Warm, sunny summer days practically beg for time outside — time out in the sun or in nature, a trip to the beach, maybe a bite to eat with friends at a cookout.
Unfortunately, insects like mosquitoes also love a sunny summer day, and the bite they’re looking for is you.
Itchy, unsightly bug bites can be an unpleasant ending to an otherwise lovely day — and even uncomfortable for days afterward. But why do mosquito bites itch at all? And more importantly, what can you do to relieve the itch?
Why do bug bites itch?
Mosquito bites itch for a reason that’s almost as unpleasant as the bite itself: It’s your body’s immune response to the bug’s saliva. The mosquito injects its saliva into your skin to keep your blood from clotting while it dines, your body recognizes the saliva as something that shouldn’t be there, and your immune system releases histamine as part of its defense mechanism. That increases blood flow and inflammation, which is when the bite starts to swell and itch.
Different people experience different degrees of itching due to different immune responses or sensitivity to the saliva. And it’s a good thing your body is ready to fight off anything that could cause you harm. It’s just unfortunate a painful itch is part of the process.
How long will my bug bite last?
How long your mosquito bite will last also depends on your sensitivity and immune response, but generally, it will last 3 to 7 days. Usually, the itching will start shortly after the bite, peak in 24 to 36 hours, and then start to subside. You can definitely expect the itch to last longer if the bite becomes infected, so no matter how difficult it is, resist the urge to scratch.
How do I make my bug bite stop itching?
Again, it’s important to avoid scratching. Scratching a mosquito bite doesn’t just risk infection — it can actually attract even more histamine to the bite site, leading to even worse itching. So treating your bug bite effectively should involve both soothing the skin and preventing scratching at a time when your bite is at its itchiest.
If you’ve just been bitten, you can act quickly to minimize itching. Start by washing the area with soap and water to remove any remaining saliva, then apply a cold compress or ice pack – for just 10-15 minutes at a time – to reduce the swelling and numb the itch. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone or antihistamine cream can also help lessen your body’s reaction to the bite.
If your itching continues, you could look to your pantry for possible home remedies. You can try mixing baking soda or oatmeal into a thick paste and putting it on your bug bite for about 10 minutes. An oatmeal bath can help soothe the itch. And you can try skin soothers like aloe vera gel, a dab of witch hazel on a cotton ball, or a used chamomile tea bag.
To address the scratching, Sarna’s Bug Bite Patches are a convenient, easy-to-apply solution. Sarna’s peel-and-stick patches deliver skin-soothing aloe, witch hazel, and chamomile without mess or fuss. By placing a barrier between your fingernails and your bug bite, the patches can help protect your skin and prevent picking and scratching. And they’re steroid-free, latex-free, and kid-safe, so you can bring them on a trip or outing and feel safe protecting the whole family.
You can’t always prevent mosquitoes from making a meal out of you during a lovely day outside. But if you get bitten, you can be prepared with a readily available way to help prevent the scratching and all the problems that can come with it. With Sarna Bug Bite Patches, the discomfort of bug bites doesn’t have to spoil your summer.
