How to Get Rid of a Mosquito Bite

Try not to scratch.

Scratching can cause a mosquito bite to get infected. An infected mosquito bite takes a lot longer to go away, so do your best to avoid scratching your bites. They're pretty itchy so it can be tough, but we're going to share tons of tricks to help you deal with that! Distracting yourself with other activities can also help get your mind off the itchiness. If your child has mosquito bites that they can’t stop scratching, cut their nails short so they can’t scratch it as easily.

Wash the bite with soap and water.

Try to do this as soon as you notice the bite. Use cool water to reduce the swelling and itching. If you have a lot of mosquito bites all over your body, take a cool shower and wash the area with body wash or soap.

Hold an ice pack over the bite.

Icing the mosquito bite soothes itchiness and swelling. Grab an ice pack or a bag of ice cubes in a kitchen towel and place it over the affected area for 10 minutes or so. This helps with the itchy feeling and also reduces the swelling a bit so the bite doesn't look so irritated. If you don’t have any ice handy, use a cool washcloth instead. You can do this a couple times a day any time your mosquito bite gets swollen or itchy.

Apply calamine lotion to the bite.

You can also use a hydrocortisone (anti-itch) cream. Just dab a small amount of either product directly over the bite to soothe the inflamed skin. It's safe to do this 3-4 times a day until your symptoms go away. Buy these products at your local drugstore. Be sure to read the label and follow the instructions on the back!

Cover the bite with a baking soda paste.

Baking soda can help relieve irritation and itchiness. To make a baking soda paste, mix 3 teaspoons (15 mL) of baking soda with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of water. Apply the paste to your bite, wait 10 minutes, and then wash it off with cool water. Do this a few times a day until your bite goes away. This is a great alternative if you can’t find calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream.

Rub aloe vera over the area.

Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes inflamed skin. Pick up an aloe vera gel from your local drugstore and gently rub it over your mosquito bite. Leave it on your skin until it soaks in to reduce redness and irritation. It's not super common, but aloe vera can cause skin irritation in some people. If your skin gets red or rashy after you apply the gel, rinse it off with cool water right away.

Use witch hazel to reduce redness.

Witch hazel has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties. Squirt a small amount of the liquid on a cotton round or swab and gently pat it over the bite. You can buy witch hazel extract at most drugstores. Studies on the effectiveness of witch hazel have shown mixed results. It certainly won't hurt to try it, though! It's a natural and gentle astringent.

Try an Epsom salt soak.

Epsom salts can help soothe and relieve pain and itchiness. Fill a bathtub with cold or room temperature water and add Epsom salts as directed on the package. Soak in the bath for 30 minutes to an hour, keeping the affected area submerged the entire time. Studies on the effectiveness of using Epsom salt for insect bites aren't clear. However, there’s no harm in trying it out to see if it works for you.

Take an oral antihistamine.

An OTC antihistamine can relieve swelling and itching around the bite. Head to your local drugstore and pick up an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton. Follow the dosage instructions on the back to relieve your symptoms and reduce the need to itch. If you’re treating a young child with a mosquito bite, talk to their doctor before giving them any medication.

Reduce itching with firm pressure.

You can use a small object to get some relief. If the itchiness is getting tough to deal with, press a small object like a pen cap or a penny directly onto the bite. Hold it there for 10 seconds, then let go. You should feel a little bit of relief, but you can do this as many times as you need to. You can also press your fingernail into the bite. Most mosquito bites itch for 3 to 4 days.

Call your doctor if the bite gets infected.

Infected bites need to be treated with antibiotics. If you think your bite might be infected, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor. Generally, mosquito bites that stick around for longer than 4 or 5 days need medical attention. Other warning signs of an infection include: Redness that streaks beyond the initial bite Swollen lymph nodes Chills Pus Bite feels warm to the touch Fever