We all know how common and annoying a bug bite can be, and when you’re outside having a good time, you definitely want to avoid bugs like mosquitoes as much as possible. Unfortunately, those little pests seem to double every time you kill one, and if you’ve been looking for residential pest control services, you know how common mosquito bites are. Thankfully, they aren’t the end of the world, and there are a few ways to treat and care for mosquito bites that can reduce swelling and itching and help you recover from the insect bites.
Why Do Bites Itch So Much?
Mosquito bites itch so much due to your body’s response to the mosquito’s saliva entering your system. Your body sends histamine and other response cells to the bite location, causing itchiness. Not everyone’s body responds the same to mosquito bites, and some bodies may not react to smaller bites but cause a painful itch for much bigger bites. A body that sends a large amount of histamine to a bite is one experiencing a more severe allergic reaction to the mosquito.
Best Mosquito Bite Remedies
Fortunately, the best ways to care for a mosquito bite involve some common home remedies to reduce inflammation. Mosquito bites go away on their own, so severe infections are not a worry unless you irritate your bite or have a severe allergic reaction.
- Painful Bites – Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help reduce symptoms of more painful bites.
- Cool Compress – A cool compress can help you avoid itching, especially during the first few moments you start feeling the bite.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda mixed with a bit of water can create a paste that has a drying effect and reduces your itch.
- Toothpaste – The cooling properties of toothpaste can help reduce your itch, and all it takes is one dab.
Don’t Irritate Your Bite
The one thing you don’t want to do is irritate your mosquito bite. Once you’re bitten, the process is the same for most people — you’ll itch for a bit, and then the bite will calm down. Mosquito bites become dangerous when you irritate and scratch your bite more, as your body will release more histamine into the area. It’s an unfair process, but you have to resist the urge to irritate your bite.
Infected Bite?
Let’s say you couldn’t resist scratching your itchy red bumps, and your immune system couldn’t protect you against an infected bite. You’ll likely be experiencing a few of these symptoms if you have an infected bite:
- Pus From the Bite
- Bite Warm to the Touch
- Fever or Chills
- Red Streaks on and Near Bite
If your child gets infected by a mosquito, you should have it medically reviewed. Otherwise, if you’re suffering from an infected bite and the symptoms aren’t getting worse, cleaning the affected area daily is sure to help your bite heal.
Soap and water are obviously the best ways to go, and you can apply a skin moisturizer after washing to protect your skin. An oral antihistamine such as Benadryl can help reduce the pain, and a hydrocortisone cream followed by calamine lotion is a good combination for your infected bite. When in doubt, a medical professional can review the condition of your bite.
Best Way to Care For Mosquito Bites? Avoid Them!
The best way to avoid mosquito bites isn’t to handle them after you’re already bitten. A good insect repellant can help, but you can prevent the need to care for mosquito bites if you get rid of them before they cause your body harm. Consider contacting a pest control company in your area for mosquito control services. Go Green Lawn and Pest Control works hard for residents looking for mosquito control in Central MD. Contact us today and take back your lawn!
