Category Archives: Bite Treatment

54 Mosquito Bite Relief Remedies To Ease Itch and Swelling

Mosquitoes buzzing and biting are a part of life we’d like to avoid. No matter how hard you try, you always end up with a few bites when you go outside in the summer. Or even worse, you’re a mosquito magnet and get chewed up in bed during hot summer nights.

Some of us are especially unlucky. They suffer from badly infected mosquito bites. Fingers swollen like sausages, blisters the size of tennis balls and painful itching are a true ordeal.

A safe but frustrating bet would be to stay inside and avoid getting eaten alive. A more realistic approach is to know how to treat the bumps and itch once you’re bitten.

Keep in mind that, aside from anaphylaxis and atopic eczema flare-ups, in most people, mosquito bites symptoms commonly fade on their own and many experts recommend no treatment at all.

If you do want a remedy, the best way to treat your bites is by dealing with the inflammation and irritation.

Why do mosquito bites itch?

The itch and inflammation from mosquito bites is caused by the mosquito’s saliva that may provoke an immune response.

It contains a fluid that prevents blood from clotting. This substance, also referred to as anticoagulant gets injected into your skin while the mosquito is slurping your blood. More on

 

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The 2 best mosquito bite relief tips


 

1. Generally recommended by experts; wash mosquito bites with water and mild soap right after you or a family member has been bitten by a mosquito.

The chemicals and fats in soap eliminate some of the proteins and anti-clotting agents in the mosquito’s saliva that cause redness, swelling and itching. Soap also dries out the bite and washing also helps avoid secondary infection.

Wanna catch two birds in one stone? Use eucalyptus soap to repel the buggers at the same time.

2. Ice is nice because it’s safe and works. Press ice cubes to the affected area for several minutes at a time.  This popular method works for many people. Symptoms subside, redness, itch, and swelling or hives are reduced fairly quickly.

 

Commercial creams, lotions, sticks and ointments


 

Most over-the-counter or prescription creams gels or lotions contain ingredients such as lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or pramoxine to reduce pain and itch. Other products contain soothing baking soda or colloidal oatmeal.

Topical antihistamines

Antihistamine cream / sticks  such as Benadryl Cream belong to the most popular remedies. They may help soothe the small localized reaction caused by the bite. However,

Topical antihistamines are generally not recommended as they’re only marginally effective and shouldn’t be used for longer than three days.

Topical anesthetics

Topical anesthetics offer quick temporary relief. Hydrocortisone cream 1% reduces itching redness and swelling. They may have a numbing  effect on the affected area.

Prescription Pramegel or the over-the-counter Caladryl are topical anesthetics containing pramoxine.

Topical anesthetics (i.e. lidocaine) are only somewhat effective and can sensitize the skin, causing more itch instead of less.

Topical steroids

Corticosteroids come in various strengths and are applied several times a day until symptoms subside.

They can reduce inflammation and relieve itchiness but sometimes a stronger prescription topical corticosteroid is needed. Sometimes, reactions to mosquito bites can be so severe that systemic steroids are prescribed.

Hydrocortisone and other topical steroids are not supposed to be used on broken skin which is very common after you’ve been scratching.

 

Other commercial anti itch creams

Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide which has antiseptic properties known to prevent infection from scratching. Calamine lotion has a long-lasting effect making it a popular choice for children. The Food and Drug Administration notes that calamine lotion is not an effective itch cure yet it’s still commonly recommended by doctors.

Sarna menthol lotion helps get rid of itch and pain.

Preparation H, known mainly as a product that relieves hemorrhoids, may also help relieve your itchy mosquito bumps. Hemorrhoids are actually quite similar to mosquito bites in some ways. Both cause inflammation and irritation that is readily relieved by the Preparation H.

  • Just stick to the cream or pads, the suppositories won’t help much, unless you’ve been bitten in a very unusual location.

 

Aspirin paste is also quite good at eliminating inflammation. You can crush aspirin and add it to some oil or water to create a paste you can apply directly to the bites.

