Mosquito bites cause some of the deadliest diseases than any other organism. According to The American Mosquito Control Association, over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year.
Mosquitoes seek they’re for their hosts as the sun sets in, and to avoid contact with these tiny yet dreadful insects, many people keep their windows and doors shut during the evening. However, for how long, is it possible to keep a check? Mosquito repellants, too, sometimes fail to prevent mosquitoes from breeding on the human skin.
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According to the World Health Organisation, mosquitoes carry and spread the disease to humans causes millions of deaths. In 2015, malaria alone caused 4,38,000 deaths. The worldwide incidence of dengue has also risen 30-fold in the past 30 years.
Therefore, a mosquito bite is not something to ignore and an immediate remedy is essential to prevent yourself from any severe health condition.
Here is a list of top 7 home remedies that are essential in the case of mosquito bites and are relevant enough to give you relief.
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
- Cold Green Tea Bags
- Fresh Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Baking Soda Paste
- Oatmeal
- Basil
1. Cold Green Tea Bags
Green tea is one of the ‘most-liked’ beverages for many, and it is revealed that it also has the potential to treat mosquito bites naturally.
This healthy drink has a group of compounds called ‘tannins’ in it that has astringent properties. The astringent in the tea bag helps to draw out toxins from the body, thereby, reducing inflammation and itchiness. This home remedy helps to reduce the discomfort caused due to the awful mosquito bites.
- Take a tea bag and dunk it into the cold water.
- Gently squeeze it to release the water
- Apply the tea bag in the affected area for a few minutes
To get quick relief from the effects of a mosquito bite, you need to repeat the process for 8-10 times a day.
2. Fresh Aloe Vera
Known as a ‘wonder plant,’ an aloe vera plant has a plethora of benefits. Besides being useful in treating many skin problems, including sunburn and acne, aloe vera also helps in treating mosquito bites naturally. Thus, it is one of the best home remedies for mosquito bites(1).
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing itchiness and redness caused due to the mosquito bite. Its cool effect also helps in reducing the discomfort.
Using aloe vera for home remedy is easy provided you have an aloe vera plant at home. If not, you can easily get it in the local market.
To use aloe vera for naturally treating mosquito bites, you need to cut open the plant gently from the middle and apply the gel on the bitten part. You can also refrigerate the gel for a few minutes and apply it cold for immediate relief.
Aloe vera gel is a great home remedy, and you may apply aloe vera gel for two-three times a day to get relief.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil(2) has become one of the most sought for superfoods in recent years. Due to the presence of high nutrients, coconut oil has been widely accepted as a home remedy to treat various health conditions.
Coconut oil is also used for mosquito bites to reduce the ill-effects. There are various fatty acids like lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid present in coconut oil that help treat the mosquito bites without any difficulty. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also help in reducing the awful discomfort caused to the mosquito bite.
You can apply natural coconut oil directly on the affected part to help ease the itchiness and swelling.
To treat the mosquito bite naturally at home, you can apply coconut oil on the bite for three-four times a day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the best disinfectants and is widely used in home remedies. For mosquito bites too, apple cider vinegar has a lot of remedial advantages.
Applying apple cider vinegar to the bitten area will help to reduce the stinging pain and itchiness due to the presence of acid in it. It helps in neutralizing the pH level of the skin.
- Take apple cider vinegar in a bowl and water and mix it half-half.
- Now keep in hand a dab of cotton and dunk it into the vinegar-water mix
- Squeeze it to take out the extra water
- Apply it on the affected area
To subside the swelling and itchiness, you may repeat the process for around five-six times a day.
5. Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda for mosquito bites is also one of the great options to treat naturally.
The alkalinity of baking soda helps neutralize the pH level of the infected area and reduces itching from the bite. It is one of the best home remedies to treat mosquito bites without any hassle.
- Take a spoonful of baking soda in a plate
- Add a few drops of water to make it a thick paste
- Apply it on the infected area
You have to apply the baking soda paste for a maximum of 10 minutes and wash it later.
6. Oatmeal
Sometimes we get the best remedies in what we eat, and Oatmeal is the best example for it. You can use oatmeal for treating mosquito bites due to the presence of compounds in it.
The compound in oatmeal has anti-irritant properties that help to relieve itching and inflammation caused after a mosquito bite.
Take half bowl oatmeal and mix it with an equal amount of water to form a paste.
Apply it to the affected area for around 10 minutes, and you can witness the discomfort subsiding.
7. Basil
Basil leaves are an excellent source of various nutrients including, Vitamin K, and manganese and its anti-inflammatory properties help in getting relief from various health problems. For treating mosquito bites too, Basil is a go-to option.
The chemical compound eugenol present in basil helps in relieving the itchy skin.
To treat mosquito bites through basil leaves, you need to boil two cups of water and add basil leaves to it
- Let the water cool and then dip a washcloth into the liquid
- Rub it gently on the bite to get relieved
- You can also rub the basil leaves gently on the affected area of your skin.
You can use the remedy for three-four times a day to subside the swelling, redness, and itchiness after a mosquito bite.
Even though a mosquito bite appears small, it is threatening and may even be hazardous. The rising cases of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika fever, and more have put an alarming situation across the globe.
To prevent such dreadful situations, one must follow the home remedies immediately after a bug bite. These are easy, and the products are readily available at home.
Besides, preventive action is the best approach to safety. Try to keep the skin covered in the evening when outside as most of the time mosquito bites take place in this hour. Try not to walk around waterlogged areas as mosquitoes breed there. Also, there must not be any water logging in your house.
You can also light camphor or use lavender or peppermint oil in the aroma diffuser in your home to keep mosquitoes at bay.
FAQs
1. Can We Take an Oatmeal Bath to Get a Cure from Mosquito Bites?
Ans: Yes, you can take an oatmeal bath to get rid of redness and itching caused due to mosquito bites. You can sprinkle a cup of oatmeal in a bathtub full of warm water. Keep it soak for 20 minutes and then take a bath.
2. Is Aloe Vera Gel Available in the Market Effective in Treating Mosquito Bites?
Ans: Aloe vera is rich in vitamins and minerals that help in reducing the swelling and irritation caused due to mosquito bites. The aloe vera gel also helps in the bite heal faster, and you can use either fresh aloe vera gel or aloe vera gel available in the market.
3. Can We Use Black Tea Bags as a Home Remedy to Treat Mosquito Bites?
Ans: Yes, you can use a black tea bag to treat mosquito bite at home, provided the tea bag is cold. The tannins in the tea bag help to reduce the swelling caused due to the mosquito bite; hence is an essential home remedy for it.