How to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching

Co-authored by Sophia Bell Medically reviewed by Jennifer Boidy, RN

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 Approved

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Mosquito bites can be annoying and distracting, but there are several ways to treat them. Deal with the bites when they first occur for best results. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol, an antiseptic wipe, or plain water as soon as you can. Although the itch won’t go away completely until the bite is healed, you can use a variety of products, from lemon juice to aloe, to relieve itching.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Things You Can Find in Your Kitchen

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Honey will soothe the affected area and give you some much needed relief from the itching.^{[1]
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Put apple cider vinegar on the bite. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it over the mosquito bites. Leave it there for several minutes. This should help alleviate the pain.
- Alternatively, you can make a paste out of apple cider vinegar and flour. This will help dry out the bite in addition to soothing the itch with the vinegar. Apply the paste to the affected area and allow it to dry. Wash it off with warm water.^{[2]
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Cut it into pieces and rub gently on the affected area, or just squirt a bit of juice on it. Citric acid has some itch-relieving properties.^{[3]
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Oatmeal is renowned for its anti-itching properties, so make a small paste using ground oatmeal and a little water. Apply it to the bite area, allow the paste to dry, then wash it off.^{[4]
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Mix it in water first before applying. Then let it dry and rinse it off afterwards.^{[5]
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Use baking soda. Mix 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (13.8 g) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of warm water. Gently apply the paste to the affected area. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off with warm water. A strong alkaline solution like this will often ease itching from insect bites.
- Looking for other ways to stop bug bites from itching? Check out wikiHow’s “Itchy bug bites are driving me nuts! How do I make it stop?” forum.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Commercial Products

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Products such as Stingose and After Bite may help to alleviate pain.^{[6]
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Research source}^{[7]
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Research source} Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion may also help reduce itching and swelling.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Follow the instructions accompanying the product. If you can't find one, talk to your pharmacist.
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Make a paste out of aspirin. The aspirin will help relieve the pain and reduce the symptoms of swelling and itching. Naturally, do not use this method if the person is allergic to aspirin.
- Alternatively, make a paste out of Tums tablets. This will also help with the itching.
The alcohol can have a cooling effect, which can temporarily relieve itchiness. It is also drying, which can cause the bites to shrink and reduce swelling.^{[9]
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Dab some toothpaste over the bite area.^{[10]
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Research source} This can work like a charm to relieve itching. Regular flavored toothpaste is the best option for this method. Rub it on and let it dry overnight. Then, wash it off in the morning with cold water and mild soap. The toothpaste will dry the bite out, and may remove irritation.
- Use any non-gel toothpaste. Gel toothpaste is not suitable for this method.
Wash the area using soap and water. Soap may be enough to relieve the itching. Use a mild soap, so as to not dry out the skin and increase irritation.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Herbs and Essential Oils

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Rub aloe vera gel or a broken leaf from an aloe vera plant on the bite area to relieve itching. Aloe is well known for its ability to soothe and heal problematic skin areas.^{[12]
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Fresh basil leaves that are crushed and directly applied to the area also naturally relieve itching symptoms because basil contains thymol and camphor, both of which are natural itch relievers. Basil can also be useful in repelling insects so you don't get any more bites.^{[13]
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Either roll the plantain leaves between your fingers to extract the juice or rub the juicy leaf over the mosquito bite. The itch should go away in less than a minute.^{[14]
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Apply lavender oil. Dabbing small amounts of lavender oil directly on the affected area can relieve the itching quickly.^{[15]
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- Alternatively, try dabbing some witch hazel on the bite.
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Use melaleuca or tea tree (ti-tree) oil. This oil is known as a cure-all for many problems and it can also alleviate the itching from mosquito bites.
- Add a drop of tea tree oil to an ice cold compress of witch hazel. It helps stop the burning feeling and the itch.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Water, Heat, and Pressure

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Not too hard, but firm enough that it distracts the itching for a while.^{[16]
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Take a nice, relaxing warm bath. The addition of strong chickweed tea, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar, or 2 cups (280 g) ground oatmeal to the bath can help to alleviate itching.^{[17]
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- You can even add a few essential oils to that to make the bath not only smell better but to clean the spot and also to soothe the skin.
- Make sure the water isn't too hot, and don't stay in the water longer than 20 minutes, as this can have a drying effect.
Apply an ice pack or ice cubes to the bites. You should leave this on the affected area for about 20 minutes to alleviate the itch.
Let a metal spoon sit in steaming hot water for a minute. Remove the spoon from the water, let it cool for 5 to 10 seconds, and press it onto your mosquito bite. Hold it there for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat a couple of times while the water is still hot, and do this several times daily until your bite is healed.

Join the Discussion...

Itchy bug bites are driving me nuts! How do I make it stop?

17

WikiFerretCatcher982

Okay, I’m kind of losing my mind here. I love hiking and spending time outside but it feels like every mosquito in the state wants my blood. Iâ... Read More

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

So with a mosquito bite, what's happening is that your body's defense system (the histamines) is reacting to the mosquitoâs saliva. Mosquitoes... Read More

WikiEmuCaster590

To me, the best feeling in the world is just holding an ice cube over an itchy mosquito bite. It wonât permanently solve your problems, but if... Read More

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Question

Do I have to leave toothpaste on overnight?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

It works best if left on the bite for the equivalent of and overnight sleep, so if you prefer, you could apply it and leave it on for about eight hours during the day.

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Question

What if I don't have any of the creams or other things listed in the article?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Try using a cool compress with a wet washcloth. Alternatively, you can try a warm compress.

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Tips

Avoid getting bitten by taking preventative measures: avoid going outside when mosquitos are most active (dusk and dawn), put screens in windows and promptly repair tears, wear long-sleeves and pants, or use an insect repellant containing DEET, Icaridin (also called picaridin), or oil of lemon eucalyptus.^{[18]
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Lavender deters them. Put some lavender oil in a diffuser near your bed if you’re getting bit in the night, or just rub some of the oil on you before going outside.

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You might react to mosquitoes from a different place more than your original hometown. There are many species of mosquitoes, so you may react to the bites of some species more than others.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Putting some aftershave on the bite before bed can reduce the itch and speed up healing time. In the morning, just remove the remaining aftershave with warm soapy water.
This may sound weird, but eat a banana and hold the peel up to the bite. You can also rub the peel around a bit.
Make sure you use the right toothpaste if you try the toothpaste method! Gel toothpaste will not be effective.
Use clear nail varnish. Something in the nail varnish stops the itching and takes down the swelling.

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Warnings

If you think you are allergic to mosquito bites (your bites start swelling immediately), discuss oral antihistamine options with your doctor.

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Mosquitoes carry certain serious diseases that can be passed to humans, such as West Nile Virus, Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. It is important to take protective measures so you avoid getting bitten.

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If your itching doesn't stop and the sores aren't healing, see your doctor. Skin that appears inflamed or infected requires medical treatment.

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Whatever you do, don't scratch or rub your bites. This will make the itching worse.

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See a doctor promptly if you develop a fever, headache, body aches, or other signs of infection.^{[19]
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