More itch relief products used on mosquito bites:

  • Anbesol
  • Orajel
  • Vicks VapoRub contains soothing camphor and menthol oils.
  • Lucas Papaw Ointment
  • Tiger Balm / Bag Balm
  • Gold Bond Medicated Cream (or the Gold Bond Medicated Powder)
  • Burt’s Bees Bug Bite Relief
  • After Bite
  • Solarcaine has lots of lidocaine in it.
  • Mylanta (heartburn relief product)
  • Chloraseptic works well for some people. Spray it on or apply it with a Q-tip or cotton ball for instant relief.

 

What does the research say?

Studies show: often, these creams don’t help.

Recent research suggests that many popular over-the-counter creams don’t work to relieve itching and burning sensations.

A study published in the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin concludes that there’s little evidence that steroid creams or antihistamine tablets reduce itch.

The researchers found that ointments containing lidocaine or benzocaine, or that are combined with antihistamines or antiseptics, only sometimes help.

“There is little direct evidence for the efficacy of treatments for simple insect bites. Guidelines are generally based on expert opinion. The symptoms are often self-limiting, and in many cases no treatment may be needed.”

The researchers recommend the following treatment in case of bug bites. Apply a cold compress to manage the itching, pain, and swelling. Take oral analgesics for pain (in some people, mosquito bites can really hurt), and apply a mild corticosteroid cream applied to reduce inflammation and itching.

If your mosquito bite really swells up and becomes a big welt you can benefit from taking an oral antihistamine.

 

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Oral antihistamines


 

Oral antihistamines, for large local reactions such as severe hives or itching, come in;

  • non-sedating antihistamines which are commonly taken during the day
  • as well as sedating antihistamines which can be of use at night if sleep is disturbed.

When choosing a brand, especially for kids, consider strength and drowsy side effects vs no side effects.

A fairly new, over-the-counter antihistamine is Zyrtec which is reported to work very well while not being as sedating as some other products. Other brand names include Allegra, Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton.

Oral antihistamines can be taken to offer relief for severe itch or hives (provided you don’t have a drug allergy).

  • How do they work? Antihistamines counter the, by your immune system’s influenced histamine release, during an allergic reaction.

What do studies say?

A few small double-blind studies suggest that oral antihistamines help reduce immediate reactions that cause itching but don’t do much against delayed reactions to bites.

  • The researchers tested loratadine, prophylactic levocetirizine (Xyzal), cetirizine (Zyrtec, Alleroff, Aller-Tec), and ebastine (not available in the U.S.).

 

Oral pain relievers


 

Ibuprofen (Motrin IB or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are other anti over the counter anti-inflammatory medications that can reduce redness, pain, itching, swelling and fever.

 

Natural mosquito bite remedies


 

Studies indicate that some botanical anti-inflammatory substances are very effective in offering mosquito bite relief in some people.

Apply these dabs as soon as possible directly on the mosquito bite. The sooner you are dabbing, the faster the relief.

Papaverine (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 13:806, 1985) and oral evening primrose oil (Lancet, 2:1120, 1982) are specifically mentioned by researchers.

Aloe vera, the popular sun burn relief agent, is known for its abundant skin care qualities. It helps to relieve inflammation, which aids in itch relief.

  • Break off an aloe vera leaf, rub its gel on the welt. Cools and soothes the itch. Use a commercial aloe gel product if you don’t grow aloe vera at home. For a double dose of relief, place the aloe vera in the refrigerator before applying. The cold helps to relieve the itchiness of the mosquito bites.

The simplest anti-itching compound is a paste made of baking soda and water. Use just enough water to make a sticky paste, and spread it on. Baking soda is alkaline which is why it can reduce itch and help neutralize the pH of an infected area.

Press a used, damp tea bag to the affected skin. The tannins present in tea act as an astringent. They draw toxins out of your skin. Apply a cold green tea bag  (cooled in the fridge/freezer) for extra relief.

Strong black tea mixed with rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol are popular remedies too.

Make a paste from witch hazel and baking soda. Apply and leave on for about 15 minutes.

