Barefoot strolls in the park, late night lake swims and cradling around a campfire are summertime staples. But while the sweltering June, July and August heat may provoke us to ditch our cramped homes and head for the outdoors, there’s a painful, nasty danger awaiting particularly “sweet-tasting” people once they start venturing into the great outdoors.
Although mosquito bites don’t elicit the same kind of emergency response as a black widow or brown recluse spider bite would, the agitation it causes can be just as horrendous. The painful, red, itchy bumps associated with mosquito bites occur when a female mosquit
o pierces her probing proboscis beneath your skin, allowing her a tiny window to suck your blood. The incessant scratching is caused by her saliva residue that sits on your skin, combining with various proteins to mix an itchy concoction. While there are a multitude of natural and store-bought remedies available to treat the bites, mosquito bites treated with aloe vera tend to ensure the most soothing, lasting relief. Here’s how to treat mosquito bites with aloe vera.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites With Aloe Vera: The Beginning Basics
Depending on your skin’s natural reaction to the mosquito bite, agitation from the red lump can occur anywhere from a few seconds to a few days following contact with the bug. Before the temptation to start clawing at your tender, red skin begins to set in, follow these initial steps.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites: Step 1
Clean the affected area thoroughly. Wash with mild soap and water first, then rinse (preferably) with a mild antiseptic or antibacterial liquid or gel.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites: Step 2
If available, use a refrigerated, dampened tea bag to cool the affected area and provide inflammatory relief. Pop in a few ibuprofen tablets to help keep the bump down.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites with Aloe Vera: Let the Soothing Commence
Aloe vera has been heralded for decades as a tremendous soothing and anti-inflammatory remedy. Commonly used to alleviate itching and restore the skin’s natural pH balance, the gel contained within the coarse, spiky green stems contains a number of power antioxidants and pain relievers.
While you can squeeze the gooey goodness straight from the aloe vera plant yourself, you can also opt to buy a bottle of aloe vera gel from your local drugstore.
How to Treat Mosquito Bites: Step 3
After you’ve applied a cooling compress to the bite, clean the area again with mild soap and water. Once the area is disinfected and thoroughly cleansed, apply a light coat of aloe vera gel to the skin. Reapply as necessary for the next few several hours, but be sure to wash the affected area with mild soap and water continuously throughout reapplication. Although you can wrap up your bump before heading outside again, the mosquito bite will do best if breathe openly with a light coat of aloe vera gel.
Although it’s not required with how to treat mosquito bites with aloe vera, consider placing your aloe vera gel bottle in the refrigerator. Any kind of continuous cooling will help to reduce the mosquito bite in size significantly.
Now that you’ve learned how to treat mosquito bites with aloe vera, continue browsing our wide array of other aloe vera and natural health news, tips and tricks at AloeVera.com.