How to Treat Mosquito Bites

If you’ve found yourself with a mosquito bite, there’s no need to panic. Most mosquito bites heal in just a few days when treated properly. Here’s the thing: don’t scratch them. We know they can be tough to ignore, and sometimes they’re just so satisfying to scratch, but they’ll heal a lot faster if you leave them alone.

To ensure your mosquito bite heals as quickly and painlessly as possible, here’s what to do:

Carefully wash the bite(s) with warm water and mild, unscented soap.
To help reduce swelling or itching, apply an ice pack for ten-minute intervals as needed.
Use anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to help with itchiness
Again, we reiterate: avoid scratching them to the best of your ability.

Mom knows how to treat mosquito bites with over-the-counter cream

When Do You Start Feeling a Mosquito Bite?

It can vary. After a mosquito bites you, it may be a few minutes before you start noticing any symptoms. Or it may be a few hours. Itchiness is often the first symptom. At first, the bite will look like a raised white welt but will reduce to a red bump in a day or so.

Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

You probably already have some things in your house that can aid in the healing of your mosquito bites. Always do a skin patch test before proceeding with these homemade or natural remedies.

A few of the most common homemade remedies include:

Baking soda and water: Create a paste using 1 tablespoon baking soda and water. Apply it to the mosquito bite, let sit for ten minutes, and wash it away.
Oatmeal: An oatmeal paste created using equal amounts of oatmeal and water can be applied to the skin with a washcloth. You can also try an oatmeal bath by sprinkling a cup of ground oats into a warm-water bath.
Honey: Used for many at-home treatments, honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. A small drop on a mosquito bite can reduce inflammation and reduce the desire to scratch.
Aloe vera: Not just used for sunburns, aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to soothe the symptoms associated with mosquito bites.

Do I Need To See a Doctor For Mosquito Bites?

Probably not. Almost always, mosquito bites will heal with few symptoms in just a few days. If you start to come down with more severe symptoms, call and discuss what’s happening with a medical professional. You may want to see a doctor. The worry – even though it’s extremely rare in the United States – is mosquito-borne illness.

More serious symptoms include fevers, rashes, nausea, and allergic reactions—all of which can be signs of a more serious problem.

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