Swab some apple cider vinegar on the bite or add a few cups to your bath. It helps balance the pH if the bite is infected.  Apple cider vinegar is a bit less acidic compared to other vinegars.

A popular all-natural choice are creams with chamomile, turmeric, or peppermint as active ingredients.

Leaf applications. Apply crushed fresh leaves of basil, jewelweed, chickweed, or plantains (plantago) or make a peppermint poultice.

Mash the leaves with a mortar and pestle or chew them (some folks claim that human saliva is a natural skeeter bite reliever too). Apply the peppermint leaves paste for soothing, cooling relief.

Essential oils


 

Be careful with applying full strength essential oils as they may cause skin irritation on delicate skin. Also be cautious with repeated use of pure essential oils on children.

Tea tree oil is widely recognized for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Reddit user aus_shredder claims it helps to get rid of the itch following a mosquito bite instantly.

Do keep in mind that pure tea tree oil is harsh and depending on how sensitive your skin is you may want to to dilute it.

Topical application of (diluted) peppermint, lemon, cedar and lavender oil are also popular mosquito bite remedies.

The biggest problem derived from scratching one’s itch is the threat of infections.

 

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Use physical distraction


 

Also called counter irritants, these methods work by sensory overload. Instead of sending feelings of being itchy, the nerves in your skin will send pain signals that are much easier for your brain to ignore. By adding discomfort, the nerve won’t react anymore.

Press an X on the bite

One of the most common home remedies for mosquito bite relief is pressing an X into your mosquito bites with the edge of your fingernail.

While this doesn’t do anything for the inflammation, the pain caused by the X pressed into your skin can provide a much needed distraction from the itchiness.

  • The drawing an X inside the welt with your finger method is basically a milder, less harmful form of scratching.

The much-debated hot spoon method

Some people swear by applying a hot spoon to their mosquito bites. Supposedly, heating up your spoon in a cup of coffee or tea provides significant heat to help break up some of the proteins that cause the irritation.

Conventional relief, the cold pack

Rather than applying heat, you may opt for the opposite, using a cold ice pack. Cooling down your mosquito bites will help to relieve swelling and inflammation, providing some relief. The cold temperatures will also numb the mosquito bites a bit, making them more bearable.

  • How to use? For a cool compress, wrap an ice pack in a towel or put a soaked washcloth in the freezer for a while and press it on the bite.

Ammonia dab

A science-backed counter irritant is ammonia. Dab with it to eliminate itch. One trial found household ammonia to partially relieve itching, burning, or painful mosquito bites for up to 90 minutes in all treated patients, whereas a placebo did not offer relief.

Bleach

Dip a cotton swab or small cloth or moisten the tip of your finger with a little household bleach and dab the area.  It neutralizes the mosquito bite toxins immediately.

More Dabbing Remedies


 

  • Toothpaste may help soothe your itchy mosquito bumps. This will definitely dry out your skin, but it can’t remove the anticoagulating fluid mosquitoes inject in your skin to draw out blood. Toothpast does contain baking soda and menthol and has anti-inflammatory properties. Toothpaste may work for some but other people report having  serious reactions to it ending up with burn-like spots.
  • Mouthwash is an astringent, thus soothes and claimed to draw itchy venom from bug bites.
  • Rubbing honey on your itchy skin is claimed to help your itching. Dr. Oz says a dab of honey soothes skin because it is a natural antibiotic. Honey helps prevent infections when you’ve scratched the bite open.However, the sweet scent may actually attract more mosquitoes and other bugs to your skin.
  • The same goes for banana peel.
  • Underarm deodorants often contains aluminum chloride salts which can help absorb the anticoagulant fluid from the mosquito’s saliva.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what can provide relief from mosquito bites. It’s likely that some of the methods described below may work for you, but only because of the placebo effect.

Still, what does not work for most people may work for you. If only for the placebo effect. Which, after all, is a powerful effect. Being convinced it works may be all you need.

