Medical supplies
The civilized way to solve the problem is to go to the pharmacy and buy medicine that will help against various mosquito bites.
Pills
We will need allergy pills, especially if the reactions are severe, there are a lot of bites and they itch so much that it is unbearable. Cetirizine-based products work quickly, but be sure to read the instructions and check the contraindications before using them.
Ointments
At the pharmacy, the pharmacist will recommend antihistamine ointments based on dimethindene. If you have already scratched yourself, take ointment with dexpanthenol to help the wounds heal faster.
Patch
Useful in case of nasty reactions, when a mosquito bite swells into a bubble, ready to burst. The patch will cover the irritated area, protect it from dirt and from your nails.
Antiseptic
Alcohol hand sanitizer is a quick way to relieve itching. It will reduce inflammation and at the same time disinfect scratches.
Essential oil
Tea tree oil, which dries the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect, will also help against mosquito bites.
Aspirin
If you have no contraindications to aspirin, crush the tablet, add a drop of water and make a paste, which should be applied to the bite.
How to protect adults and children from mosquitoes
As you know, people with delicate skin are attacked by bloodsuckers. That is why children are most often affected by mosquitoes. You can ward off insects from the stroller while walking using strong odors. Thanks to their well-developed sense of smell, mosquitoes feel discomfort, trying to stay as far away from them as possible. Regular food vanilla will help here. It is enough to dilute it in water and spray. In this way you can treat almost any surface, including children's accessories.
Many people do not pay enough attention to mosquito nets. However, you need to remember that open windows are the main way mosquitoes enter your home. Mosquitoes sense the presence of a person, namely the smell of his blood. They do not fly into the light, as some people think.
Repellents are required for use outdoors. There are modern preparations that can be applied not only to adults, but also to children. Please read the instructions carefully before using them. There are products designed for application to the skin. However, there are also preparations that need to be used exclusively on outerwear.
( Video : “Tested on myself. How to save yourself from mosquitoes”)
If you cannot avoid the bite, remember that scratching the affected area releases substances that cause further irritation. This means that the more the victim scratches the bite site, the more it will itch. Although adults can tolerate it, a child is unlikely to succeed. To prevent severe scratching and infection in the wound, children are recommended to seal the affected areas with a bactericidal plaster.
Home and folk remedies
It's scary to realize this, but sometimes they work no worse than pharmacy ones. Lifehacker has already written that it will help with a mosquito bite, here are more options.
Cold water and ice
The reaction to a bite is often accompanied by swelling, the area swells and hurts. Periodically soak the bite site in cool water or apply ice. This will help reduce redness, remove the bump, and cope with the itching.
Warm water and hot towel
Oddly enough, both cold and heat help with itching. Therefore, a warm shower will help if there are a lot of bites. In the shower, use regular soap and do not touch the washcloth so as not to injure the skin, and apply a warm compress from an ironed towel to very itchy areas.
Soda
Dissolve a couple of teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of warm water and apply this solution with cotton wool to the bite areas. You can make a small cotton compress.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal, which needs to be boiled and not just poured with boiling water, will help. The flakes must be ground into dust in a coffee grinder or blender, mixed with water and made into a thick paste. Apply it to the bite areas and wash off after 10–12 minutes.
Tea brewing
It is most convenient to apply a bag to the bite, which has previously been squeezed out and cooled.
Plantain
Seriously, plantain. Or basil, which is now much easier to find in the kitchen than plantain on the side of the road. The leaf should be washed, chopped or crushed (it works well in a blender), and the green mass should be spread on the bite areas. When you don't have time to do this, crush the leaf in your hand to release a little juice to the surface and apply it to the bite.
Harm from mosquito bites
It is worth noting that there are people who react acutely to mosquito bites. They may develop hives, swelling, swelling, and also experience decreased blood pressure or nausea. The name of this condition is “culicidosis”, that is, allergy. Such consequences cannot be treated with traditional methods: you need to consult a doctor.
