Aloe Vera, a Natural Remedy for Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are very itchy and can be very painful with continuous irritation and inflammation, and intolerable urge to scratching. Aloe Vera is helpful in many skin related issues like infection, redness, inflammation, sunburn, dry skin, skin damage, etc., but does it really helps in mosquito bites?

Does Aloe Vera help in mosquito bites?

Yes, Aloe Vera can help in soothing discomfort due to mosquito bites. Aloe Vera contains many helpful skin ingredients that is beneficial for our skin. It contains, Vitamin A, C and E, collagen and elastin, minerals, salicylic acid, amino acids, enzymes, etc.

In addition to these, it contains two main components, Glycoproteins and Polysaccharides. Glycoproteins have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in healing skin and inflammation. While the Polysaccharides are helpful in increasing the collagen and elastin synthesis around the wound or scars, and thus helps in skin repair and growth.

Active compounds in Aloe Vera helpful for our skin

Aloe Vera contains more than 75 helpful compounds (Vitamins, anti oxidants, dietary fibers, lipids, enzymes, sugars, minerals, hormones, amino acids, etc.) that promotes healthy skin growth and repair, by healing any wound or skin damage. The most beneficial components of Aloe Vera for our skin are given in the table below:

List of Aloe Vera components and their properties:

Sr. No.:	Compounds	Active Components	Beneficial Properties
1.	Vitamins and Anti oxidants	– Vitamins A, C and E (which are Anti oxidants) – Vitamin B12 – Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) – Choline (Vitamin B Complex)	Anti oxidants helps in neutralizing free radicals. Vitamin B, folic acid, Choline helps with skin damage, ageing, skin dryness, acne, etc.
2.	Enzymes	– alkaline phosphatase – amylase – bradykinase – carboxypeptidase – catalase – cellulase – lipase – peroxidase	Breadkinase is helpful against inflammation. Others are helpful in breakdown of sugars and fats.
3.	Minerals	– calcium – chromium – copper – selenium – magnesium – manganese – potassium – sodium – zinc	Minerals helps in proper functioning of enzyme systems and metabolic processes. Few minerals act as anti-oxidants.
4.	Sugars	– monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) – polysaccharides (glucomannans/polymannose) – glycoproteins	Polysaccharides promotes skin repair and growth by increasing collagen and elastin production. The glycoproteins has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties.
5.	Laxatives	Anthraquinones (Phenolic compounds)	12 phenolic compounds that are laxative in nature. Out of which Aloin and emodin are analgesics, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
6.	Fatty Acids	– cholesterol – campesterol – β-sisosterol – lupeol	They all have anti-inflammatory action, while Lupeol also has anti-septic and analgesic properties.
7.	Hormones	– Auxins – gibberellins	Wound healing and anti inflammatory properties.
8.	Amino Acids	– alanine – arginine – aspartic acid – glutamic acid – glycine – histidine – hydroxyproline – isoleucine – leucine – lysine – methionine – phenylalanine – proline – threonine – tyrosine – valine	It provides 7 out of 8 essential amino acids and 20 out of 22 required amino acids.
9.	Salicylic Acid		It has anti inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It relieves itching and pain.
10.	Lignin		It is inert and has no direct effect, but helps with skin penetration of other substances.
11.	Saponins		Saponins helps in skin cleansing and also have anti-septic properties.

How Aloe Vera is beneficial in healing mosquito bites?

Aloe Vera helps in following ways for mosquito bites:

1. It reduces inflammation

The anti-inflammatory compounds in Aloe Vera helps in calming the redness and swelling around mosquito bites. The excessive histamine production below the skin around mosquito bites is controlled with anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera gel when applied topically direct on the skin.

2. It reduces itching

It gives a cooling sensation thereby reducing itching instantly. The excessive urge to scratching is reduced and prevents scarring of mosquito bites. Its a natural remedy for quick relief against itching and irritation.

3. It soothes and relieves irritation

Due to its cooling sensation and anti-inflammatory properties, the redness and irritation around mosquito bites starts healing.

4. It heals damage skin

The skin regeneration process is faster with the help of Aloe Vera. It helps in healing any skin damage and scratch marks or peeling-off of skin, or nail marks around mosquito bites and promotes healthy skin growth. It helps to repair the skin tissues with increased production of elastin, which provides better tear strength to the new skin tissues.

