Watch for any of the following warning signs, which should be evaluated by your healthcare professional: Your swelling does not start resolving after a day of antihistamine treatment you have open sores at the bite sites or you have infections involving your eyes or joints. Scratching can result in open sores, which increases the risk of developing staph (Staphylococcus aureus), strep (Streptococcus pyogenes) and other bacterial infections. Treat pain and itching with BENADRYL Extra Strength Itch Relief Stick to help relieve itchy skin from bug bites, rashes, and other minor skin irritations. To prevent infections, try not to scratch itchy bites. Ice can also help to reduce local swelling, if applied shortly after being bitten. With antihistamines, you should be able to treat most mosquito bite reactions at home. The other products provide 24-hour relief. Keep in mind that Benadryl must be taken every six hours to be effective. The best way to prevent mosquito bites naturally is to avoid the bugs themselves and know your own risk. From most to least sedating, these products include diphenhydramine (Benadryl)), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra). Since they are similar in effectiveness, your choice of product can depend on brand preferences and tolerance for side effects. Anti-itch creams can help reduce itching from conditions such as mosquito bites or poison ivy or other rashes. Many antihistamines are now available over the counter. Campho-Phenique Pain & Itch Relief Antiseptic Gel. Depending on the size of the reaction, it may be necessary to repeat the recommended dose for a few days until the swelling subsides. For best relief, I encourage patients with mosquito bite sensitivities to begin taking an antihistamine a few hours before going into an area where they are likely to be bitten. You may use this method for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. They are much more effective at relieving swelling and itching than topical products (including topical antihistamines and calamine lotion). Apply a cold compress or a wet washcloth to small areas of skin that may be itchy due to a rash, bug bite, or burn. Mosquitoes are attracted to smells, such as from sweat, floral scents and exhaled carbon dioxide. The saliva triggers an immune system reaction that results in the classic itching and bump. As a biting mosquito fills itself with blood, it injects saliva into your skin. Everyday Health may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase a featured product or service.If you or your children suffer from these reactions, oral antihistamines are a powerful, but sometimes overlooked, home treatment. Mosquito bites are caused by female mosquitoes feeding on your blood. If you can, try to sleep in an air-conditioned area (versus an open-air room), or consider putting mosquito netting around beds.Īll products and services featured in this article are selected by Everyday Health's commerce team and chosen for their potential to inspire and enable your wellness. Steer clear of standing water, where mosquitoes breed and swarm, and cover up and wear light-colored long sleeves and pants when you’re near an infested area. Know that some mosquito breeds prefer dawn and dusk, while others love the hottest times of the day. Safety: Always dilute Ylang Ylang well to avoid skin irritation. This makes a great DIY mosquito bite remedy Benadryl cream is also available over the counter and great at alleviating itch without systemic side effects when. It’s also calming and soothing in general. They are also attracted to sweet-smelling lotions and perfumes. Ylang Ylang essential oil is very soothing for painful, itching skin irritation. Mosquitoes seem to be especially attracted to larger people and pregnant women. The best way to prevent mosquito bites naturally is to avoid the bugs themselves and know your own risk. The saliva is what causes an allergic reaction, which ultimately results with small, red bumps to appear on the skin. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information on preventive measures you can take before traveling. When a mosquito pierces the skin for blood, it injects its saliva into the host. If you’re in or planning to travel to a tropical area, it’s important to know that mosquito bites also can carry diseases, like Zika, dengue, or chikungunya. Children are more susceptible to large and pesky mosquito bites than adults, and while most bites are harmless, some people have a severe, even life-threatening allergic reaction. While home fixes for mosquito bites allow you to avoid toxic pesticides, mosquito bites can be risky, too. In other words, what you know to be a mosquito bite is not the bite itself, but your body’s allergic reaction to substances that bite leaves behind. The immune system reacts by releasing histamine, which creates a small, itchy bump. While bees and wasps inject venom when they sting, mosquitoes inject a proboscis, which looks like a tiny straw, to suck up tiny amounts of your blood and release anti-clotting agents. When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, mosquito bites seem to be an unavoidable evil, especially in warm, humid weather.
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