is the histamine that causes your mosquito bites to itch and swell.
Obvious suggestions such staying inside at mozzie witching hours
But we know that mozzie bites are unfortunately an inevitable part of growing up in Australia. So how can we help alleviate the itching from a mozzie bite after it has happened, or even later when we discover it and start to itch.
Cold temperatures slow the rate of inflammation. Applying an ice pack or a cold compress to the area as soon after a mozzie bite as possible will reduce inflammation, itching, and discomfort.
While it isn’t good for everyday use, baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties. Just add a few drops of water to some baking soda until you get a creamy consistency. Then, dab it on the bite to soothe the redness, itching and stinging. Many over-the-counter creams contain baking soda.
Helps to counteract the alkaline compounds in mosquito saliva, relieving itching and inflammation. To use white vinegar for mosquito bites, dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio. A bonus is that vinegar is a natural disinfectant, which can help prevent further damage to the skin if the wound has opened.
Has many properties that relieve itching and pain. Honey contains an enzyme called catalase, which provides relief for minor inflammation. Use unprocessed honey to lightly cover your mosquito bites.
Research suggests that tea tree oil might act as a natural antihistamine. Antihistamines reduce the activity of the body’s histamine receptors, may reduce swelling and itchiness.
One popular method is to run hot water over a metal spoon, then press the hot metal on the bite. The idea is the heat from the spoon alters the histamines in our skin which in turn stop the bite from itching.
You can use one of your favourite breakfast meals, oatmeal to relieve itching and swelling because it contains special compounds that have anti-irritant qualities. That’s right – an oatmeal bath with lukewarm, not hot, water can help alleviate itchy skin.
Tea’s anti-inflammatory effects may help with the swelling. Soak a bag of green or black tea and pop it in the fridge to cool it down. Apply the cold tea bag over the bite to ease the itchiness
A dab of toothpaste on the bite will act as an astringent, drawing itchy saliva/venom from the wound as it dries. Menthol in the toothpaste will also provide a “cooling” sensation that will occupy the nerves in the same way ice does, relieving discomfort.
An infected bite may appear red, feel warm, or a red streak may spread outward from the bite. See a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen.
Whilst we would like to stop mozzies from biting us in the first place, we know this isn’t always possible. So by using some simple items available from our home, or the Bug Bite Thing Suction device, we can prevent infection from brewing by stopping the scratching straight away.
If you have any other tried and tested home remedies to stop itching mozzie bites, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email sales@bugbitethingaus.com.au
Subscribe to our website for more useful updates, mum hacks and tips.
Share
Subscribe to our email list to stay up-to-date on all the latest news from Bug Bite Thing—including product launches, giveaways and deals!
