As temperatures continue to warm, sunburns aren’t the only seasonal affliction you have to worry about. Mosquito and other insect bites are common summer nuisance that’s likely to be worse this year since the arrival of the Asian tiger mosquito. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that this aggressive breed bites during the daytime, prefers urban areas, and is swarming the country. Fortunately, there are easy ways to combat these itchy bites. From home remedies to over-the-counter cures, following are the best ways to soothe your skin without itching.
1. Use Common Kitchen Items
Rubbing lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or a little bit of salt and water on a bite can quickly make the itching subside. Lemons have the added bonus of being a disinfectant that kills bacteria and helps you avoid infection. Additionally, as if baking soda didn’t have enough uses, add this one to the list: mix the powder with water until it becomes a paste, and apply it directly to the bite. Your itching will stop in a few minutes!
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2. Reach for Everyday Toiletries
Toothpaste is a commonly reference home remedy for mosquito bite itches, and the more minty the toothpaste, the better! Many of the skin receptors that send signals of sensation to the brain—such as itchiness, heat, or cold—can only process one signal at a time. This means that the cooling properties of mint toothpaste can neutralize itch by overriding its signal! In fact, any products that produce warming or cooling sensations (think Gold Bond, Vapo-Rub or Tiger Balm) are also effective!
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3. Turn to the Medicine Cabinet
Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream are the most recommended cures for itchiness. Also, aloe, which you might have on hand for soothing sunburns, is a good alternative—either in the form of gel from the actual plant or from a product featuring aloe. Finally, if your itch really becomes too much to bear, a dose of Benadryl or any comparable antihistamine should stop your scratching, stat!
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4. Try These Tried-and-True Methods
As is the case for many home remedies, some suggestions don’t make a lot of sense, but just plain work. Many swear that putting Scotch tape over a bite stops the itching, and it certainly also prevents you from scratching and irritated the area. There’s also the good old fingernail “X”; use your fingernails to create an X shaped indent in your skin right where the bite is and hope for the best!
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Photos from iStock.comReprinted with permission of Heart Communications, Inc.
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