Mosquito Bite Relief
By VICKI SALEMI
A mosquito's typical itchy red bites typically last for days but during the height of the summer when you're outdoors 24/7, those days may seem long and weary. After the mosquito bites the human skin and injects saliva, in turn, we experience a bump, itch and of course, the urgency to scratch. Several household remedies are at your fingertips to alleviates those itch-filled days.
Toothpaste
Although it's commonly used for your teeth, toothpaste just got a bit more versatile, moonlighting as a mosquito bite healer. "You could apply it several times a day without any problems," says Betty Pillsbury of GreenSpiralHerbs.com. "Toothpaste [especially peppermint] rubbed on the site of the mosquite bite relieves itching. The peppermint exerts a cooling sensation on hot, inflamed (i.e. bitten) skin," adds Jennifer Crain, a holistic pediatrics specialist.
Epsom Salt
This household item can work wonders. Soak a cotton washcloth in cold water that's been mixed with Epsom salt (two tablespoons per cup) and apply it to the mosquito bite. Another option is to add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a cup of hot water until it dissolves. After the solution has been chilled in the refrigerator for 20 minutes it may be applied to the mosquito bite. "Basically, anything that itches or burns the skin, Epsom salt can soothe," notes Joe Matusic, M.D., a pediatrician in Charleston, W.Va., and an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Charleston division of the West Virginia University School of Medicine
Ice Cubes
What could be more inexpensive and simple than good old-fashioned ice? "The cold ice cube will stop itching immediately" according to Neal Schultz, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist who recently launched DermTV. He says that ice is an extremely effective way to soothe mosquito bite itches. You may apply an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth directly onto the bite every few hours.
Honey
The same way honey is soothing to your sore throat, it is also soothing to your skin. "Honey is good for anything that's irritating," notes Dr. Schultz. "It has all sorts of wonderful qualities due to its anti-inflammatory effects." He recommends diluting honey with one-third's part water and then using a Q-tip to apply it directly to the mosquito bite.
Lemons
Lemons may taste bitter, but they can help shrink swelling and prevent scratching bites due to anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects, says Dr. Schultz, who suggest applying the juice with a cotton swab. If you don't feel like squeezing lemons yourself, you can also use fresh lemon juice as long as it's not from concentrate.
Ammonia
Want to immediately stop the itching sensation from nasty mosquito bites? Applying ammonia will interfere with the conduction of nerve fibers and stop the itching sensation. "Ammonia functions as a nerve anesthetic. Use a Q-tip in the smallest amount and coat the bite with the liquid," explains Dr. Schultz.
Milk
Not just for cereal anymore, doctors say milk has soothing properties. Mix a solution of skim milk using 99 percent milk, with water at room temperature and the protein of the milk will decrease the itching sensation. Dr. Schultz recommends dabbing an old t-shirt or handkerchief in the solution and leaving it on for a few minutes. "This is wonderful to relieve the itching."
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one sure-fire way to simultaneously deal with multiple mosquito bites. Dr. Sue G. DeCotiis, a board-certified medical internist recommends creating a concoction of one-third baking soda and two-thirds water particularly when you have multiple bites. "When you have a lot of bites, get into a bath tub and soak in it for about twenty to thirty minutes." It acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve skin irritation.
Tea
"The herbs could work as an anti-inflammatory," says Dr. DeCotiis. Make sure the tea is about room temperature and then put the tea bag on [the bite] for about twenty to thirty minutes. By the second day, the redness should subside. "For a chamomile tea bag, I'd leave it on for about twenty minute or so."
Garlic
After cleaning the bite, Dr. DeCotiis suggests putting fresh garlic on it. In fact, she says it could work well on any wound, in particular to help healing as if it is put on the raw tissue. She recommends leaving it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and then reapplying later on in the day.
By VICKI SALEMI
A mosquito's typical itchy red bites typically last for days but during the height of the summer when you're outdoors 24/7, those days may seem long and weary. After the mosquito bites the human skin and injects saliva, in turn, we experience a bump, itch and of course, the urgency to scratch. Several household remedies are at your fingertips to alleviates those itch-filled days.
Toothpaste
Although it's commonly used for your teeth, toothpaste just got a bit more versatile, moonlighting as a mosquito bite healer. "You could apply it several times a day without any problems," says Betty Pillsbury of GreenSpiralHerbs.com. "Toothpaste [especially peppermint] rubbed on the site of the mosquite bite relieves itching. The peppermint exerts a cooling sensation on hot, inflamed (i.e. bitten) skin," adds Jennifer Crain, a holistic pediatrics specialist.
Epsom Salt
This household item can work wonders. Soak a cotton washcloth in cold water that's been mixed with Epsom salt (two tablespoons per cup) and apply it to the mosquito bite. Another option is to add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a cup of hot water until it dissolves. After the solution has been chilled in the refrigerator for 20 minutes it may be applied to the mosquito bite. "Basically, anything that itches or burns the skin, Epsom salt can soothe," notes Joe Matusic, M.D., a pediatrician in Charleston, W.Va., and an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Charleston division of the West Virginia University School of Medicine
Ice Cubes
What could be more inexpensive and simple than good old-fashioned ice? "The cold ice cube will stop itching immediately" according to Neal Schultz, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist who recently launched DermTV. He says that ice is an extremely effective way to soothe mosquito bite itches. You may apply an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth directly onto the bite every few hours.
Honey
The same way honey is soothing to your sore throat, it is also soothing to your skin. "Honey is good for anything that's irritating," notes Dr. Schultz. "It has all sorts of wonderful qualities due to its anti-inflammatory effects." He recommends diluting honey with one-third's part water and then using a Q-tip to apply it directly to the mosquito bite.
Lemons
Lemons may taste bitter, but they can help shrink swelling and prevent scratching bites due to anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects, says Dr. Schultz, who suggest applying the juice with a cotton swab. If you don't feel like squeezing lemons yourself, you can also use fresh lemon juice as long as it's not from concentrate.
Ammonia
Want to immediately stop the itching sensation from nasty mosquito bites? Applying ammonia will interfere with the conduction of nerve fibers and stop the itching sensation. "Ammonia functions as a nerve anesthetic. Use a Q-tip in the smallest amount and coat the bite with the liquid," explains Dr. Schultz.
Milk
Not just for cereal anymore, doctors say milk has soothing properties. Mix a solution of skim milk using 99 percent milk, with water at room temperature and the protein of the milk will decrease the itching sensation. Dr. Schultz recommends dabbing an old t-shirt or handkerchief in the solution and leaving it on for a few minutes. "This is wonderful to relieve the itching."
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one sure-fire way to simultaneously deal with multiple mosquito bites. Dr. Sue G. DeCotiis, a board-certified medical internist recommends creating a concoction of one-third baking soda and two-thirds water particularly when you have multiple bites. "When you have a lot of bites, get into a bath tub and soak in it for about twenty to thirty minutes." It acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve skin irritation.
Tea
"The herbs could work as an anti-inflammatory," says Dr. DeCotiis. Make sure the tea is about room temperature and then put the tea bag on [the bite] for about twenty to thirty minutes. By the second day, the redness should subside. "For a chamomile tea bag, I'd leave it on for about twenty minute or so."
Garlic
After cleaning the bite, Dr. DeCotiis suggests putting fresh garlic on it. In fact, she says it could work well on any wound, in particular to help healing as if it is put on the raw tissue. She recommends leaving it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and then reapplying later on in the day.