Home Remedies For Mosquito Bite By Dr. Siddharth Gupta

Introduction:

The majority of the insect bites that occur worldwide are mosquito bites. Although mosquito bites are non-threatening, they may transmit disease-causing pathogens and pose a severe threat. Mosquitoes are insects scientifically known as Anopheles, Aedes and Culex. Did you know the larger female mosquitos bite as they need blood and nourishment to produce eggs?¹ A mosquito bite can give you diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and zika. About 700 million people die every year because of diseases caused by mosquito bites.  

Prevention is better than cure is the motto to steer clear of these diseases. Simple and quick remedies at home may help relieve a mosquito bite. However, if you notice signs of infectious disease, you might need medical help.  

Continue reading to learn more about mosquito bites, their consequences and how to manage them with easy and natural home remedies.  

A red itchy bump that disappears on its own is common after a mosquito bite but some people may experience symptoms that are more severe and can include rash, large areas of excessive swelling, and even bruising, this is called Skeeter syndrome which needs medical management.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

What Causes Mosquito Bite:

The female mosquitoes are the ones that suck blood for nourishment. Mosquitoes possess a long mouthpart shaped like a tiny needle pierces your skin, sucks your blood and secretes saliva into your bloodstream.²   

Here are some risk factors that make you prone to mosquito bites, 

• Your body temperature  
• Your blood type 
• Perfume  
• Dark-coloured clothing 
• Being in the vicinity of stagnant water  
• Visiting a region prone to mosquito-borne diseases ²   

Symptoms of Mosquito Bite:

You may experience itching and swelling at the site of the bite if you are bitten by mosquitoes.², other signs include: 

• A puffy and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite  
• A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps appearing a day or so after the bite or bites  
• Small blisters instead of hard bumps  
• Dark spots that look like bruises 

More severe symptoms of a mosquito bite can be observed in: 

• Young children  
• People having immune system disorders  
• People who get bit by mosquitoes without any prior exposure³ 

More severe reactions seen may be: 

• Allergic reactions like hives, swollen throat and wheezing 
• Infection carried by the mosquito if you notice  
• Fever 
• Headache  
• Body pain 
• Rash  
• Nausea 
• Eye irritation  
• Fatigue ² 

Insect bite reactions can sometimes be severe and in bee bites some people can get severe reaction called anaphylaxis which should be treated by a doctor.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Home Remedies for Mosquito Bite:

Here are some natural ingredients that you may use to remedy mosquito bites. You can use these remedies at home to help with the pain, inflammation and itching of mosquito bites.  

1. Ice  

You may rub ice on a mosquito bite. It might help reduce blood flow to the area, decreasing inflammation. It may also help with the pain and itching. If you are using ice or an ice pack, make sure to wrap it in a light towel first and then apply it at the site of the mosquito bite to get relief.²  

2. Aloe vera  

Aloe vera gel is a common ingredient in several herbal remedies. The gel contains salicylic acid, an active component capable of reducing pain and itching. You may apply aloe vera gel directly onto the mosquito bite.²  

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a cold, damp cloth or an ice pack to relieve the itching caused by a mosquito bite. A bag of crushed ice can also work well in a pinch. Do not put ice directly on your skin, because it can cause damage.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

3. Honey  

Honey is an ingredient packed with many properties that may help relieve pain and itching. Honey is known to contain an enzyme called catalase, which may provide relief from inflammation. Apply honey directly to the mosquito bite. Make sure to use unprocessed honey.²  

4. Oatmeal  

Gluten present in oatmeal may help soothe mosquito bites. You can take some oatmeal and grind it into fine powder. To this powder, add some warm water to make a thick paste. You may apply this paste directly to the mosquito bite. Make sure to cover the bite completely. Keep it for some time and then wipe it off using a clean towel.²  

5. Chamomile tea  

Chamomile flowers are rich in chemicals like flavonoids and triterpenoids. These chemicals may show antioxidant and antihistamine properties. These properties may help reduce pain, inflammation and itchiness of the mosquito bite. You can take a chamomile tea bag and put it in water. Wait till the water turns golden brown. Take out the tea bag and squeeze it to remove excess water. The tea bag can be pressed directly against the mosquito bite for some time to get relief. You can remove the tea bag and wipe the bite with a clean towel.²   

6. Baking soda  

Baking soda may help you reduce the itchiness of the mosquito bite. To use baking soda, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with some water to make a smooth paste. You can apply this paste to the mosquito bite to get relief. Leave the paste for some time and wash it off with water.³  

7. Camphor  

Camphor is an effective remedy for a wide range of health concerns. It may reduce inflammation and itching of the mosquito bite. You may apply camphor oil directly on the mosquito bite to get quick relief from symptoms.⁴  

8. Thyme  

There is historical evidence showing the use of thyme for inflammatory skin conditions. In addition, thyme has been used for treating mosquito bites, although there is insufficient evidence to prove its efficacy.⁵ You may dilute thyme oil with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil.  

9. Serpent Root 

Serpent root is a medicinal herb known as Isvari in Hindi. There are many ways to use serpent root insect bites, such as mosquitoes. You may consume fresh juice of leaves of serpent root plant with some pepper powder to get relief. The leaves’ paste might be directly applied over the mosquito bite to relieve the symptoms.⁴  

If you encounter fever, nausea, vomiting, body ache within 2 weeks of seemingly related mosquito bites, contact your physician for an accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Measures to Take for Mosquito Bite Prevention:

• Avoid collection of water or cover any stagnant water  
• Avoid traveling to an area where mosquitoes are high in number 
• Wear thick clothes that cover your arms and legs 
• Use screens over windows and doors  
• Sleep under a protective net 
• Apply mosquito repellant chemicals on clothing and coverings 
• Stay indoors during dawn and dusk time (as mosquito activity is highest)² 

Though some studies show the benefits of the given herb and home remedies for mosquito bites, these are insufficient. There is a need for large scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken cautiously and never as a substitute for medical treatment.  

When to Seek Medical Help:

You need to seek medical help at the earliest if you experience any of the following: 

• Signs of allergic reactions  
• hives 
• swollen throat 
• faintness  
• wheezing² 
• Signs of an infectious disease carried by a mosquito 
• fever 
• headache 
• body aches 
• rashes 
• nausea 
• eye irritation  
• tiredness² 

You must not rely on home remedies alone for treating mosquito bites and should consult a qualified doctor for any advice for the condition if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies.   

Conclusion:

Mosquito bites though usually harmless, may spread disease-causing pathogens. You may experience swelling, itchiness, and pain at the site of the bite. However, you can use some common herbs and ingredients to remedy mosquito bites. Herbs like chamomile, aloe vera, and thyme may help you reduce the inflammation and itching of the mosquito bite. You can also apply honey, oatmeal, or ice packs on the mosquito bite to get relief. Wearing thick clothing and staying indoors when the mosquito activity is highest are some ways you can prevent getting bitten.  Sometimes, mosquitoes may spread infectious diseases. Therefore, if you experience signs of fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and body ache following a mosquito bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as it can signify a severe health condition.  

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies for Scabies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Seda J, Horrall S. Mosquito Bites. Veterinary Allergy [Internet]. 2021 Oct 28 [cited 2022 Jul 19];267–70. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539915/ 

2. Mosquito Bites: What They Look Like, Why They Itch & Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 19]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17695-mosquito-bites 

3. Basch E, Ulbricht C, Hammerness P, Bevins A, Sollars D. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Thymol. http://dx.doi.org/101080/J157v04n01_07 [Internet]. 2009 Jan [cited 2022 Jul 20];4(1):49–67. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/J157v04n01_07 

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