How to Get Rid of Itching Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are an inevitable part of outdoor activities, especially during the summer time. When mosquitoes draw blood from the body, they also inject their saliva. This saliva acts as an anti-coagulant and creates an allergic histamine response in the body. This response is beneficial, as it prevents most diseases that are spread by mosquitoes, such as the West Nile virus. However, this same response also causes the bites to itch.

Things You'll Need

• Topical corticosteroid
• Oral antihistamines
• Ivory soap
• Ammonia
• Rubbing alcohol
• Scotch tape
• Ice

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply any topical corticosteroid to the bite area. Skin cells absorb the corticosteroids, which stop them from producing chemicals that cause inflammation.

• 2

  Take oral antihistamines if directed by a physician. Antihistamines stop histamines from attaching to cells. When histamines attach to cells they make the cells leak fluid; this irritates the area with which they come in contact.

• 3

  Rub a dry bar of ivory soap over the bite. Ivory soap is 99 percent pure, which makes it more harsh than most of the soaps that use moisturizers and additives to help smooth skin. The harshness of the soap actually helps to combat the bite by drying it out and speeding the healing process.

• 4

  Rub ammonia or rubbing alcohol on the bite. Then, put a piece of scotch tape over the bite. Ammonia, rubbing alcohol and scotch tape work in ways similar to the Ivory soap. Ammonia and rubbing alcohol are both drying agents and dry out the bite. Scotch tape acts as a simple barrier to keep you from scratching the bite as it dries out.

• 5

  Ice the bite area. Ice helps to calm the stinging or itching that the bite causes. Ice numbs the skin and reduces swelling in the area. This causes immediate relief of the itching, albeit not complete relief, while helping to heal the area.