Avoid the itch: Your guide to mosquito bites

Home from a lakeside bonfire with friends, you crawl into bed and find that your legs just won’t stop itching.

That’s when you discover the mosquitoes have struck. Before scratching yourself into a scar, read through our guide to mosquito bites, including tips for easing the itch and at-home treatment.

How to tell it’s a mosquito bite

Mosquito bites are small, raised bumps on the skin that appear almost immediately after you’re bit and may grow in size over the following 24 hours. You’re likely to experience itching, swelling and irritation at the bite spot — your immune system will respond to the mosquito saliva entering the bloodstream as if it’s an allergen.

If the spot becomes large, swollen or rash-like, or if you experience swelling around the eyes, seek immediate care.

Stop the itch

As tempting as it may be, don’t scratch!

Scratching too much or too hard can break the skin barrier and put you at risk for infection. If you do break the skin, clean the area immediately using soap and water and cover with a bandage. Over-scratching can also lead to long-term scarring.

How can you find relief, then?

• Try an over-the-counter antihistamine (pill, cream or ointment). The medication will counteract your body’s histamine response to the mosquito saliva, which causes the itching.
• A hydrocortisone cream/ointment can provide relief to both itching and swelling when applied externally to a bug bite.
• Just like you would for an injury, try icing the mosquito bite for 10 minutes to reduce inflammation, pain and itching.
• Create an oatmeal paste (a natural anti-irritant) using equal parts oatmeal and water and apply to the irritated skin for 10 minutes. Or pour one cup of oatmeal into a warm bath and soak your body for 20 minutes.
• Aloe vera gel can provide itch and pain relief when applied directly to the bite.

Best ways to prevent a bite

Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell and taste of the human body. Your best protection if you can’t avoid being around them is to hide what attracts them.

DEET is the gold-standard ingredient for insect repellent, according to the Washington Poison Center. It’s been in use since the 1950s and has not been found to cause environmental or health damage.

You can use DEET in both spray or cream form to cover the skin, or on top of clothing to mask your smell.

Can’t find a DEET-based product? Look for options with the primary active ingredients picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

If you find yourself in a mosquito-heavy area empty-handed, try some other options to reduce your attractiveness and risk for bites:

• Your clothing matters. Go for light-colored clothing that’s loose and thick. Mosquitoes are more attracted to darker clothes and can easily penetrate thin, skin-tight layers.
• Stay clean and cool. Mosquitoes can easily pick up on perfumes (especially floral scents), sweat and body temperature spikes.
• Use a mosquito net in your space. Whether in tent style at your campground or around your windows in the summer, nets can be useful to keep mosquitoes out of your space.
• Put those herbs and plants to use. Some natural mosquito repellents include lemongrass, basil and lavender. Strategically place the plants around your space to repel the bug.

But, of course, the best way to avoid a bite is to avoid hanging around stagnant bodies of water.

Medical review provided by Victoria Henrikson, ARNP, DNP, MultiCare Capital Primary Care.