Cold against mosquito bites
Cold is probably the best known and most effective means of treating insect bites. If you start cooling immediately after the bite, this prevents the development of too much swelling. In addition, symptoms such as itching and skin irritation are reduced from the outset.
To cool, it is best to wrap a cooling pack in a cloth and then place it on the area with the mosquito bite. The cool pack can be left for some time. It is important, however, that there is no direct contact between the battery and the skin, as the batteries from the freezer are often very cold and could in the worst case cause frostbite to the skin.The application of cold to insect bites is especially helpful directly after the bite.
Home remedy against swelling
The most important household remedy against swelling after mosquito bites, which has already been mentioned here, is the application of cold. If you place a cold battery on the area of the bite as soon as possible after the mosquito bite, you can significantly reduce the extent of the swelling. Another remedy against swelling after a mosquito bite – not yet mentioned here – is the use of so-called bite healers.
These are small battery-operated devices that generate local heat up to 50°C. If this bite healer is held on the affected skin area shortly after the bite, the proteins transferred with the bite and activated by the bite are decomposed. According to the manufacturer, this should significantly reduce the inflammatory reaction.
Swelling and itching should therefore be significantly less severe with the use of a stitch healer. The other household remedies already mentioned here have only a limited effect on the swelling, they are more likely to soothe the skin. If necessary, they can achieve a slight reduction of the swelling. General information on this can be found under: Swelling after a mosquito bite
Home remedy against itching
Most of the household remedies mentioned have a soothing effect on irritated skin. This usually also leads to a slight relief of itching. The immediate application of heat (for example in the form of a stab healer) seems to be a good remedy for itching, as it prevents it before it can even develop.
The short-term local application of heat can of course be done without a stab healer. For example with a teaspoon heated in a water bath, which is then held on the affected skin area for a few seconds. But be careful, the temperature of the spoon should be checked beforehand, otherwise there is a risk of burns.
The application of cold shortly after the sting is also an effective way to reduce the itching. A cold pack wrapped in a cloth is the remedy of choice here. Rubbing the puncture site with a freshly cut onion also relieves the acute itching.
Applying honey or a few drops of an essential oil such as tea tree oil or lavender oil will do the trick. All of the above home remedies – except for the heat – can be used repeatedly until the itching has subsided completely.