Electricity: A Stunning bug bite remedy


 

Batteries neutralize venom

If you have any friends or family in the military, odds are they’ve claimed that electricity from batteries can help relieve itching and irritation. Stunning but true, batteries can be used to help deactivate venom from a snake, bee, or spider bite.

Wet the bite and rub a 9-volt battery against it. Your saliva increases conductivity and the electric current deactivates the venom.

Batteries offer mosquito bite relief

Similarly, a 9 volt battery is a popular way to soothe your itchy mosquito terrorized skin too. In fact, using low voltage electricity is a science-backed method that can also remove venom from your skin.

 “Direct electric current from low voltage showed neutralizing properties against venom phospholipase A2 and metalloproteases.”  PubMed.

Gadgets that do the same

Instead of a battery you could also use the Therapik Mosquito Bite Reliever. This clinically proven gadget doesn’t look like a highly effective bug bite soother but it really works.

The 13 bucks costing, plasticky bug-bite zapper is actually pretty effective. It works by heating up the mosquito or other type of bug bite, thus breaking down the venom’s proteins. As a result the swelling and itch fade.

  • How to use? Put the Therapik tip on the welt, press and hold down the button, hold it there for as long as you can take it (after 30 seconds it can burn pretty intensely) for up to a minute.
  • On mosquito bites it stops itching within a few seconds after taking it off and it keeps the bites from itching ever again.

Ecobrands Zap-it!

Another gadget using the same technology. Use the Zap-it  by clicking for about 5 to 10 times and the itch is gone. The sooner you zap after being bitten, the more efficient it is.

 

Miscellaneous mosquito bite relief remedies


 

Some people swear by applying a mixture of water and garlic salt. You will experience a burning sensation for about 5 seconds but then you’re cured.  Others prefer rubbing a sliced garlic clove on their bites. Avoid application directly on an open site or when you have sensitive skin as it can cause severe burning and stinging.

Meat tenderizer containing papain is said to break down the proteins found in the mosquito saliva, which will help reduce the symptoms your immune system produces.

Because they over-stimulate nerves, topical use of peppers or creams containing capsaicin, the substance that makes spicy foods hot, are also said to reduce itch.  A few trials seem to support this claim. More here, can peppers reduce itch?

If you can reach it, try licking your skeeter bite. According to some it’s a proven remedy that neutralizes the mosquito’s saliva. You can also wet your finger with your saliva and rub it into the bite after which you let it air dry. Repeat a few times within the first 10 minutes.

 

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mosquitoes can drive you crazy

How to prevent mosquito bite infection


 

Infection is a real threat when dealing with itchy skin. Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, only to realize you had scratched your skin raw from a patch of mosquito bites?

Scratching your skin raw isn’t just a risk for infection. It can also lead to scarring. Using antiseptics can help keep your skin clean and infection free.

Antiseptics

Some of the most popular antiseptics include things like rubbing alcohol, witch hazel and tea tree oil. The sting from the alcohol and the cooling from evaporation will also provide a well needed distraction and some relief from the itchiness.

Medical honey

Another all-natural and proven effective antiseptic is Medihoney cream.

Hand sanitizers work well too. They are great antiseptics and usually include a high concentration of alcohol. You can rub the hand sanitizer on your bites, and also on your fingers, to help prevent bacteria from being scratched into the bites.

Cover the bite

A good way to eliminate the risk of infection is to cover your bites. Especially if you’ve a tendency to scratch your skin open with dirty fingernails. You can cover the bites by applying some nail polish, scotch tape, or a band aid. If you can’t touch your bites, you won’t be able to scratch them, so they will heal much more quickly.

Some people remove the tape immediately after applying, claiming it helps remove some of the proteins in the saliva that trigger the mild immune system reaction.

  • Simple, non-problematic insect bites do not require antibacterial treatment. When you suffer from a secondary infection you will probably need to take an oral antibacterial agent in accordance with your doctor’s guidelines.

Also important:


 

Be aware of skeeter syndrome

Be able to recognize Skeeter Syndrome. It’s an uncommon, severe form of mosquito allergy that occurs hours to a few days after bites.

