Mosquitos need blood to lay their eggs.
Mosquito bites are a common nuisance in many parts of the country. It is rare to have an allergic reaction to them, but scratching them too often can lead to infection. This is a dangerous possibility, considering how badly the bites itch. A mosquito sucks blood when it lands on your skin. Its saliva is what makes the bites itch. It is important to treat the bite quickly to decrease the itching as much as possible. This can be done with several types of itch-relieving creams.
Calamine Lotion
Fast-drying calamine lotion will not get on your clothing.
Buy calamine lotion over the counter in pharmacies or grocery stores. It is often used to relieve itching from poison ivy or poison sumac. Shake the bottle well and apply it to the bites with a cotton ball. Allow it to dry on the skin, and be careful not to get it into your eyes or mouth. Rinse away with water if you accidentally touch one of those areas with the lotion.
Topical Steroids
Topical steroid creams, also called hydrocortisone creames, are available in different strengths over the counter. These are effective for the temporary relief of itching. It is best to put a small amount on top of the bite and rub it into the skin. It will soak in and relieve the itch for a short amount of time. This type of anti-itch cream needs to be reapplied often.
Gold Bond
Gold Bond cream is steroid- and hydrocortisone-free. It is enriched with aloe and vitamin E to soothe irritated and itchy skin. This cream is effective because its active ingredients, menthol and pramoxine hydrochloride, don't work alone. The aid of skin nourishers like aloe and vitamin E help to heal the area damaged from the bite.
Camphor and Phenol
Scratching mosquito bites can cause bacterial infection.
Camphor and phenol work well together to stop the itching from mosquito bites. Camphor comes from the camphor tree and is used to heal skin irritations. It kills germs and is an effective repellent for mosquitoes. Phenol is an antiseptic and is found in coal tar. It helps to decrease the likelihood of infection to the skin, especially when there is excessive scratching.
Tags: aloe vitamin, bites itch, calamine lotion, Gold Bond, itching from, mosquito bites, over counter