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Natural Mosquito Bite Remedies

aloe vera

While we make great efforts to prevent mosquito bites from happening, it's inevitable that we will experience uncomfortable bites from time to time. It's especially disheartening to see the discomforts of young children who can't refrain from scratching their itchy bites.

Dr. Neal B. Schultz, a board-certified dermatologist explains, "The mosquito is injecting a material into your skin that causes inflammation, which is redness, swelling, tenderness and heat. That then becomes an itch." And the obvious impulse is to scratch away, which can result in broken skin and lead to a possible infection.

So, what to do when you or your child needs a respite from the waves of itchiness? As some parents can relate, reaching for some anti-histamine medication is tempting. Yet, if you're looking to avoid the drowsy effects of anti-histamines, a recent Huffington Post article suggested several natural forms of relief:

  • Ice pack: Ice numbs the nerves so you don't have the feeling of itch or pain. It also helps reduce swelling. We recommend the sweat free ice pack that is made from 100% RECYCLED BPA-Free Plastic Bottles/Petspun and the inside is a non-toxic, reusable ice pack. Of course this is great to keep in the freezer for any bumps and bruises as well.
  • Tea tree essential oil: Tea Tree acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it can combat itching, swelling and pain, and it also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that can help prevent infection at the site of the bite. Lavender essential oil also helps reduce swelling, stop the itching, and can help prevent infection.
  • Peppermint (+minty toothpaste): Because the mint causes a cooling sensation, this "gets to the brain faster than the itching," according to Schultz. He explains, "Because the brain can only process one sensation at a time, cooling agents are often added to skin products to act as "counter-irritants"  which prevent and block other sensations, like itching. A few drops of peppermint essential oil (mixed with a carrier oil) is a terrific way to cool off the itch. A dab of minty natural toothpaste will also do the trick!
  • Aloe: Even though aloe is a go-to form of sunburn rellief, it also works amazingly well on insect bites. Aloe helps with swelling and soothes the irritated skin. We love Aubrey Organic's aloe vera because it's pure, straight-from-the-leaf aloe. We also chose to stock this aloe because it contains no chemical thickeners, preservatives or parabens.

Other natural remedies suggested were:

Apple cider vinegar, Honey, Tea Bags, Baking soda, Witch Hazel, Basil, Lemon +Lime, Banana Peel, Milk+Water AND Slapping/Pinching!

What are your remedies for relieving the itch of a mosquito bite?