It’s characterized by fever, bruising, swelling that may extend the bite area,  numerous hives, red bumps and occasional blisters.

Skeeter Syndrome is a rare condition that commonly affects children since they haven’t developed immunity to mosquito saliva. Treatment may require antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, and medical attention.

And West Nile Virus

The Colonies of culex modestus mosquito species that can spread the West Nile virus in one bite and was responsible for 286 deaths in America in 2012 has been found living close to London too.

The deadly disease transmitting mosquito can cause meningitis which is recognized by flu-like symptoms that last several days, and in serious cases can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord.

Conclusion


 

The best way to deal with your bites is to soothe the inflammation, find a physical distraction, then cover them so they can heal without getting infected.

What works for some may not work for others but home remedies galore which can help you find relief.

Despite the opinion of researchers who claim that mosquito bite symptoms are self-limiting it’s important to find relief.

Relief means no scratching, no open skin, no scratched sores, ugly bumps and subsequent infections. Also no being kept awake because of that dreadful itch.

How do you fight the urge to scratch?

Which treatment works best for you? Let us know your tips in the comments below.

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scratching can feel so good, go ahead, scratch, but just a little

Some mosquito control tips:

An ounce of prevention is…, well you know. Keep the little bloodsuckers away by using a handheld bug zapper,  by getting the best bug zapper you can get, by mosquito-proofing your yard and by keeping your home skeeter-free.

Mosquito Bite Allergy, What Exactly Is It?

While a mosquito bite may be nothing more than an itching annoyance for most people, for those with a mosquito bite allergy, a bite could trigger symptoms that are much more painful and dramatic than the small red bump which is a typical reaction.

What exactly is mosquito bite allergy?

This allergy is also commonly called “Skeeter Syndrome,” though medical personnel are probably more likely to refer to the condition as HMB, or hypersensitivity to mosquito bites.

  • Symptoms of HMB are most often swelling, bruising, hives or a rash, also known as urticaria, in the area where the bite occurred, though these symptoms may show up across the entire body part or limb as well.
  • There are also rare cases in which a person might experience hives and/or swelling throughout their whole body.
  • Meanwhile, those with asthma could also have an asthmatic response that makes it difficult to breathe.

When a mosquito bites you, they are actually injecting their snouts into your flesh and routing around in there as they seek out a blood vessel.

The snout contains the mouthparts of the insect, so as soon as they manage to insert it into a blood vessel, their salvia is released into the vessel and the surrounding area.

The presence of specific proteins in the saliva of mosquitoes prevents the vessel from clotting, which enables the bug to drink your blood freely for longer.

Unfortunately, these proteins also contain allergenic polypeptides which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Because of this, common mosquito bite remedies don’t help.

The body’s natural reaction to these allergens is the release of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody that is intended to help defend the cells that are the tissue in the area of the bite against damage or infection.

A mosquito bite allergy can occur when the cells with this IgE antibody attached begin to send out histamine, a chemical neurotransmitter that creates an inflammatory response in order to let your body’s immune system know of a problem that needs to be addressed.

That red, itchy bump that most people experience is actually a sign of histamine doing its part in helping the body to heal the insect bite, but a buildup of this chemical in one area is capable of causing the symptoms associated with a mosquito bite allergy.

Although a person with a mosquito bite allergy could be susceptible to anaphylaxis or severe urticaria or swelling, this condition is very rarely fatal and the symptoms will often disappear on their own within a few hours, or even sooner with treatment.

 

Do you suffer from a mosquito bite allergy?

Studies indicate that: “Highly sensitive persons may want to take oral antihistamines to minimize cutaneous reactions to mosquito bites.”

 

Do Peppers And Capsaicin Cream Offer Itch Relief?

You  may have heard about pepper and the substance that makes them spicy, capsaicin, being used for pain relief. For instance by arthritis sufferers.

By over-stimulating the nerves pepper is claimed to offer mosquito itch relief as well. We are wondering,  is this true? Can peppers really make mosquito itch go away. Let’s take a look at what studies say.

