Home Remedies to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites Overnight

Why home remedies for mosquito bites?

Mosquito bites are very uncomfortable and severely affect your work life and mental state for the time being. They cause excessive itching, with redness and form swollen bumps which on scratching can damage your skin and cause infection.

There are many commercial medicines and treatments you can use but since it can happen every other night and so we here we are gonna provide you with some effective home remedies to get rid of mosquito bites overnight.

As we know mosquito bites itch due to release of histamines as an immune response reaction to mosquito saliva that it injects in our skin while biting. This histamine causes inflammation around the mosquito bite area to protect from any foreign compounds.

So, we need those things that can reduce the inflammation, soothe the irritated skin and prevent further itching. These things can be available at your home which can give you relief from mosquito bites, at no extra cost.

Home remedies to treat mosquito bites

Below are the most claimed, tried and tested effective home remedies for mosquito bites, without any need for medical intervention:

Most common household items easily available at home:

1. Cold compress or Ice pack

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Instant relief
Repetition:	Need to apply every hour as it gives instant but temporary relief.

Ice packs, crushed ice or cold compress can cause numbness in the mosquito bite area. It constricts the blood vessels and prevents the spread of histamine. We don’t feel much and it helps in distracting our focus. Also, the urge to scratch fades away immediately. The relief is instant, in no time your itching will disappear and you can sit relaxed.

But this is a temporary relief and soon after some time you will again experience the itching and irritation. Thus, the ice pack/cold compress treatment gives temporary but instant relief.

2. Tooth paste

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Quick relief from soreness, while discomfort may take more time to go.
Repetition:	Need to reapply, gives long lasting relief. May not be useful in case of multiple bites with extreme discomfort.

Toothpaste can be very effective home remedy, preferably those that contains menthol and baking soda. Just apply it directly on the mosquito bites and it will give relief from soreness and itching, not instant but very soon. It is an effective anti-microbial and antiseptic which can protect from infections and soothe irritations.

As, toothpaste is available at every home and easily accessible, you can depend on it for mosquito bite relieving. It is advisable to use non-gel based toothpaste for mosquito bites, and it must have menthol or peppermint flavor which cools down the bite area and helps in soothing the irritation. The baking soda content of a toothpaste will help in soothing inflamed skin by neutralizing the pH of skin after mosquito bite.

3. Baking soda

Effectiveness:	⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Not much relief from discomfort. There may be some reduction in swelling and redness. But itching and irritation shows not much improvement.
Repetition:	No need to reapply again. Its more specifically useful in skin neutralizing and reducing the swelling and bumps.

Baking soda is alkaline in nature and neutralizes the acidic reaction of mosquito saliva and pH of skin which is required for soothing the inflammation, and it also reduces the swelling, redness and itching. You have to prepare a paste of baking soda by mixing it with water.

Apply a thick layer of baking soda paste on the mosquito bite area, allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes. After it gets dried wash it off with plenty of water.

4. Honey with Turmeric

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Not instant, will take some time to soothe the irritating skin, but effects will be positive with complete healing of skin and bruises if any.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 4 to 6hrs, as it heals the skin and bruises due to scratching.

Turmeric has natural healing properties and used widely for treating many skin ailments and damages. Turmeric contains curcumin which helps in soothing the itchiness. Turmeric and honey are both anti-oxidants and helps in wounds and skin damages to heal faster.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and sugar in honey prevents multiplying of bacteria and thus prevents infection to spread.

While making a turmeric and honey paste you can add rosewater to increase its effectiveness against burning sensation and irritation, as rosewater provides a cooling effect and helps in soothing the bite area more quicker. Apply the mixture of honey with turmeric and rosewater directly on skin and keep it for 30 to 60 minutes and then wash it off.

5. Coconut oil

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow but quiet effective. It doesn’t heal the healing process is compensated by the immune system of our body. It does not only soothes the skin but also nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 4 to 6hrs, as it heals the skin and bruises due to scratching.

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and it is also helps in moisturizing dry skin, thus it is best for treating mosquito bites in babies. It forms a protective layer on skin and prevents further urges to scratching, and therefore prevents any infection.

It is to be applied directly on skin, take few drops around the mosquito bite area and spread with your finger. Not instant, but it will help to fade away the mosquito bite itching.

6. Vinegar

Effectiveness:	⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow and not that effective. The skin heals itself even if it is not applied. The benefit is just as it is a disinfectant and only prevents from any infection.
Repetition:	Yes, you can reapply, if you have severely scratched and there’s skin damage which may catch infection.

Apple Cider Vinegar is easily available at home. Although being acidic in nature, it reduces the itching very well and it is also known for its anti-septic properties and a natural disinfectant which will help you from infections if you are scratching a lot.

Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and apply it directly on skin. If your skin is sensitive than you may dilute it as needed. it will balance the skin pH and help you get relief from irritation and burning sensation.

Household items that are easily available at a chemist or a grocery store or market near you:

7. Cucumber slices

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Quick relief from itching and soreness. It keeps the skin hydrated and wet and therefore the urge of scratching is not there.
Repetition:	You may apply after every 2 to 3hrs as this will distract you from the irritating skin. However, not that useful as you can’t sleep having those on your skin and need to stay awake.

