Relieving mosquito bites: Home remedies that’ll keep itching at bay

Ever wondered how to treat mosquito bites at home? After a summer picnic, you might get home to find a mosquito has made a picnic out of you. If one of these little predators has bitten you and you don’t have any specialist products for treating mosquito bites, there is an easy way to find a home treatment for mosquito bites using things you have around the home.

Tips for effective mosquito bite relief

Mosquito bites are usually hard to miss. Often, you hear the faint, high-pitched buzzing before you feel anything at all, followed by an itchy bump that seems to appear out of nowhere. These tiny bites are the result of a mosquito piercing the skin to feed, leaving behind saliva that can cause redness, swelling, and irritation.¹ While most bites are harmless, the itching can be incredibly distracting and uncomfortable - especially when you’re trying to relax after a long day outdoors.

If a mosquito strikes, there are plenty of things you can try at home to help soothe any itching or irritation. With that in mind, here are some simple homemade remedies for mosquito bites. 

1. The simplest mosquito bite remedy: ice^2,3

Ice is the best home remedy for mosquito bites if you don’t have much to hand – all you need is a simple ice cube. Cold temperatures help to reduce inflammation and swelling,² making ice perfect for red, puffy, angry mosquito bites.³

To use ice on a mosquito bite, wrap an ice cube in a clean, strong tissue and gently hold it on the bite.³ You’ll feel the ice start to relieve the mosquito bite's itchiness almost immediately. For best results, we suggest keeping the ice in place for at least 10 minutes, removing it briefly if the skin becomes too cold or uncomfortable. Reapply the ice throughout the day as needed.³

2. Relieve itchy mosquito bites with honey⁴

Often cited as the best home remedy for mosquito bites, honey has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties.⁴ Applying a small amount of honey to a mosquito bite can help to reduce inflammation and heal without infection, especially if you’ve been scratching it (yes, it can be hard to resist)!

Apply a pea-sized blob of honey to the bite, or more if this doesn’t cover the affected area. Then, cover with a soft tissue and allow it to stick on top (to prevent the honey from getting on anything else).

Just a heads up: While honey is effective for mosquito bite relief, this remedy should only be applied indoors, as the honey could attract more insects! Be sure to wash the honey off the bite before you go outside again.

3. Crushed basil on mosquito bites: home remedies for itchy bites⁵

Looking for some home remedies for bug bites that itch and swell? Not only tasty on pasta, basil is another great home treatment for mosquito bites. It contains natural compounds that help relieve itchy mosquito bites, and it may even reduce inflammation.⁵

Chop up some fresh basil leaves and lay them on a strong, soft tissue. With a blunt tool, like the back of a spoon, crush the leaves together to release the oils and juices onto the tissue. Then, hold the tissue over the bite until you feel it relieving the mosquito bite. So, if you’re wondering what helps mosquito bites stop itching, check your kitchen or garden for some fresh basil and give it a try.

4. Relieve itchy mosquito bites with baking soda³

If you don’t have any basil, you can also try applying a baking soda paste as a home treatment for mosquito bites.3 Here’s what you need to do³:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with a little bit of water, until it forms a paste.
• Apply it directly to your mosquito bite.
• Leave it to sit on your bite for up to 10 minutes.
• Gently wash off the paste.

This natural remedy is helpful for soothing any itching or irritation.

FAQs: Tips for itchy mosquito bites

How to identify a mosquito bite?
A mosquito bite typically appears as a small, raised, itchy reddish bump that develops shortly after being bitten.³ In some people, bites may show up as clusters of bumps, tiny blister-like spots, or darker marks that can resemble a bruise.³

Why do mosquito bites itch so much?
Mosquito bites become itchy because, when a mosquito bites, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin.¹ This saliva acts as an allergen to the immune system, triggering the release of histamine as the body tries to fight off the foreign substance.⁶ The histamine response causes redness, swelling, and that familiar itching and irritation around the bite.⁶

How to relieve itchy mosquito bites when home remedies don’t work?
If you’re still scratching and wondering what to put on mosquito bites to stop itching when home remedies haven’t done the trick, it might be time to reach for something a little stronger. Over-the-counter options like hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine can help calm itching and reduce swelling, while a mild pain reliever such as ibuprofen may ease discomfort.¹

When to worry about a mosquito bite?
Most mosquito bites are harmless, but you should seek medical advice if a bite continues to worsen or shows signs of infection, such as spreading redness, a rash, pus, or increasing pain.¹

How long does it take to relieve itchy mosquito bites?
Most mosquito bites begin to calm down within a couple of days,¹ although how long they itch can vary from person to person. Using soothing methods like ice or other gentle home remedies can help reduce irritation sooner. As hard as it can be, try not to scratch - picking at bites can slow healing and make the itching last longer.¹

How can I prevent mosquito bites?
While mosquito bites can feel unavoidable during warm summer days, there are a few simple ways to reduce your chances of being bitten. Using an insect repellent with an effective level of DEET and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing can all help keep bites at bay.⁷

With these home remedies for mosquito bites, swelling and itching are easily tackled – and you can get back to enjoying the summer! Speaking of summer, you might also want to check our article on how to keep wasps away and what do if they get you.