The claim

Rubbing peppers or applying capsaicin cream on your mosquito welt takes away the annoying itch.

 

The theory, pepper as an ancient medicine

Peppers have been known for their medicinal properties since the dawn of mankind.

For the Native Americans red cayenne pepper was not only part of their diet but they also used Capsicum annuum or frutescens as a medicine for at least 9,000 years.

Cayenne has also been part of traditional Chinese, Indian Ayurvedic, Korean and Japanese medicines. Among other remedies it was applied to the skin for arthritis and muscle pain. Capsaicin creams are nowadays used to offer relief from psoriasis itch.

Red pepper was also used by indigenous peoples as an aphrodisiac (don’t make the mistake to use it topically for this purpose, since this will probably set you on fire in an unintentional way.)

Red pepper is a painkiller

Nowadays, capsaicin cream is used to treat muscle and joint pain and some people are also using it to treat itching caused by a number of medical conditions.

The University of Maryland Medical Center and other renowned medical sources note that capsaicin helps reduce pain. It should be noted that peppers work for some kinds of pain only.

It’s a relatively safe medication, although one common side effect is itching or burning so it’s a little odd that people are using it to treat just that.

The theory is that capsaicin blocks a chemical in the skin that plays a role in the processes causing pain and itch.

Research shows that peppers deplete your nerves of a pain signaling molecule called substance P.

How does capsaicin reduce pain?

When applied to the skin, capsaicin focuses on substance P and empties the molecule from nerve endings in the so called peripheral tissues. This causes the initial burning sensation. Capsaicin also prevents nerve cells from making more substance P.

Promising research is going on as we speak. Red pepper is currently being researched for its abilities to create a new class of painkillers (so called VR1 receptor blockers ).

The scientists suspect to create painkillers that relief pain more directly with fewer side effects (when compared to traditional analgesics such as morphine and aspirin).

That being nice and all, back to itch.

Do peppers and capsaicin reduce itch?

peppers-reduce-pain-and-itch

Beware if you haven’t used a capsaicin containing pain relieving cream before. The active ingredient is the same stuff that makes habanero and other hot peppers taste so hot and spicy.

The substance is used in pepper spray too, although in lower concentrations. Especially the first few uses it can really burn so if you have delicate skin, make sure to apply it carefully and lightly.

Even in low concentrations, they can really burn the first few times you use them. Some people have skin that is simply too delicate, thin, or sensitive to use these kinds of products.

Capsaicin cream induces itching and burning and ultimately may stop itch.

It is theorzied that capsaicin cream can sooth itching too by overstimulating the nerves so that they switch off all together.  Again, this is the effect of neutralizing the substance P. molecule.

  • The University of Maryland notes that, “capsaicin cream can reduce itching and inflammation from psoriasis.”

Let’s take a look at what other research has to say.

Studies

A study made use of six randomized controlled trials on the effects of capsaicin cream. Three of the studies looked at patients who had itching from kidney dialysis and didn’t come up with enough data to make any conclusions one way or the other.

  • When capsaicin cream was used on patients with itching of unknown cause (idiopathic itch) it was a little more effective than the placebo, but there was not enough data from this study to draw any scientific conclusions.

Participants with a localized itch called notalgia paresthetica did not note any significant difference between the capsaicin cream and placebo. This type of itch is also called “Hereditary localized pruritus”.

The medical term for itching is pruritus.

The study done on participants with itch that typically occurs on the forearm, called neurogenic itch syndrome of the upper extremitiesn (brachioradial paresthetica) was not performed with good enough conditions to draw any scientific conclusions.

What to make of it..

Doctors are lacking good studies that can conclusively say one way or another whether capsaicin cream can help itching.

The six trails that the above study examined had limited evidence or poor experimental conditions which are why no conclusions could be drawn.

At present, there is no convincing evidence for the use of capsaicin to treat pruritus in any medical condition. Further research is needed, and should attempt to address methodological issues identified through this review including unblinding and the suitability of crossover designs. PubMed.

