Mosquito bites: remedies and possible infections

A lemon wedge reduces swelling. Aloe leaves are excellent for itching. Ice wrapped in a cloth can also be helpful.

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Natural remedies against mosquito bites
If you have ever entered a pharmacy, you will have noticed, on the shelves, the large quantity of remedies proposed for mosquito bites. mosquitoesFrom ammonia-based sticks to cortisone creams. These are products, it is good to know, that have many contraindications (especially the cortisone which should be used with great caution) for a problem which, however annoying it may be, It is easily solved with natural remedies.

Natural remedies

There are two types of natural remedies for mosquito bites: those to be used after the bite, or for simple prevention. If you get bitten, there are two essential things you shouldn't do: scratching and carving an X on the welt with your nails. These are two useless gestures, both wasteful and counterproductive. There are things to do immediately, however, such as disinfecting the bite with hydrogen peroxide only. Then there are the most appropriate natural remedies: a lemon wedge reduces swelling, aloe leaves help eliminate itching, and even ice, if wrapped in a cloth, can be useful. As for prevention, clothing (mosquitoes prefer dark clothes) and skin condition (they are attracted to sweat) and avoid marshy or lake areas where mosquitoes tend to congregate.
Another form of mosquito prevention is to try to keep them away. Always with natural remedies. The most effective are coffee and basil, but mosquitoes will also consider the scent of geraniums, lemons, lemongrass and lavender. About You will find all the complete instructions to protect yourself naturally from these annoying insects and also to have one made. DIY mosquito net.
Mosquito bites, which are very common, usually begin in the late afternoon, when these insects begin their attacks. There is, however, one exception, and that is Tiger mosquito which also strikes during the day. And against the tiger mosquito it becomes prevention is fundamental, starting with the need to avoid places where water stagnates. If you live in an area exposed to this risk, you absolutely must install mosquito nets: here find the most suitable criteria to choose them.

From banana peels to honey, baking soda, ice, and lemon. Let's take a closer look at the best natural remedies for mosquito bites. mosquitoes.

  • Clothing

If you're planning a walk in the countryside or near rivers or marshes, always try to wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts. Also, avoid bright colors, as they can attract insects.

  • Ice

As soon as you've identified the sting, apply a cold water or ice pack to relieve the pain: simply wrap the ice in a cloth. Avoid placing it directly on the skin, as this will prevent frostbite.

  • Banana peel

Rub the inside of a banana peel on the sting area: it's quite effective.

  • Honey

Honey is also an excellent natural remedy against mosquito bites: apply a little directly to the bite, cover, and leave on for about half an hour.

  • Baking soda

Mix a teaspoon of it with honey or vinegar and then, using a cloth, dab it on the sting.

  • Lemon

Squeezing lemon juice on the sting will help reduce swelling and itching.

  • Onion

Onion is also an excellent natural remedy against mosquito bites. Rub half a onion on the sting to reduce swelling.

  • Sale

Soaking the affected area in a saltwater solution for a few minutes will relieve the itching.

  • Aloe

It is a plant with soothing properties: its leaves are precious for fighting mosquito bites.

What do mosquitoes hate?

There are scents, odors, and aromas that mosquitoes hate. For them, they're repellents; for us, they're a lifesaver.
  • Espresso. The grounds of the moka pot can also be enough
  • Lemon and vinegar. The best thing to do is use them together, covering a few lemon slices with white vinegar. This also makes the scent more pleasant.
  • Onions. Excellent solution for outdoor spaces, but certainly not for the bedroom.
  • Plants. Mint, basil, and lavender are the ones most hated by mosquitoes.
  • Catambra. To us it's odorless, but to mosquitoes it's unbearable.
  • Essential oils. First and foremost, lemongrass, mint, and eucalyptus.

How to get rid of mosquitoes in your bedroom

Mosquitoes in the bedroom are a real problem. They can keep you awake at night and bite repeatedly, so you need to take preventative measures and keep them at bay. This can be achieved with a few precautions and natural remedies.
  • Don't sleep with the windows open in summer; mosquitoes can sneak into your room at any time after sunset, especially if they're attracted to a light, perhaps by which you're reading.
  • Use a good mosquito net if you are in an area at risk of these insects arriving.
  • Put some plants in the room, for example a lavender essence right next to the window
  • Consider some essential oils we have listed in this article.

How to protect newborns from mosquito bites

You've probably gone for a walk with your child and brought him home covered in mosquito bites. Young children, especially newborns, are a prime target for mosquitoes, attracted primarily by the smell of their skin. So what can we do to prevent our little ones from being attacked by mosquitoes? Here are all the useful remedies:

  • First of all, if you have already purchased them, do not overdo the use of commercial repellents as they could cause allergies in children and replace them with essential oil of citronella, basil or geranium: you can also find them in cream or stick form.
  • If you go out for a walk, make sure your children wear light-colored clothes: bright colors, blue, and black are definitely to be avoided.
  • If the child is very young, avoid taking him out of the house in the evening at sunset and very early in the morning.
  • At home, install some mosquito nets at the windows of the rooms where the child sleeps, if possible also above the cot and on the stroller during walks in the open air.
  • If, despite these precautions, your child is bitten by mosquitoes, prevent him from scratching the bite and wash it immediately with fresh water.
  • As mentioned, ice can be a useful remedy for soothing itching and swelling, as can apple cider vinegar and lemon.
  • Neem oil, also excellent as a repellent, can reduce itching, as can tea tree oil. Remember that neem oil is the same oil that works very well against sand flies.

This is especially true for children but also for adults, if you notice that the sting is particularly annoying or you are allergic, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

Infections

The infectious agents that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, with the related infections, are:

  • Four different species of protozoa that cause malaria;
  • larva: some dipteran parasites are transmitted to humans or animals;
  • Virus known as arboviruses. There are hundreds of them, generally named after the localities or geographic areas where the disease was identified (Zika forest, Tuscany, West Nile, etc.). Each virus has its own preferred mosquito species, and each mosquito has its own preferred host species, or reservoir.
  • Bacteria that Some mosquitoes can inoculate humans or animals. Among these are the bacteria Francisella tularensis responsible for tularemia;
  • WormsFilariasis, in particular, can be caused by worms transmitted by mosquito bites.

West Nile fever

La West Nile fever In Italy, too, it has become the latest concern for mosquito-related infections. West Nile fever is a disease caused by the West Nile virus, first isolated in Uganda in 1937. The virus is also present in Italy, where it arrived in 2008.

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