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If you enjoy outdoor activities in the summertime, there’s a good chance you’re going to get a mosquito bite or two in your lifetime. While these bites can be itchy and irritating, the good news is that they usually go away on their own in 2 or 3 days. In the meantime, there are a few methods you can try to reduce irritation and itchiness so your mosquito bite goes away faster.

1

Try not to scratch.

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  1. 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.[1]
    • If your child has mosquito bites that they can’t stop scratching, cut their nails short so they can’t scratch it as easily.
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3

Hold an ice pack over the bite.

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  1. 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.[3]
    • 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.
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5

Cover the bite with a baking soda paste.

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  1. 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.[5]
    • 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.
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9

Take an oral antihistamine.

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11

Call your doctor if the bite gets infected.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    I have over 20 mosquito bites. How do I treat them quickly?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    When you get a lot of bites at one time, the most effective treatments are anti-itch creams, such as calamine, hydrocortisone, and Benadryl. If the over-the-counter creams aren't helping you may need to try an oral Benadryl. A hot shower may sound nice, but it's best to take cooler showers to prevent the itching from getting worse.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of mosquito bites on my face?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    An over-the-counter anti-itch cream (calamine, hydrocortisone, and Benadryl) and ice are the most effective treatments, especially for the face where the skin is more sensitive. It may be best for you to avoid oils or products that may irritate your skin, such as essential oils or apple cider vinegar. Keep your face clean using cool water and avoid scratching as best as possible to prevent increasing the itch cycle and breaking the skin.
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  • This might sound weird, but rubbing the inside of a banana peel on your mosquito bites really helps! I woke up yesterday with 14 bites on the my left foot which hurt and itched badly. Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the bites made it so much better.
  • Put minty toothpaste on it and cover it with a band-aid. Don't try this with the gel version of toothpaste, you'll need the paste. The mint in the toothpaste will numb the itch, and the band-aid will prevent you from scratching or irritating the bite.
  • Vick's Vapo Rub will take away the itching in a few seconds.
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About This Article

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Registered Nurse
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. This article has been viewed 3,352,460 times.
59 votes - 81%
Co-authors: 205
Updated: August 29, 2024
Views: 3,352,460
Categories: Bites and Stings

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

If you have a mosquito bite that you need to get rid of, wash the bite with soap and cold water as soon as possible. Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the bite to help alleviate any itching. For a more natural remedy, soak the bite in water and Epsom salt or cover it with a paste made from baking soda. If the mosquito bite is painful or swollen, hold an ice pack on top of the area for about 10 minutes. Keep reading for tips from our medical reviewer on how to prevent mosquito bites!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,352,460 times.

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    May 21, 2017

    "I loved the methods about home remedies, because I don't always have time to get something from the store...." more
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