Natural remedies for mosquito bites and relieve burning, itching and discomfort immediately. These are tips that the grandmothers gave for all those bites that children brought to play in the field.
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How mosquito bites occur
Female mosquitoes use their proboscis to push the skin and suck the blood they need from what are considered mosquito bites. When they do this, they use their saliva which contains blood thinners so that they can get it without us feeling it. After the mosquito does this, the saliva left on the skin causes the immune system to respond to that saliva by causing the antibodies attached to the antigens to release histamine.
Histamine starts as an inflammatory response and also causes the blood vessels around the bite to swell resulting in itching and itching in the area of mosquito bites.
Why do mosquitoes prefer some people over others?
Mosquitoes will deliberately choose certain people (20% of us) and this has actually been scientifically proven. Mosquitoes use their senses to detect heat, visual cues, carbon dioxide, and smells. The female mosquito is very particular.
Factors why mosquitoes would bite you
- Some studies found that mosquitoes prefer people with type O blood and they can detect it because some people chemically secrete a signal through the skin regarding their blood type.
- Mosquitoes choose people who breathe out the most carbon dioxide(usually older people). Also, pregnant women are prone, because they exhale more carbon dioxide.
- Mosquitoes prefer people with higher body temperatures and are attracted to sweat and lactic acid. So sedentary people are more likely to get mosquito bites.
- If you have bacteria on the skin, on the ankles and feet you are more prone to being bitten, as the smell of bacteria attracts them.
- If you have been drinking beer it is also a factor that attracts them, due to the ethanol in the sweat or the increase in body temperature.
You can try a very effective method to ward off mosquitoes that consists of 11 folk and home remedies.
Natural remedies for mosquito bites
These are the 7 best remedies for mosquito bites as they will help relieve the itching and inflammation that occurs in the area of the bite.
1. Baking soda
Use the baking soda and mix with water to make a paste. Apply it to mosquito bites and the skin around the area. The itch is relieved instantly! After the paste dries on your skin (it can dry in about 15 minutes), it can be reapplied for more relief.
You can also make a mixture of witch hazel and baking soda and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
It works because baking soda is alkaline which helps neutralize the pH of inflamed skin.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Take a cotton ball and you should dip it in pure apple cider vinegar. Apply the cotton ball on the mosquito bite (s) and rub the area. The acidity of the vinegar helps stop itching.
3. Apply a hot or cold swab to the area of the bite
Take a spoon and put it in the freezer or just keep one there for when needed. Take out the spoon and apply it on the mosquito bite. This method provides immediate relief from itching, and the cold numbs the area and reduces inflammation. Not only does a spoon work, it can be another object that is cold, it could be a bag of ice or frozen vegetables.
Applying heat to the area also helps reduce the body’s reaction to the mosquito bite. To do this, take a spoon and dip it in hot water, but not so hot that it will burn your skin. Keep it on the sting area to reduce inflammation and itching.
4. Using the inside of a banana peel
Take the inside of a banana peel and rub it over the area. Since almost everyone has a banana always in the kitchen, this method should be tried, but if it does not work, you can implement some of the other methods in combinations for greater effectiveness and reduce the discomfort caused by mosquito bites.
5. Essential oils
There are several essential oils that can be great natural remedies for mosquito bites as they are natural anti-inflammatories, they reduce itching and inflammation. The best ones to use for mosquito bites are tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and cedar oil. Mix a couple of drops of one or more of these essential oils with water and you should put it directly on the bite, this will give you immediate relief.
6. Cut an onion
Apply a fresh cut onion to the area of the bite immediately. The onion not only helps decrease inflammation and stop itching, it also helps flush fluids from the bite.
7. Apply lemon on the bite
The lemons are also natural anti – inflammatory and antiseptic. Cut the lemon in two and rub the pulp side over the skin. Lemon juice is also useful as an anesthetic to prevent infection caused by mosquito bites.