Nonetheless,  based on this particular study, there seems to be no scientific evidence that capsaicin cream can help itching, but there’s no evidence to the contrary, either.

Another study however does show promising results.

  • In the experiment test persons who experience itch due to contact with water were treated with topical capsaicin cream three times a day for four weeks.  After the treatment the test persons did not experience itch upon exposure to water.

(itch caused by water, in medical terms,  is called aquagenic pruritus)

Concluding

Study findings are contradictory. There is some, although limited, evidence that topical application of capsaicin cream helps prevent itch.

It should also be noted that capsaicin works best upon continued application of capsaicin. Since mosquito bite itch relief is an ad hoc affair this aspect may make it less suitable for this purpose.

Since application causes a burning sensation at first the use of such creams may wrok counterproductive for some people. Prolonged use does seem to reduce these effects.

All in all, whether such creams and peppers themselves are the most effective way of offering mosquito bite itch relief remains to be seen.

This really makes me wonder, has anyone tried capsaicin cream for mosquito bites?

Since, in my case, the itch only lasts for minutes I don’t really need an anti-itch remedy. Which makes that I would love to hear about your experiences. You can share them below.

 

How to use capsaicin cream or peppers

If you decide to want to try capsaicin cream to reduce the annoying mosquito itch there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • First of all, start out with applying just a little bit. Especially if you don’t know how sensitive your skin is to the fiery substance.
  • It’s probably best not to apply the cream (or  raw pepper) with your fingers. You will forget about having applied it until  you rub your eye later. The painful reminder is likely to bring tears to your eyes. Believe me, I have been there because I love to cook with peppers.
  • Want to go hardcore? Plan on using the raw pepper on your bumps? Keep in mind that for a commercially prepared cream for topical pain relief is probably safer than doing it yourself. The all-natural way of applying pepper to your skin can cause serious burning and even blisters. Over-the-counter topical creams containing up to 0.075% capsaicin are FDA approved.

 

If you really need to get rid of the itch systemic therapy, in other words oral medication, may help. Antihistamines show to be able to control itch although not always.

Have you used capsaicin on your skeeter bites?

 

Image Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?

squirrels suffer from itch too
mosquitoes do not only bite people, they bite squirrels too

If you’ve ever experienced one, there’s a good chance that you’ve asked yourself why a mosquito bite itches so much.

Most of the time, the swelling and redness that are associated with a bite from a mosquito are minor annoyances when compared to the irresistible itching sensation that is another very common reaction.

But what causes the itch and why does it affect some people and not others? This in-depth exploration of the science behind an itchy mosquito bite should help to clear these questions right up for you.

What Makes the Mosquito Bite Itch?

There are a whole series of events that lead up to that itch, and it starts with a female mosquito’s need for blood. When she sticks her long snout into your flesh, it pokes around in there, effectively acting as a probe, until she is able to find a blood vessel and stick her mouthparts into it.

The mosquito’s saliva is introduced to the area around her injection site and the human body will immediately begin to react to the ingredients that the saliva contains.

There is a protein found in mosquito saliva that acts as a natural anticoagulant, helping to keep the supply of blood flowing for longer, but that’s not all this protein carries. There are also polypeptides present in it that stimulate the body’s immune system as well.

One of the first things that your body will do when it perceives this threat is to call out the troops, in a manner of speaking. The first wave of defenders is a type of antibody that is known as immunoglobulin E, or IgE, and these antibodies will immediately begin to send signals to the rest of you immune system that backup is needed.

The chemical that they use to get the attention of the immune system is called histamine and in a way, it’s this helpful neurotransmitter that actually causes your mosquito bite to itch.

Histamine acts as an irritant to the cells in the area where the mosquito was feeding, causing them to swell, which is what creates the painful bump on the surface of the skin.

This inflammation is generally an efficient and effective method for getting a quick response from the immune system, but it also irritates the nerves in the skin, which is what will ultimately cause the mosquito bite to start to itch.

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch More at Night?

