Soothe itchy mosquito bites with two-ingredient remedy | UK | News

When it comes to mosquitos, people generally fall into one of two categories – those who manage to evade the pesky insects and those who wake up with a multitude of new bites scattered across their body.

If you belong to the latter group, a naturopathy expert has revealed his homemade remedy for soothing mosquito bites and preventing incessant scratching.

What’s more, he asserts that it’s gentle enough for all skin types and ages – he regularly uses this simple mixture to alleviate his daughters’ itchy bites, a practice he’s maintained since they were infants.

Dr Stephen Cabral, sharing his advice on TikTok, explained how he treats bites in his household.

He advised: “One thing we found really effective in my family is to just take a teaspoon of baking soda, put it in a little ceramic bowl or glass bowl, or a mug if you just want to use that, and you’re just going to add a tiny amount of water and you’re going to mix it around until it become a paste.”

He recommends applying a “very liberal amount” to the mosquito bite and leaving it until it dries out and naturally starts to flake off.

He added: “It helps to take the itch out. I’ve done it for my daughters, I do it for myself. It’s really simple, it’s natural, it’s easy.”

“It’s a very alkaline based mixture which again helps to pull some of that itch out as well.”

In addition to this, he suggests applying manuka honey or wildflower honey to the mosquito bite to combat any potential infection caused by the bite.

Reacting to his video, one follower quipped: “I’m on my way Costco to get the king size box I’m going to look like a snowman.”

Another commenter lamented: “I’m going to scratch my skin off – please help me.”

A third viewer expressed gratitude: “Thank you so much! My dog is going crazy with the big bites since we live in a lake. Finally! She got relief.”

Backing this remedy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises to first clean the area, then follow some straightforward steps to alleviate itching.

• Wash the bite and surrounding area with soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.
• Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response.
• Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with just enough water to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the mosquito bite. Wait 10 minutes.
• Wash off the paste.

For further relief, they suggest using an over-the-counter anti-itch cream or antihistamine lotion according to the directions on the product label.

Should concerns persist, it’s wise to consult a GP.