Ever notice that when you scratch a mosquito bite it just makes it itchier? There’s a reason for that — and a way to treat that itch so it’s not so annoying. But scratching is not the way.
“Scratching will release histamine causing the bite to become even more itchy and will lead to a sore that will linger and take more time to heal,” says Tara L. Kaufmann, MD, a dermatologist at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York.
If you’re patient, don’t scratch, and try some of the following treatment options, you can find relief as well as get rid of that mosquito bite faster.
“Most lotions and creams create a cooling sensation that temporarily relieves itching and discomfort,” says Tim Mentel, PhD, head of medicine and science at Dermapharm, a pharmaceutical developer and distributor.
For example, calamine lotion is made up of the medication calamine and zinc oxide, which treat skin irritations like shingles, chickenpox, and insect bites.
In addition to calamine lotion, you can soothe a mosquito bite with:
Antihistamines can be applied topically with a cream (as mentioned above), or taken as an oral tablet.
If you have an itchy bug bite, topical cream might work better to alleviate itch and it will help you avoid side effects like drowsiness, which are common with oral antihistamines. However, oral antihistamines can still help.
“Oral antihistamines can relieve itching and are readily available over the counter,” Kaufmann says.
The most common over-the-counter oral antihistamines are:
Applying an ice pack or hot compress to a mosquito bite can override the itch, making it easier to ignore, Mentel says.
The key is to get something that’s hot or cold enough to distract you from the itch, while still being safe. If it’s too hot, you could risk a burn, while too cold could irritate your skin further.
Mentel recommends:
During the late spring and summer months, when mosquitoes are most prevalent in the US, it’s important to know how to avoid bites. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites altogether:
Most mosquito bites are merely annoying and will resolve on their own within a week.
However, if you are experiencing a fever, flu-like symptoms, or the swelling is growing and becoming more red and irritated, then it could a sign of a bacterial infection, and you should seek medical help, says Kaufman.
Fever or flu-like symptoms can also indicate that you’ve contracted a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, like West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
While rare, EEE is most common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of America. WNV is more common and can be contracted throughout the country — an estimated 1 out of 150 people infected develops a serious illness.
Mosquito bites are a summer nuisance for many. But luckily, you can get rid of the itch relatively easily with OTC creams or antihistamine medications.
Moreover, the best way to get rid of a mosquito bite is to prevent it in the first place. Apply bug spray, avoid standing water, and wear pants and long sleeves to help protect you from those pesky painful pinches.