There are millions of mosquitoes swarming this summer, sucking blood, and leaving itchy, red bumps on the skin. They are a common summer nuisance. Although using insect repellent and other prevention tips can reduce your chances of being bit, really, getting at least one skeeter bite this summer is almost inevitable.
Mosquitoes are pesky parasites leaving bite marks that can be unbearable to itch. So, what’s the best way to stop yourself from scratching?
“Mosquito saliva deposits in the skin from where the bite is, and it’s causing a reaction to that saliva,” says Dr. Summer Allen, a Mayo Clinic family physician.
Some of the tried-and-true home remedies for treating mosquito bites work well. Calamine lotion, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and even a cold compress can ease the itch. It’s going to sooth and kind of calm down that intense burning and inflammation that you’re feeling in your skin. And, while it’s not always easy, it’s important to keep the itching to a minimum.
If you scratch it hard enough or depending on what you use to scratch your skin, you can cause a break in your skin. You can develop a bacterial infection.
“Time takes care of it and try to do your best not to scratch it if you can,” says Dr. Allen.
—Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.
