Readers Respond: Best Remedies for Itchy Mosquito Bites

Most people experience a skin reaction when bitten by a mosquito. For some, the persistent itchiness of a mosquito bite can be maddening. Scratching an insect bite can create an opening for infection, so you really need an effective remedy to stop the itch.

Do you have a surefire remedy or product you use to stop the mosquito bite itch? Share your tips for soothing mosquito bites with us.

Tiger Balm

I use Tiger balm on my bites, it really helps! Also if you dig your nails into the bites and form an "x" it looses the mosquitoes saliva in your skin and takes the itch out!

—Guest Megan

Anti Bacterial Hand Gel

Just anything with the word Anti-Bacteria helps with a mosquito bite. Just apply one or two drops, and rub it for a few seconds, leave it there. It stings for a few seconds but it works 100%

—Guest Mosquito's Favorite

Hot Water

As i have just read all remedies, I must say the hot shower is very close to what I recommend. One bite, boil the kettle, dab face cloth towel into hot water and straight onto the bite. No more itching!!!!

—Guest sandra

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol always works for me. It might itch for a minute or so but it always does the trick.

—Guest Michelle

DEET

So, I have often found myself outside, getting bit, run inside, scratch the crap out of the bites and then spray on the Off! That I should have remembered to use from the beginning and for some reason the really potent Deep woods off! (25% DEET, however the more DEET the better and there is a product called Repel Sportsman Max and its 40% DEET) gets my bites kind of hot, slightly burning, tingling, then numb and luckily stops the itch.... I don't know what is does exactly but I won't question a good thing!

—Guest Allergic to everything

Cold Washer

I freeze a damp washer to aid the itching. The cold helps the inflamed skin whilst soothing the itch.

—Guest chloe.jayde

Toothpaste

I always used either ice or saliva, but they stopped working for me, so, I saw people tried using hairspray (didn't work). Then I tried toothpaste, and it works really well for me! Surprising!

—Guest Relieved

Hand Sanitizer

Rub a small amount of Purell or whatever brand as long as it says sanitizer on the label...takes this sting away and reduces the swelling. It really works!

—Guest Susie

Toothpaste

Mosquitoes love me, always have me for dinner. If you are itching a lot put toothpaste (just a little dab) on the bite and rub it in. It helps a lot.

—Guest jenna

Aloe Vera Gel

100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel finally gave me relief, after failed attempts from ammonia and Benadryl spray.

—Guest TK

Ivy tincture against mosquito or bee

Squash ivy leaves and stems in 70 - 80% alcohol (80% rum works fine), filter through a cloth and keep the tincture in a clean bottle. The next time you got stung by a bee or wasp, put the ivy tincture on half of the painful swollen spot. Within an hour or so the pain and the swelling have disappeared. Put it on the mosquito bite and it works the same. Don't forget to label the bottle, no need to store cold or dark. I made an ivy tincture 39 years ago and it still works perfect on mosquito bites and bee or wasp stings. Works also but a little less on burning nettle.

—Guest Hans de Vries

Baking Soda

I put some baking soda in a really hot bath and sat in it for about 5-10 mins and it worked quite well!

—Guest itchy

Ice

1.) Get an ice cube. 2.) Wrap in a paper towel 3.) Circle ice on bite for 10 secs. - works for me everytime :)

—Guest Isaiah

Hairspray

I use hairspray on mine! It may sting at first, but it stops the itching right away! And do it before i go to sleep! Makes sleeping easy! It will be sticky at first, but it is worth it for the relief! ( i get ate up by mosquitos. I have about 30 on my legs)

—Guest Katie

Cheese

Put cheese on your bite for 1 minute and that's it!!

—Guest Mimmi