However, for most people, the mosquito bite itself is harmless. But it is worth noting that mosquitoes are capable of spreading a lot of infections, so if strange symptoms appear after a bite, you should urgently get checked in a hospital.
Infection
Most people tolerate a mosquito bite without any special consequences, but this is observed only if the mosquito was clean. However, there are many cases where, after a harmless mosquito bite, some strange signs of a previously unknown disease appear. This means that the mosquito was a carrier of the infection.
You can get sick from a mosquito bite:
- malaria;
- yellow fever;
- Zika virus.
In all such cases, only a medical specialist can help the patient.
Children have thin skin, and the consequences of mosquito bites can be observed for up to 3 months in the form of redness, rashes and even suppuration. To prevent this from happening, the inflamed areas should be immediately lubricated with brilliant green.
To prevent babies' wounds from festering, in addition to green stuff, special lotions are used that dry and soothe children's skin.
Allergic reaction
The next 2-3 days after a mosquito bite, you need to check problem areas for an allergic reaction of the body. It may appear as skin thickening or discharge. In this case, you need to see a doctor.
To combat an allergic reaction, take antihistamines in tablets:
- Tavegil;
- Suprastin;
- Loratadine;
- Zyrtec;
- Diazolin.
With the rapid development of an allergic reaction, these drugs or their analogues are administered intramuscularly.
To neutralize the effect of mosquito saliva, intramuscular administration of the drug Prednisolone may be required.
Blisters
After a mosquito bite, a blister of varying severity may appear on the skin. Most often this happens in infants, and sometimes in adults. The immune system reacts this way to a puncture of the skin membrane and the penetration of foreign secretions. As a result, a blister appears, reaching a diameter of 1 cm.
To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, it is enough to disinfect the problem area and apply something cold to it.
These watery growths should not greatly frighten parents of children, since they do not pose a danger and quickly disappear after first aid.
When there is nothing at hand
If there is no chance of getting to the pharmacy, kitchen or garden bed, and your hand treacherously reaches out to comb everything that itches, try to deceive your receptors.
Click on the bite
Press firmly on the bite site, it will become a little easier. The effect is temporary, you will have to repeat it, but it is better than scratching yourself until you bleed: the bite will heal faster than scratches, and you will not introduce an infection into the wound.
Symptoms of a mosquito bite
As a rule, the first signs do not take long to appear.
Symptoms appear quite quickly and are characterized by characteristic itching, burning sensation, and inflammation of the affected areas. A small red blister forms at the site of the bite. This is a typical reaction of the human body. Often such manifestations disappear without a trace over time.
If after a long period of time red spots appear, similar to mosquito bites, this is a serious reason to consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of infectious diseases.
Burning and unbearable itching are natural accompaniments of skin damage by insects. To get rid of them, you can use medications, which are available in large assortments in pharmacies. If desired, use a folk remedy for mosquito bites. Whatever method of treatment you choose, the main thing is not to forget about the natural intolerance of both drugs and components of home recipes.
Remedies for mosquito bites
Effective remedies for mosquito bites can be bought in specialized departments of stores and pharmacies, but there are also simple home methods for getting rid of itching.
Antiallergic drugs
An itchy blister is far from the most serious consequence of a mosquito bite. For some people, the matter may end in hospitalization.
Degrees and symptoms of allergy to mosquito bites (culicidosis, insect allergy):
- mild: papular rash (vesicles), redness of the skin, urticaria;
- moderate: mild symptoms include dizziness, nausea, bloating, heart pain, and a feeling of pressure in the chest;
- severe: choking, coughing, confusion due to swelling of the airways;
- anaphylactic shock.
