09 July 2009
A couple of nights ago I got a NASTY mosquito bite on my right forearm. It feels like a bruise when I touch it and is about the size of a silver dollar. Worst part is that it itches like crazy, but yet it hurts to scratch because of the bruise type feeling.
This made me think about the few hiking / camping trips I've been on when mosquito's were just horrible and I decided I would set out to find some ways to stop the mosquito bite itch sensation. Here are a few natural ways that I found that worked for me. Try some for yourself and let me know how it goes:
- Heat or hot water. This is one that can be used in the backcountry if you get one of these nasty mosquito bites. Apply heat to the bite, as hot as you can stand.
- Ice or cold water. Interesting how my first suggestion is heat and second is ice. For some reason, luke warm just doesn't cut it when it comes to mosquito bite relief.
- Rub the bite with a dry bar of soap. Yeah I know weird...
- Tea Tree Oil (aka Melaleuca oil. If you need access to this stuff, let us know and we can hook you up)
- Banana Peel that is open. Rub the opened banana peel over the bit.
- A pocket knife. Bite on a stick and just cut the bite out.
(No, don't really do this.)
Some of these might not work for you and may not work for different mosquito species bites. Different species cause different reactions.