Tips To Stop Itchy Mosquito Bites

If there could be one downfall to moving back to Minnesota it would be dealing with the bugs in the summer. Specifically, mosquitoes.

My son Tanner woke up this morning and couldn't sleep because mosquitoes got in the house and were driving him insane.  He asked if we could call an exterminator to get rid of them.  So is there any relief from mosquito bites?

RUBBING ALCOHOL

Use rubbing alcohol on the bite as soon as possible to clean the area.  You can also use alcohol wipes, and if nothing else, use plain water.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Whether you have a serious allergic reaction to bites or not, applying an antihistamine cream or lotion can offer immediate relief.  Both rubbing alcohol and antihistamine or antiseptics can offer immediate relief.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Soaking a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and putting it directly on the bite, then placing a band aid or tape over it to hold it in place can provide itch relief as well.

ICE COLD OR PIPING HOT WATER

Depending on your preference, sometimes just freezing the bite or burning it with as hot of water as you can stand can provide relief. My trick?  I hold the bite under cold water for as long as I can stand it, and then keep it in the water and run it as hot as I can take. I'm not sure how it works, but it works for mosquito bites AND poison ivy!

MUDDY

If you are camping, or outside for the day, and have no access to the methods mentioned above, you can slap on some mud.  Mud has a cooling effect, and can make you feel better, even if you look a little "dirty".

LAVENDAR OIL

Dabbing small amounts of Lavender oil directly on the bite can stop the itching.

ALOE VERA GEL

This is about the oldest trick in the book, right?  Keep an aloe plant handy, and when bites from mosquitoes or other critters happen, crack open an aloe filled leaf from the plant, and apply directly on the area in question.

LEMON AND LIME JUICES

If you have lemon or limes, or lemon and lime juice in the fridge, place some juice on the spot.  Also if you have bananas, take a banana peel and place the peel with the inside of the peel against the affected area for itch relief.