5. It prevents infection

Aloe Vera has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and therefore it protects damage skin or wounds to catch any infection. It also relieves from any excessive scratching and irritation which can further damage wounds that may attract infections later.

How to use Aloe Vera for mosquito bites?

Aloe Vera can be effectively used for mosquito bites in various ways as below:

1. Using fresh-cut Aloe Vera leaf

• Cut a fresh leaf of Aloe Vera from the plant.
• Slice it in between to open and extract the Aloe Vera gel from inside the leaf.
• Apply the gel directly on the mosquito bite area, no need to wrap or cover.
• Allow 30 minutes and let it dry naturally.
• Reapply 2 to 3 times in a day for faster healing.

2. Using commercially available Aloe Vera gel

• Buy any organic Aloe Vera gel without any chemical additives or fragrances, available in any store or chemist.
• Clean the skin with water and dry it completely.
• Now, apply the gel on the mosquito bite area.
• Leave it for 30 minutes, and rinse it later if required.
• Repeat, 2 to 3 times for faster recovery.

Other effective methods for healing mosquito bites

Besides Aloe Vera there are many other well known and popular natural home remedies for mosquito bites:

1. Cinnamon and honey

Applying raw honey directly on the bite can also give relief from itching. However ,the mixture of cinnamon and honey has anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in reducing itching and prevent scarring of mosquito bites. They are easily available in almost every household and stores.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is applied on skin in form of paste, prepared by mixing it with small amount of water. It reduces the skin pH and gives relief from itching. It also reduces swelling and irritation. Apply the paste and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it off with excess of water.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

The acidic nature of Apple Cider Vinegar (due to presence of acetic acid), cleanses and neutralizes the mosquito bite area and protect from infections. It also relieves the itching and burning sensation by neutralizing the venom from mosquito bites.

4. Lemon or lime

The citric acid content in lemon can help in relieving itching. But you need to apply freshly cut lemon on the bite. Don’t apply on cuts and bruises. Lemon is effective only when it is applied just after a mosquito bites, and not when you have already scratched the bite.

4. Toothpaste

The menthol or mint present in toothpaste can provide a cooling sensation and helps you in avoiding scratching the bite. It is an effective anti-microbial, anti septic, and disinfectant and therefore prevents any bacterial infection. Toothpaste alone can provide relief from soreness, redness, swelling and itching in mosquito bites.

5. Oatmeal paste

Oatmeal contains gluten which helps in soothing skin irritation after mosquito bites. It also contains anti-irritant compounds that helps in reducing itching and swelling.

6. Turmeric with rose water

Turmeric is an anti-septic and helps with effective relief from insects and bug bites. The rose water has cooling properties and when a mixture is prepared using turmeric and rose water and applied on skin, it protects from bacteria and infections. It also promotes skin repair and prevent scarring.

6. Tea Tree oil

Tea tree oil is an anti-septic and it also prevent infections from excessive scratching. Dilute it with water or any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply on bite area.

6. Minced or sliced onions

The quercetin in onion is an anti-inflammatory compound and helps in relieving irritation. The onion can be used in either minced form or slices. Just place over the affected area and allow 20 to 30 minutes to get some relief.

7. Ice packs or cold cucumber slices

Ice pack is very beneficial for quick relief from irritation. They provide instant cooling sensation and relief from swelling and itching. As soon as mosquito bites, you need to immediately wash the area with soap and apply ice pack to prevent severe swelling and any further rise in irritation. You can also place cucumber slices which is equally effective in mosquito bites.

Conclusion

Aloe Vera is a natural and very effective home remedy for mosquito bites. It has got number of beneficial compounds that heals, repairs, and promotes healthier skin growth. Fresh Aloe Vera gel is the most beneficial form and must be applied directly on the skin.

There are many skin benefits that Aloe Vera provides us, and therefore you must have Aloe Vera plant handy in your balcony or backyard. It should be used frequently for many other skin issues like sun damage, tanning, dry skin, ageing with wrinkles, pregnancy stretch marks, etc.

As far as treating severe mosquito bites, you must use anti-itch creams and lotions. And if it is very severe, we advise you to consult a physician.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)