If you’ve ever suffered from mosquito bites, then you know that the annoying itch that the bites can leave behind can drive you insane — especially if you’re the only one that seems to be attracting them.
There are many remedies that people have tried to help soothe and stop the itch of the inflammation that is caused by mosquito bites, including calamine lotion.
So, is calamine lotion good for mosquito bites? Yes, it can work very well. And it’s good to keep around since there are 110 trillion mosquitoes on the earth. And they’re coming for you (and me, and all of us!).
Is Calamine Lotion Good For Mosquito Bites?
Many people have used Calamine lotion to successfully calm itchy insect bites, especially those who have an allergic reaction.
Some people have more of an allergic reaction to being bitten by mosquitoes than others. And if you’re a sufferer of “skeeter syndrome“, then you’ll definitely want to read on.
Although the bites from mosquitoes are generally harmless (though they can be deadly!), the inflammation and swelling that these bites can sometimes leave behind, especially if you have a bad reaction to the saliva that the female leaves in your skin, will give you a persistent itch.
Although the bites from mosquitoes are generally harmless, the inflammation and swelling that these bites can sometimes leave behind, especially if you have a bad reaction to the saliva that the female leaves in your skin, will give you a persistent itch
And too much scratching of any persistent itch will cause even more skin irritation, or even an infection if the skin breaks open.
Calamine lotion has a long history of being used to treat many common skin conditions. It’s an over-the-counter medication that is made from iron and zinc oxides, mixed with calcium hydroxide and phenol.
Traditionally, it has been used to dry out and soothe insect bites, burns, swimmer’s itch, shingles, and chickenpox, as well as irritation from touching poison ivy.
Many people have used calamine lotion to find relief from the furious itch of mosquito bites.
Alternative Treatments To Stop The Itch
There are also some natural ways that people have found works to help get rid of the persistent itch of mosquito bites, and most of you will already have them sitting in your kitchen cupboards.
1. Baking Soda
The first one is baking soda, which is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It has a multitude of uses that include a toothpaste substitute, an air freshener, a baking ingredient, cleaning silver jewelry, and clearing drains.
However, baking soda can also be used to help heal skin irritation from mosquito bites. Simply mix a couple of tablespoons in a bowl with enough water to make a paste, and then apply it to the bites. Leave the paste on for 10 minutes before rinsing off and patting dry with a clean towel.
2. Onions
You probably have some onions in your kitchen, which is a vegetable that also has natural healing purposes. The juice that is excreted from a freshly cut bulb can work to reduce the irritation from a mosquito bite.
Onions also contain natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help to stop the potential of a skin infection from scratching your bites too much. All you need to do is slice any white onion and apply it to the bite for 5-10 minutes before removing them and washing away any leftover residue.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another common kitchen cupboard ingredient is apple cider vinegar, which can be used to treat many conditions, including helping to reduce blood sugar levels, and keeping your immune system in good health. It also works well as a disinfectant and can help reduce the sting of mosquito bites.
Although you can dab some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it to the bites that way, you can also dilute two cups in a tepid bath, and allow yourself to relax and soak in the water for 20 minutes.
Make sure that the bath is not too hot though, as heat can cause the itching to get worse.
4. Oatmeal
Another way to soak your itching away is to have an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast, because it can work to help relieve the swelling and itching of your mosquito bites.
Simply put a cup of ground oats in a cheesecloth or silk fabric and tie it up so that it makes a tea bag. Toss the bag in some bath water, and allow yourself to soak for 20 minutes.
5. Manuka Honey
Something that will help to stop the itch of mosquito bites really fast is Manuka honey. This sticky substance has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Just dab a bit on the bite and leave for a few minutes.
Other types of honey will also work, because they also have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, although your itching won’t disappear as fast as it can if it’s not Manuka.
6. Aloe Vera
Finally, if you have an aloe vera plant on your shelf, you can cut a stalk and apply the gel to your mosquito bites. Aloe vera gel is also well known to help reduce the pain of burns.
Plus, using this amazing gel on your bites, it will help the skin irritation to heal faster.
Conclusion
Is calamine lotion good for mosquito bites? Yes, it is, because it has a long history of being a safe way to help the skin stop itching from the irritation left after you’ve been bitten.
But you could also try using some of the other remedies we’ve discussed here to help your skin heal faster. And next time you’re around mosquitoes, make sure that you use a repellent so that you don’t have to experience an itchy nightmare again.