You can prevent serious consequences with the help of antihistamines:
- roller pencil "Fenistil" (dimetindene). Suitable for children from 1 month. The gel is applied after a mosquito bite in a thin layer 2-3 times a day, is quickly absorbed, and begins to work in 2-3 minutes;
- Soventol ointment (bamipin lactate). It acts almost immediately, blocking H1 receptors (provoking allergies). If the effect is weak, the application of the ointment is repeated after half an hour. Contraindicated in persons intolerant to propylene glycol;
- Advantan (methylprednisolone aceponate) cream, ointment or emulsion. Relieves allergic reactions accompanied by inflammation. Can be used for children from 4 months;
- Elidel cream (pimecrolimus). Has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Used for allergic reactions such as eczema or dermatitis. Can be used for children from 3 months;
- "Bepanten" (dexpanthenol). Can be used for infants;
- Menovazin solution (menthol, procaine, benzocaine);
- “Psilo-balm” (diphenhydramine, also known as diphenhydramine). Suppresses the activity of H1 receptors. Contraindicated in children under 2 years of age. According to reviews on the forums, it is in second place in terms of effectiveness after Fenistil;
- hormonal ointments (glucocorticosteroids): Gistan (mometasone), Sinaflan, Hydrocortisone.
Drugs that block H1 receptors are most effective in relieving the symptoms of mosquito allergy. Ointments based on glucocorticosteroids are also effective, but can be used independently no more than 1-2 times. Long-term use for course treatment is possible only as prescribed by a doctor.
How you can safely treat mosquito bites for a long time (herbal preparations):
- balm “Rescuer” (turpentine, oils, beeswax, calendula extract, naftalan oil);
- “Nezulin” (chamomile, licorice, celandine, essential oils, D-panthenol);
- Boro-plus ointment (extracts of ginger, turmeric, aloe, licorice);
- balm “Root” brand “Siberian Health” (fir oil, extracts of nettle, hops, thyme, coltsfoot, oak bark, pine resin). Can be used for children. The specific smell does not cause an allergic reaction;
- Olazol spray (chloramphenicol, sea buckthorn oil, boric acid, benzocaine (anesthetic)). Do not allow the treated area to come into contact with clothing and linen;
- Thai balm VaporRub Vicks (turpentine, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil);
- balm “Keeper” (oils of corn, lavender, eucalyptus, sea buckthorn);
- balm in the form of a pencil “Deta” (plantain extract, allantoin, menthol);
- Babycoccole children's pencil (almond and olive oils). Can be used for infants;
- Arnica ointment (arnica extract and petroleum jelly).
For a pronounced effect of ointments and creams against mosquito bites, they are used simultaneously with tablets: Loratadine, Suprastin, Fenkarol. Before applying the medications, it is advisable to rinse the bite sites with cold water or apply ice.
When do you need to see a doctor?
In most cases, you can get rid of the consequences of a mosquito bite at home. But there are situations in which you should not refuse the help of a doctor. When should you definitely see a doctor?
- If the bites cover a large surface of the body (especially in young children).
- The bite mark is more than 5 cm in diameter.
- The mosquito bite was in the area around the eyes.
- After all the measures taken, the swelling and itching do not subside.
- Mosquito bites are accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
In any of these situations, delay can be very dangerous. An allergic reaction to mosquito saliva can be very strong, and it is not always possible to cope with it with home remedies. Insect bites are especially dangerous for young children (under 5 years old). If any complications develop, you must call a doctor at home or go to an ambulance.
AfterText #1
Manual pressure method
This method will be very useful if other means are not available:
Pressing your fingernail on the mosquito bite area. The method is especially effective if the bite is visible on the surface of the skin. Use your fingernail to press a “cross” onto the bite site. There will be immediate relief and there will be no need to scratch the itching area. Why is this happening? So, when a mosquito bites, it leaves protein compounds that cause irritation and itching. When pressed, the protein dissipates and symptoms decrease.
The usual pat on the affected area allows you to take your mind off the itching. This should not be done forcefully, but not gently either. This way you can forget about the unpleasant sensations for a while, but you won’t be able to completely remove them.
You can apply pressure to the bite area using a regular ballpoint pen. Just draw a picture near the lesion site. This is a great distracting way to get rid of itching.
Pat the bite
Instead of scratching, smack the bite area, even hard. This is similar to scratching, only less traumatic - you trick the brain, causing mild pain.
