10 Home Cures for Mosquito Bite Itch By Sharon Tanenbaum

1 / 11   What to Do When the Bugs Bite 

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, mosquito bites seem to be an unavoidable evil. While bees and wasps inject venom when they sting, mosquitoes simply bite to feed on your blood. The bumps and itchiness that follow come from an anticoagulant that the mosquito injects to prevent your blood from clotting, which triggers a mild allergic reaction that includes the typical round, red bumps.

2 / 11   Cure the Bug-Bite Blues

For immediate relief, try an antihistamine cream or stick to help the itch and swelling. Don’t have any in stock? Hit the kitchen, and hold a refrigerated, dampened green tea bag on the bite, recommends skin and beauty expert Jessica Wu, MD. The cold helps soothe the itch and compounds in the tea help with inflammation.” Another option: Take a soak in a soothing oatmeal bath.

For more creative ways to cope with bug bites, we asked Everyday Health Facebook fans for their out-of-the-medicine cabinet ideas, then vetted them with Dr. Wu. Try one next time mosquitoes strike.

3 / 11   A Dab of Honey

“[I use] honey because it has an antiseptic ingredient.” — Atm Shahidul Hoque

Dr. Wu says: “Honey has an antibacterial ingredient, so theoretically it could help prevent a bite from getting infected. But the sweetness could attract more bites!”

4 / 11   Sticky Solution

“[I use] Scotch tape.” — Tammy Mah Ung

Dr. Wu says: “Putting Scotch tape (or a bandage) on the bite will help remind you not to scratch, especially at night. If you scratch too hard, you could break the skin and introduce an infection.”

5 / 11   Ever-Popular Aloe Vera

“Aloe vera will draw the sting out.” — Tonya Jenkins

Dr. Wu says: “Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, so this could help the itch. For even more relief, stash your aloe vera gel in the fridge, since the cold will also help with the itchiness.”

6 / 11   Try Preparation H

“Preparation H takes care of swelling and itching.” — Patricia McKinney

Dr. Wu says: “This topical treatment can help reduce inflammation and may help with itching.”

7 / 11   Alcohol, Witch Hazel, and Hand Sanitizer — Oh My!

“Rubbing alcohol takes the itch away and the bite, too.” — Lori Carley

“[I use] rubbing alcohol (and also witch hazel and tea tree oil). If it burns, I just tell my boys that the alcohol is killing the ‘bug poison!’” — Kit Bowden Powers

“Hand sanitizers work pretty well, and you don't need a lot.” — Robin Kirk Heizyk

Dr. Wu says: “Rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, and tea tree oil have antiseptic properties, so they could help prevent bites from getting infected. And their stinging sensation helps distract you from the itch. Hand sanitizers with alcohol will act in the same way.”

8 / 11   X Marks the Spot

“A good remedy of my grandma's was putting an X in the middle of the bite [with your fingernails]. It always seemed to work.” — Sherri Jeffries

Dr. Wu says: “Pressing down on a bite — and causing some pain — helps distract from the itching. But don’t press too hard, since breaking the skin could lead to infection.”

9 / 11   Soothing Basil

“I just learned that if I rub a basil leaf on my mosquito bites, it stops itching. I wish I had known this when my daughter was little because I am amazed how much this works.” — Debora Ann Miller

Dr. Wu says: “Basil has been shown to repel mosquitoes. It does have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help the swelling.”

10 / 11   Try an Aspirin Paste

“For stings, I use crushed aspirin mixed with a smidge of water to make a paste that I dab right on. It takes the sting right away.” — Kris Ruff Brock

Dr. Wu says: “Aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid, which is anti-inflammatory. It doesn’t hurt to try.”

11 / 11   A Swish of Listerine

“I use regular Listerine for itchy bug bites.” — Brenda Black

Dr. Wu says: “It has menthol, which cools the skin to help relieve itch.”

This article was brought to by Everyday Health Media, LLC - Copyright © 2015