Whether you were bitten by a mosquito, tick, or spider, these remedies will help you find relief.
You can use all the insect repellents and try every method for preventing bug bites and still occasionally find a mystery welt or two—especially during summer. At that point, you’re forced to treat the lingering symptoms—and whether you’re dealing with a tick bite, spider bite, or a mosquito bite, you probably have the urge to scratch it. So, you find yourself needing to know how to stop bug bites from itching—and fast.
What happens when an insect bites you
When a bugger sticks its landing, a mixture of saliva (and sometimes venom) enters your skin at the puncture mark. Your immune system responds to this invasion by releasing a mixture of compounds, including the chemical histamine, explains Sarah Jackson, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Louisiana State University.
That histamine attacks foreign substances it deems potentially harmful, such as salivary proteins from insects, setting off itching, redness, and swelling in the process.
But just as all insects are different, so is our reaction to them. “Each bug has a different ‘ingredient’ that they are injecting into you that causes a different reaction,” Dr. Jackson says. “On top of that, your own immune response differs from person to person.”
Depending on how your body handles the bite, you could experience anything from no sensation to intense itchiness. That’s why a mosquito bite can lead to swollen welts in people that have a mosquito bite allergy, and insignificant red bumps in others.
Regardless, it’s important not to scratch any bite, as it can cause irritation that leads to infection. That’s easier said than done, so we talked to experts to find remedies that will heal your bug bite fast.
How to stop bug bites from itching
“To stop the itching, there are lots of great over-the-counter remedies that you can use,” Dr. Jackson says, including the following:
1. Opt for 1% hydrocortisone
A good anti-itch cream can help minimize redness, swelling, and itching by activating natural substances in the skin, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. We like Aveeno’s 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, because it also contains soothing oat, aloe vera, and vitamin E.
2. Dab on a bit of rubbing alcohol
“Rubbing alcohol works really well in reducing itching and that histamine response,” Jonathan Day, Ph.D., a mosquito researcher and professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida, previously told Prevention. He says the alcohol helps clear away the saliva proteins that would normally set off your immune system. Plus, it has a pleasantly cooling and soothing effect. But be sure not to use too much, as it could irritate and dry out your skin.
3. Apply a cold compress
Grab an ice pack or some frozen veggies and give your bite 10 to 15 minutes of cooling relief. Per Cleveland Clinic, you can also try soaking a chamomile tea bag and storing it in your fridge as a compress to make good use of the tea’s anti-swelling properties. Your skin may feel itchy again afterward, but this is a helpful way to reduce swelling and avoid incessant scratching if the area feels unbearable.
4. Soothe it with menthol or camphor
Dr. Jackson suggests looking for lotions or ointments that contain menthol or camphor, like this one from Sarna, which creates a cooling sensation, to help tamp down irritation.
Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment with 100% Natural Colloidal Oatmeal
Sarna Original Anti-Itch Lotion
CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream
Benadryl Liqui-Gels Antihistamine Allergy Medicine
5. Slather on some aloe vera
Prefer a more natural route? Pure, 100% aloe vera gel is typically a safe bet. “It can help soothe irritated skin, such as from bug bites, because of its anti-inflammatory properties,” Noelani González, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West in New York told Prevention. “It can also help reduce redness in that area.” (Just be sure to test a separate patch of skin first to ensure you have no allergic reaction.)
Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel
Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
Badger Aloe Vera After Sun Gel
6. Try a pramoxine lotion
There are tons of itch-relief creams to turn to, but Dr. Jackson recommends ones that contain 1% pramoxine hydrochloride, like this gentle formula from CeraVe. Pramoxine is a topical anesthetic, so it numbs the skin by preventing nerves from firing pain and itch signals.
7. Take an oral antihistamine
Antihistamines, like Benadryl and Allegra, directly counter the effects of the histamines that your body releases after a bite, says Dr. Jackson.
8. Relieve mild pain with OTC med
Dr. Jackson says good ol’ acetaminophen, like Tylenol, can help reduce any mild pain and itching from gnarly bites.
9. Experiment with colloidal oatmeal
There are more things lying around the house that can provide bug bite relief than you might be aware of. For instance, taking a cool bath with colloidal oatmeal can help relieve itching and soothe skin, per Mayo Clinic. You can either make your own colloidal oatmeal mixture, or try this one from Aveeno, which comes in packets that can be added to a bath.
10. Mix a baking soda paste
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends soothing bug bites with a homemade paste of a tablespoon of baking soda and splash of water, which can help reduce itching. The organization recommends applying the paste and leaving it for 10 minutes before washing it off.
11. Apply honey
According to Cleveland Clinic, applying unprocessed honey to the affected area is another home remedy to try that can help reduce minor inflammation. Just be sure not to wear it outside, as it can attract more pesky insects.
12. Vinegar
Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that provide utility in wound care as well as bacterial and fungal infections. If you have an itchy bite, dab a drop of vinegar on it. The vinegar can help reduce stinging and can also act as a natural disinfectant if you’ve been scratching too much, which can help you avoid a secondary infection.
If you need more relief, try soaking a washcloth in cold water and vinegar, and then applying it to the bite. If you have several scratchy bites, dilute 2 cups of vinegar in a bath and soak for 20 minutes. Be sure to only try this trick in a lukewarm bath, as a hot soak may irritate your bites even more. If you experience any extra skin irritation, stop using vinegar and consult your doctor.
13.Thyme
Studies have shown that thyme possesses both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with various skin irritations and acne conditions. Finely mince the fresh thyme leaves and apply them directly to your bite, and let sit for 10 minutes. You can also try implementing thyme essential oil by applying oil directly onto your skin or by dipping a washcloth into thyme-infused water, and apply to the bites.
Bonus: Before you go back outside and face the elements, thyme oil has also been shown to be an effective repellent for mosquitoes, so this natural remedy could also keep you from getting more bites in the future.
14. Witch hazel
Witch hazel can provide many anti-inflammatory benefits to your skin, as well as help get rid of acne. Along that same strain, applying witch hazel to the bite reduces inflammation, soothes the burning and irritation, and can speed up healing. Apply a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball. Gently dab or swipe it over the bite. Allow it to dry and repeat as needed.
15. Peppermint oil
It may be better known for its benefits for digestion and headache relief, but studies have shown that topical peppermint oil can effectively relieve itchy skin irritations, including bug bites. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil into an ounce of coconut oil or olive oil. Dab a small amount of the mixture onto your mosquito bite and gently rub it in. Do not apply undiluted peppermint oil to your skin. If you have several bites, you can try adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a bathtub full of lukewarm water for full-body relief.
16. Stop scratching
You knew this one was coming. As hard as it is to resist the urge to pick at and scratch your bug bites, you’ll be better off in the long run if you do. The more you scratch your bug bites, the more inflamed they become, and the more you risk breaking skin and causing an infection, according to Cleveland Clinic. Covering the bite with a bandage or even wearing gloves to cover your nails can help prevent you from scratching. You’ll thank yourself later.
When to see your doctor about a bug bite
Dr. Jackson warns that the bite itself might not be your main worry—it’s what can happen after a few days of scratching, which opens up your skin to new danger.
“A bug bite can easily become secondarily infected,” says Dr. Jackson. Pay close attention to the area to see if it gets worse over time, and see your dermatologist if you experience oozing pus at the bite site, warmth in the area, a rash that seems to be spreading, or pain that doesn’t seem to be subsiding.
You should also pay close attention to any other symptoms you may experience following the bite, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Tick bites, for example, can cause severe fatigue, fever, body aches, headaches, and a bullseye-shaped rash—all signs of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. In this case, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible, just to be safe.