Especially in the warm season they plague us: the mosquitoes. Even if a mosquito bite is completely harmless in most cases, it is very unpleasant. But there is help!
What helps against mosquito bites?
The following applies above all after a mosquito bite: Do not scratch! Otherwise the symptoms will intensify and the skin and tissue will swell even further. The skin is quickly injured and, in the worst case, inflamed.
There are many different remedies available in pharmacies that help with mosquito bites. Gels, ointments and sprays relieve itching, cool and soothe the skin. They are particularly convenient when they are stored in the refrigerator (read the package insert beforehand!). These acute medications usually contain antiallergic substances, so-called antihistamines. Special plasters also help against mosquito bites. They cool, make the skin swell and soothe itching. Additionally, they prevent accidental scratching, which would make symptoms worse.
In rare cases, people who react very strongly to mosquito bites require cortisone preparations or oral antiallergic drugs. Above all, the cortisone preparations should only be used for a short time. They are not a standard solution. If you want to treat your mosquito bites without chemicals, you can purchase a so-called sting healer. These little devices work with heat. They heat up to around 50 degrees Celsius at one point and then briefly hold the sting. At this temperature, the proteins from the insecticide, which are responsible for the excruciating itching, break down.
You should see a doctor if the swelling is very severe or the sting is on sensitive parts of the body, for example the eyelid. Mosquitoes can sometimes transmit serious diseases abroad. Other measures are therefore sometimes necessary here. It is best to find out about the dangers and measures to be taken before the trip.
Quick help
The kitchen and garden provide many resources that are quickly at hand and provide relief from mosquito bites. A cotton ball soaked in vinegar water cools and relieves itching.
The juice that comes out of cabbage leaves when squeezed has the same effect. A slice of lemon, tomato, onion or cucumber will also help alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of a mosquito bite. Quark cools and acts against inflammation. Therefore it is also well suited for severe swelling and redness. In the garden and on the meadow, it is the ribwort that helps against mosquito bites. A leaf is squeezed or chewed and the pulp is put on the sting.
The big advantage: Ribwort plantain is very widespread and can be found quickly almost everywhere. So you have the right product to hand even when you are out and about. Anything that cools also helps with mosquito bites. That's why cold envelopes or cool packs from the freezer are very pleasant. But be careful: never place packs that are too cold directly on the skin, they can cause damage there! You always have another effective remedy with you: your own spit. It cools and also contains weak pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents.
Alternative remedies
If you want to prepare for the mosquito season, you can prepare your own effective remedy for mosquito bites: In spring, plantain leaves are collected and placed in a jar.
Then you pour clear alcohol so that all the leaves are covered. The glass should stand by the window and shake vigorously every two to three days. After four to six weeks you can strain the mixture and pour it into a clean glass. This tincture lasts for at least two to three years and can be applied with a cotton ball.
The following remedy is made even faster: Boil very strong chamomile tea. As soon as it has cooled down, mix in a ratio of 1: 1 with alcohol, store in a cool place. Homeopathic remedies can also help: Ledum palustre D12 helps, for example, with very itchy bites. Essential oils can also alleviate the problems. Tea tree and lavender oils are particularly helpful.
