Ok, we all know hydrocortisone, and DEET — but are there OTHER things we can do for mosquito bites? Today I’m going to share 4 alternative mosquito bite treatments, and a good repellant I don’t hear talked about much (and doesn’t feel miserable on my skin). Is one who itches like CRAZY with them, I hope you find these helpful!
As a note: Even though I’m a nurse, and I’ve tried to research these as much as I can, I can’t recommend them without you talking to your provider as we live in this day and age.
Alternative Mosquito Bite Remedies:
I itch a TON and I was stopping going outside in the summer because of possible bites — and that’s not the life I want to lead — so, I looked for some other options to help:
Suck It
This one is a favorite of mine, if I can do it just a few minutes after being bit (I don’t find it works as well when you find the bug bite a day later, etc). BUT, great for working in the garden since you know you’re at risk — come and check to see if you have any round lumps.
It’s really simple, you just put it on the bite, and you pull back on the plunger. I like to count to 10 slowly and give myself a small little hickey.
For good measure, a lot of times I’ll follow it with some hydrocortisone…
If I do both of these right after I find a bite, I’m often good for the next few days. Sometimes after the hydrocortisone I follow it with….
Stickers!
These were new to me, but I found a pack at Buc-ee’s last time I was there and I though the beaver can’t steer me wrong.
So, I think the original brand is better than knockoffs…. Because why try one brand? Hahah….
Now, these are entirely un-medicated, and I really had to do some research to figure-out how/why they would even work. The idea here is that it lifts the very top layer of your skin to help your body metabolize the mosquito bite stuff so it doesn’t itch as much/long.
First off, if you’re itching your brains out, it might not be a first line treatment. I’d recommend some hydrocortisone (or my 4th one) and then try the sticker after that’s absorbed.
This is basically just a sticker — so you can’t have any oil or lotion on your skin within the past few hours or it just won’t stick. A downfall of this type of product.
My family is mixed on these. For me…
- I tried it on a moderately itchy bite, and within 5 minutes I wasn’t noticing it much anymore
- They stayed on pretty well — a few days, which was nice
- They come in weird colors which is fun when people see them and ask you what the heck is going on?
Honestly, I think they’re not a bad idea.
Are they better than a band aid? I think so? It gives more air flow to the area… and I’m a fan of that.
I would buy again.
Zit Patches
Ok, we all love zit patches when we have an important something and we have a whitehead the size of our head… but do they help with mosquito bites?
Yes, there are specific ones for mosquito bites. They’re the same hydrocolloid patch also infused with aloe and witch hazel.
Ultimately, I felt like these worked a bit better than the other stickers. They seem pricier though, I seem to be alternating between the two to decide which I like better. But, I think both are worth a try. I did find a pack of these at my local Walmart…
These are also much less noticeable (although there are some with patterns) as they are clear.
Nice when you don’t want everyone asking WHAT HAPPENED?
I thought they stuck better than the other ones, but my daughter said hers came off pretty quickly.
Burn Baby Burn
One worth mentioning that I hear a lot of people liking is a system that sort of burns the bite.
Honestly, it sounded great. I love to dig my nail into the bite to try to get it to STOP itching!
But, I tried it and it not only hurt, but also didn’t seem to help my bite. My friend has this one and felt like it was helpful on a recent trip to Africa, but I tried another one in 2020 and actually sent it back I thought it was so bad.
So, take it for what it’s worth.
Mosquito Bite Repellants
Obviously, the key to most health concerns is PREVENTION — so what can we do there?
Avon Skin so Soft
People rave about this stuff, but honestly — I couldn’t find the “real deal” anywhere. Amazon is full “it” but when it comes it has Chinese words on the back, which made me hesitant. BUT, if you can get yourself some — I think it’s a nice idea. Maybe you have a local Avon lady you can check with?
I was thinking of putting it in a spray bottle like this to make application (especially on legs) easier.
Murphy’s Natural
Ok — so what’s one we can actually get HOLD of without having to find an Avon lady? I found this at Costco and I am a fan.
Now, I should say that I normally HATE the feeling of mosquito repellant. It feel so gross.
This just feels like perfume. I would say my skin feels sort of “lighter” when I use it (like cooler — I guess is a better way to describe it) — but it’s not sticky or gross at all.
I should say that sometimes when I just spray without rubbing it around appropriate parts I do get bites on untouched skin.
Lately I’ve been going heavy on it — trying to spray open areas more, but also spraying my whole body as I know the overall scent is a repellant.
I wish it was in a spray bottle that would spray upside down, but life goes on. It’s my favorite repellant right now, although I did find some Skin so Soft on the Tiktok shop, so maybe I’ll give that a whirl next.
What other remedies or repellants do you like?
I should say that I got ant bites a few weeks ago gardening(!) — and these were NOT helpful. And DANG those little buggars itched for a WHILE. Good thing borax and sugar sent them to their death. Want to know how to make that? Tell me in the comments!
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