Many people have observed that their mosquito bite doesn’t itch as much when they wake up in the morning, but that by the time they are getting ready to go to bed, the itching is nearly unbearable.

Studies have shown that our body begins to produce a natural stress-relieving hormone called cortisol in the very early morning hours in order to prepare us for the process of waking up.

Cortisol can also offer temporary relief of inflammation throughout the body, so the high morning levels of it can stop the itching from a mosquito bite for the first few hours of your day.

By the late afternoon or early evening however, the itching will normally have returned as cortisol levels drop to their lowest point in the day.

Why Do Some People Itch While Others Don’t?

Just like some folks are bitten much more than others are there some people who suffer a great deal from the bite of a mosquito and yet there are others who seem to be nearly impervious to the effects of a bite.

A major determinant in how most adults react to a mosquito bite is based on their early experiences with them.

That’s because the first time that a person receives a mosquito bite, there generally won’t be a reaction due to the fact that the body doesn’t recognize the saliva of the mosquito as a threat yet.

After that first sting however, the immune system becomes more sensitive to the presence of it in the body and faster to initiate its histamine response in defense. For most people, each subsequent bite makes the body more efficient at dealing with mosquito saliva, so histamine become less and less necessary over time.

That means less swelling in the area, which results in less irritation to the local nerves and, in the end, less itching. In fact, there are many adults who show little or no reaction to a mosquito bite if they were exposed to a lot of bites when they were younger.

For this reason, if a person is not exposed to many mosquito bites as a child, or if a long time passes between being bitten, there’s a good chance that their reaction when they do receive a bite will be a bit more intense than it would be in a person who had been bitten more often and thus, it will probably cause more itching.

There are also some people who develop a hyper-histamine response to a mosquito bite, which can result in a concentration of the chemical in the affected area and create painful swelling and itching for the victim and even leave bruises in some cases. These more dramatic symptoms are actually indicative of an allergy to mosquito bites.

My own experiences

As any other I hate mosquitoes. I do not suffer from itchy swollen welts though. I do experience itch, however it’s gone within 20 minutes or so. Just like the tiny swelling that forms.

On the other hand, I do get bitten a lot. I’m a so called mosquito magnet. They seem to like me more than my former girlfriends too. Which is cool. I don’t have to carry those welts with me for days. So let me be her decoy. As an almost mosquito welt resistant individual I’m fine with that.

The only thing that really annoys me is their buzzing in my ears. And the fact that I sometimes wake up from the itch on my hands. It’s always my hands they need to pick at night.

mosquito biting a finger causing itch

Why The Itch Can Be A Good Thing

With the risk on catching the West Nile virus now being a reality in the US the itch also has a purpose. It lets you know you have been bitten by a mosquito. In other countries, malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases can be transmitted by the pesky bugs.

If your body didn’t react at all you wouldn’t know about the bite and possible sickness. The itch, as well as the bump, are indications of a possible cause of the flu you may be experiencing afterwards.

 

Why Scratching Really Does Make the Itching Worse

If you were ever bitten by a mosquito as a child, you were probably told by your mother that scratching the itch would only make it worse, and as it turns out, of course your mother was right.

Remember how histamine caused inflammation near the bite site and that’s why the nerves became irritated and itchy?

Well, histamine isn’t the only thing out there that’s capable of irritating nerves. Scratching the skin can definitely have the same effect, thereby creating a vicious cycle of itching and scratching and itching even more. Some people put peppers or capsaicin creams on their bites to reduce the itch. This also worsens the itching at first but it seems to help for some.

No one enjoys being bitten by a mosquito or the terrible itching sensation that so often follows it. But hopefully now that you’re armed with this knowledge of why a mosquito bite itches, the next time that you’re bitten, you’ll be better able to resist the urge to scratch.

The most effective products to avoid getting bitten after all are those containing DEET.

Improving your yard can help a lot in preventing the vicious airborne bugs from finding you in the first place.

Are your mosquito welts really itchy? Which mosquito bite remedies work for you? Share your experiences below.

 

Image by Tomi Tapio.