Cucumber slices reduces the itching sensation of the mosquito bite as it cools down the irritation and hydrates the skin for faster healing. Place chilled cucumber slices over the mosquito bite area or rub it gently. This will help in quick relief from mosquito bite itching.

8. Aloe Vera

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Not instant, will take some time to soothe the irritating skin, but effects will be positive with complete healing of skin and bruises if any. Have many other skin benefits apart from this.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 6 to 8hrs, as it promotes healthy skin growth and protects from infection during healing of bruises and wounds.

Aloe Vera is the most important home remedy and should be at the top of this list, but it is not ready available in your home every time. Also, it is to be used fresh always, so just don’t store in your fridge.

Aloe Vera has anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. and is great for your skin as it contains not only Vitamin E, but more than 75 helpful compounds for skin that helps in skin damage, irritation, inflammation, redness, swelling, bruises, stretch marks, sun damage, ageing, tanning, etc. It is extremely good for healthy skin growth and healing of skin tissues.

Take a freshly cut Aloe Vera leaf and split it to get the gel, and directly apply it on the skin. Apply a thick layer of Aloe Vera gel on the bite area and rub it for some time to penetrate the skin. Keep it for 20 minutes and then wash it off or wipe it with a wash cloth.

9. Basil leaves

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow and not that effective. The skin heals faster when it is applied and protects from infection.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 6 to 8hrs.

Basil contains helpful compounds like camphor and thymol which helps in skin healing and relieves itching. Take fresh basil leaves and crush them and make a paste. Apply it over the mosquito bites and rub it gently for few minutes. This will relieve the skin irritation and inflammation.

10. Oatmeal paste

Effectiveness:	⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow and not that effective.
Repetition:	No need to reapply as its effectiveness is not convincing enough.

Oatmeal contains anti-irritants and anti-inflammatory compounds that soothes skin irritation, redness and swelling. You can make a paste by mixing oatmeal with water and apply it on the affected area, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and than wash it off. If there are multiple bites you can take an oatmeal bath.

11. Chamomile tea

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow but quiet effective. It relieves itching and discomfort due to mosquito bites.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 4 to 6hrs.

Chamomile has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is being used by our ancestors. It helps in itching and inflammation due to mosquito bites.

Take some chamomile tea bags and boil in water as you make chamomile tea. Steep in boiling water for few minutes and remove the tea bag, cool down and place it over the bite area. Or take a wash clothe and dip in chamomile tea and rub off on the affected area.

13. Lemon Balm

Effectiveness:	⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
Time to relief:	Slow but quiet effective. It relieves itching and discomfort due to mosquito bites.
Repetition:	Need to reapply again after 6 to 8hrs.

Lemon balm is herbal plant that contains mint and provides a cooling sensation when applied. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, and helps in swelling and itching due to mosquito bites.

Crush fresh lemon balm leaves and apply it directly on the skin. This will help in faster healing of skin bruises caused due to excess scratching and gives protection from infection.

14. Over the counter creams and lotions

Anti-histamines, anti-itch creams, corticosteroids, hydro cortisones, and calamine lotions, etc. like this there are many commercial products available that you can get easily from any chemist or general store. These are helpful in reducing inflammation, itching and soreness. They helps in soothing irritation and gives you the needed quality sleep after getting irritated with mosquitoes at night.

They contains anti-septic and disinfectants with anti-microbial and anti-fungal compounds and thus further prevents from infection and mosquito bite scars which is very difficult to get rid of and may leave permanent scar.

Other known home remedies that have been claimed to provide relief from mosquito bites but not in use much, and therefore you can skip those:

• Concentrated heat
• Garlic paste
• Lemon or lime juice
• Minced or sliced Onions
• Camphor
• Tea Tree oil
• Peppermint oil
• Arnica
• Witch hazel
• Thyme

Effective remedy at home for overnight mosquito bite relief

No any single treatment can give you a complete reliable solution and effectiveness as desired, and so we advise you to follow some steps and use a mix of above methods to get effective results against mosquito bites.

How to get rid of mosquito bites overnight

It is not possible to have all the above methods tested by yourself. We can provide you a more simpler approach for home based treatment of mosquito bites as below:

Step #1: Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water. Soap contains alkali and will neutralize the skin pH.

Step #2: Apply an Ice pack or crushed ice, that will give instant relief from burning sensation with itching and soreness.

Step #3: Apply Aloe Vera gel on the mosquito bite area and leave it for 20 minutes, than wash it with water.

Step #4: Take few drops of coconut oil and rub it on mosquito bite area. Than apply few more drops of coconut oil and keep the skin oily and go to sleep.

The above steps are not very hard and difficult and don’t guarantee any immediate relief from mosquito bites. These are home made remedies and should not be relied upon in severe cases.

Conclusion

The mosquito bites are generally harmless and gets healed on its own. The swelling and redness can go away within 24hrs, while itching and irritation with discomfort may lasts a few longer. For any mild discomfort and itching it is advisable to apply ice packs that will help you with instant relief.

For any major discomfort and itching you can try any tried and tested home remedies like Aloe Vera gel, coconut oil, basil leaves, oatmeal paste, vinegar, etc. And if you are not concerned about using commercial products that may contain synthetic compounds, than you can use anti-itch creams, anti-histamines, or calamine lotions, etc.

By using any of the above remedies the discomfort can be relieved to a great extent and it will definitely help you to get rid of mosquito bites overnight.