Mosquitoes Bite Symptoms and Treatment | CDC (2024)

FAQs

Mosquitoes Bite Symptoms and Treatment | CDC? ›

Wash the bite and surrounding area with soap and water. Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed. Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response.

Avoid scratching itchy bites. It may help to apply calamine lotion or a nonprescription antihistamine cream or corticosteroid cream. Or try dabbing the bite with a paste made of baking soda and water. Reapply the cream or the paste three times a day until the itch is gone.

More recently, a 2005 study showed there was no evidence it influenced the attraction of mosquitoes to human skin-derived chemicals from volunteers taking vitamin B supplements. There is simply no evidence taking vitamin B will offer any significant protection from mosquito bites.

Wide-spreading redness around the mosquito bite. Red streaking that extends beyond the initial bite. Pus or drainage. Area feels warm to the touch.

If you are bitten by mosquitoes, avoid scratching the bites and apply over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to relieve itching. See Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment.

Most people have a minimal response and notice small, pink, itchy bumps within 20 minutes of the bite. The itching usually peaks within 24-48 hours. The bite generally fades over three-to-four days. It may take up to a week to completely heal.

Skeeter syndrome is diagnosed when you have a strong reaction to a mosquito bite. You may see a large area of swelling, soreness, redness, and itching or pain at the location of the bite. Such a reaction can develop within hours of the bite, and it may last for weeks.

Keep in mind that Benadryl must be taken every six hours to be effective. The other products provide 24-hour relief. With antihistamines, you should be able to treat most mosquito bite reactions at home. Ice can also help to reduce local swelling, if applied shortly after being bitten.

Hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid combined with an anesthetic pain reliever. It relieves itching and swelling. You can apply it directly to your mosquito bite as a cream or ointment. Ice: Ice can slow down the amount of blood that flows to an area.

Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.

Is there a pill you can take to prevent mosquito bites? ›

The scientific consensus is, unequivocally, that oral repellents don't exist. Despite extensive searches, no food, supplement, medication, or condition has ever been proven to make people repellent. People with vitamin B1 deficiency don't attract more mosquitoes, either.

itchy bumps that look like mosquito bites could be hives, bed bug bites, contact dermatitis, scabies, or eczema.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a cold, damp cloth or an ice pack to relieve the itching caused by a mosquito bite. A bag of crushed ice can also work well in a pinch, but make sure to place a barrier, such as a washcloth, between your skin and the ice.

Mosquito bites can cause severe illnesses if the insects carry certain viruses or parasites. Infected mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, Zika virus, and the viruses that cause malaria, yellow fever and some types of brain infection.

You can take an antihistamine as a pill, or you can apply it directly to your mosquito bite as a cream or ointment. Hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid combined with an anesthetic pain reliever. It relieves itching and swelling. You can apply it directly to your mosquito bite as a cream or ointment.

Toothpaste is the most accessible home remedy for mosquito bites. It is an effective disinfectant, antimicrobial, and antiseptic, meaning that it can effectively fight against bacteria and infections. These properties help soothe the annoying itching that comes after a mosquito bite.

When to see a doctor. Contact your health care provider if the mosquito bites seem to occur with warning signs of a serious condition. These might include a high fever, severe headache, body aches and signs of infection.