Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by NonToxicSwaps
Mosquito bites typically are not a cause for concern, but they do leave us with itching and discomfort. Using natural remedies for mosquito bites helps reduce itching and promotes healing without toxic chemical ingredients found in traditional topical treatments. These natural remedies can help ease your discomfort, while also reducing your toxic load.
In addition to treating mosquito bites with natural remedies, we can also use non toxic mosquito repellants to avoid future bites.
What Makes Mosquito Bites Itch?
Female mosquitoes bite both people and animals to drink a tiny amount of blood, which is necessary for them to develop eggs. When mosquitos bite, they leave behind a small amount of saliva. The human immune system reacts by releasing histamine, which causes inflammation at the site of the mosquito bite. This is what causes mosquito bites to itch and may even have a burning sensation. (Source)
Why Use Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Natural remedies are effective at treating the root causes of bothersome mosquito bites. In this case, we want to treat:
- The release of histamine
- The resulting inflammation & itching
To address these issues, people are usually reaching for an over the counter solution. While traditional topical treatments can be effective at reducing these symptoms, they can also include chemical ingredients that are harmful to our overall health. These products typically include added ingredients to the formula such as dyes, fragrances, and preservatives, which are linked to adverse health effects.
Benefits of Using Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Using natural remedies has key benefits such as:
- Reduces your toxic load by eliminating unsafe ingredients.
- Addresses the issue at the root cause
- Can often be cheaper than the over the counter alternative
Why not treat the root cause of an issue with a safer alternative? And if it’s cheaper, it’s a win-win!
Best Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites
These natural remedies can help address the itchiness and inflammation caused by mosquito bites.
1) Lavender oil
Lavender oil has made it to the top of the list due to it’s antihistamine properties. Since histamine is what causes the inflammatory response, a natural antihistamine is effective. Lavender oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. Lavender oil is also known to be calming to the skin.
Not all essential oils are created equally. The average drugstore essential oil is often made with fillers, contaminated with VOCs, and do not contain the pure oil itself. The following Lavender oils are recommended based on their purity:
How to use Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil can be applied directly to the skin. Apply 1-2 drops of lavender oil directly to a bug bite for relief.
2) Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is another great natrual remedy because it can help calm irritation on the skin, and also has anti-inflammatory antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties.
Aloe Vera helps form a cooling, protective layer on the skin, containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to promote skin healing.
It has been found to be just as effective as traditional topical creams.
How to use Aloe Vera: You can use an aloe vera gel like this one, or can apply aloe from an aloe leaf.
3) Ice
Ice will provide the most effective and fastest relief to the site of a mosquito bite. Ice has anti-inflammatory properties which will help bring down the swelling and inflammation. The ice will reduce itching by causing a temporary numbing effect. While it will decrease inflammation, it doesn’t offer healing properties, so it is recommend to follow ice with an additional natural remedy from this list.
How to use Ice: Apply an ice compress to your mosquito bite for fast relief. Place ice cubes or an ice pack in a cloth and apply to the bug bite.
4) Raw Honey
Raw honey is known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. To be an effective remedy, be sure to use unpasteurized, raw honey. Local honey is best, if possible.
How to use honey: Apply a few drops directly to the bite. To avoid a mess, cover with a a cloth or bandage. Leave on for at least 15-20 minutes.
5) Oatmeal
Oatmeal has multiple skincare benefits. When usings for mosquito bites, oatmeal is useful because it contains avenanthramides, which are responsible for oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory properties. (Source)
How to use oatmeal for mosquito bites:
- Add water to oats and let sit until it reaches a paste-like consistency. Apply directly to the mosquito bite.
- Add oats to bathwater to create an oatmeal bath. Be sure to let the oats soak first. It’s recomended to grind the oats up, rather than using whole.
- Instead of griding and mixing oats, keep a Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak on hand. It can be used for a variety of issues like eczema, rashes, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and mild burns.
6) Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which will help reduce swelling and itching.
Essential oils are often filled with fragrance oils and fillers rather than the pure plant oil itself. The following Tea tree oils are recommended based on their purity:
- Plant Therapy Tea Tree Oil – USDA Organic
- DoTerra Tea Tree Oil
How to Use Tea Tree Oil
Add 3-5 drops of tea tree oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. Apply to the mosquito bite.
7) Basil Oil
Basil oil is another essential effective for mosquito bites because it contains a compound called eugenol. Eugenol is “effective against itchiness and rashes” (Source). Basil oil is known for it’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.
As noted earlier, it’s important to use an essential oil that does not contain contaminants and filler oils. These basil oils are recommended due to their purity testing:
How to Use Basil Oil
Add 3-5 drops of Basil Oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive oil.
8) Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is another effective oil for mosquito bites due to it’s antibacterial, anti fungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. It can help calm irritation and reduce the chance of infection.
It’s important to use an essential oil that does not contain contaminants and filler oils. These thyme oils are recommended due to their purity testing:
How to Use Thyme Oil
Add 3-5 drops of thyme oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. Apply directly to the affected area of the skin.
9) Turmeric Oil
Turmeric oil contains curcumin which is an anti-inflammatory. It’s also known for it’s antibacterial, analgesic, antifungal, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antiseptic, and antiviral properties.
Turmeric oil can also be used as a natural insect repellant.
The following turmeric oils are recommended based on their purity testing:
How to Use Turmeric Oil
Add 3-5 drops of Turmeric Oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive oil.
10) Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is cooling to the skin and can help alleviate buring and stiging sensations caused by the mosquito bite. It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and anti-viral properties.
The following peppermint oils are recommended based on their purity testing:
How to Use Peppermint oil
Always mix with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. The oil can be too intense to apply directly. Add 3-5 drops of peppermint oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. Peppermint oil is not recommended for use on children or babies. If you use the DoTerra Peppermint Touch Roll On, the peppermint oil is already pre-mixed and can be rolled on to the skin directly.
11) Baking Soda
Baking soda can help neutralize the pH of the irritated skin, helping to reduce infection. Due to it’s antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties it can help reduce irritation and itchiness.
How to Use Baking Soda for Mosquito Bites
Make a paste of water and baking soda and apply to the bite. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash with water.
12) Vinegar
Vinegar is known for it’s antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties. It can help prevent infection and calm irritation of the site. Keep in mind vinegar is likely to sting. While it may be effective, it may be one of the less comfortable options.
How to Use Vinegar for Mosquito Bites
- Partially soak a cotton ball in vinegar and apply to the bite.
- Add 1-2 cups of vinegar in bath water and soak for 15 minutes.
13) Green Tea Bags
Green tea bags contain antioxidants and polyphenols. Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory capabilities and can help reduce skin irritation and redness. If possible, choose to keep organic tea bags on hand. These tea bags are USDA Organic and available on Amazon. Get them HERE.
How to Use Tea Bags for Mosquito Bites
Steep a green tea bag in hot water. Move it to the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Squeeze out remaining water and apply the teabag to the mosquito bite.
14) Chamomile Tea Bags
Like green tea, chamomile tea bags can ease inflammation and itching due to the components found in the chamomile flower. (Source)
How to Use Chamomile Tea Bags for Mosquito Bites
Steep a chamomile tea bag in hot water. Move it to the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Squeeze out remaining water and apply the teabag to the mosquito bite.
15) Lemon
The antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, and astringent properties of lemon can help reduce risk of infection at the site of a mosquito bite.
Keep in mind, lemon can sting open skin. If the bitten area has been opened even further by scratching, lemon would not be rcommended.
Lemon juice can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun so use this remedy with caution.
While it will likely sting, lemon is an effective way to treat the site of a mosquito bite while also promoting better healing of the skin.
16) Coconut Water
If you have coconut water on hand, it can provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. It’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants that can also help hydrate the skin.
How to Use Coconut Water for Mosquito Bites
Soak a cotton ball with coconut water and apply to the area for at least 15 minutes.
17) Apple Cider Vinegar
The antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar make it another good natural remedy for mosquito bites.
While it may sting compared to other remedies, it’s an effective option.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Mosquito Bites
Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and apply onto the mosquito bite.
18) Toothpaste
If you haven’t yet switched to a non toxic toothpaste, this remedy is not recommended. However, if your non toxic toothpaste contains peppermint, it can help relieve your itchy bug bites.
How to Use Toothpaste for Mosquito Bites
Apply toothpaste directly to the bite. Once it dries, you can wipe away the excess dried toothpaste.
19) Salt
Last but not least, salt can also help relieve the discomfort of a mosquito bite. A paste of salt and water can provide anti-inflammtory and anti-septic propteries.
How to Use Salt for Mosquito Bites
Add just enough water to a small amount of salt to form a paste-like consistency. Sea salt or Himalayan salt is recommended.
How to Naturally Prevent Mosquito Bites
The traditional bug spray contains unsafe ingredients such as DEET, fragrances, parabens, and endocrine disruptors like benzophenone-3.
Here are a few non toxic bug repellant options to keep mosquitos at bay:
Conclusion: Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Natural remedies for mosquito bites can help reduce toxic load while also effectively addressing itching and irritation.
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