There are approximately 200 different species of mosquitoes flying around the U.S., and we feel them now more than ever as the weather begins to warm. Nobody expects the cost of summer clothing to be uncomfortable red bumps.
While mosquito season ramps up, USA TODAY has got you covered with tips and tricks to make encounters with these pests a little more bearable. If you’re looking for tips about how to get rid of breeding mosquitoes in your yard, questions about mosquitoes as a species or questions about caring for bites, you’re in the right place.
How to get rid of mosquito bites
Mosquito bites can be uncomfortable and itchy, but there are ways to provide relief with home remedies or over-the-counter ointments. You’ll also want to wash the bite with warm soapy water, which helps get rid of any bacteria. Be careful with scratching, which can lead to infection.
According to dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand, here are a few ways you can calm and cool the skin while resolving the bite quickly:
- Ice cubes
- Cold compresses, like an ice pack or wet facecloth
- Hydrocortisone creams
- Anti-itch lotions
- Oral antihistamines
You can also try mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with a bit of water to create a paste, which the Centers for Disease Control recommends. Apply the paste to the bite and wait 10 minutes before washing it off.
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What do mosquito bites look like?
Mosquito bites are usually puffy, reddish or brown bumps, but they can also appear as small blisters or dark, bruise-like spots. They can appear as little as a few minutes after the bite but may take a day to appear.
How long do mosquito bites last?
Mosquito bites usually subside within a few hours, says Dr. Houshmand, but they may last up to a few days.
How to get rid of mosquitoes:Keep the pests and their eggs out of your home this summer
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When to worry about a mosquito bite
Mosquitoes are tiny creatures, but they should be taken seriously. According to World Health Organization estimates, mosquitoes that carry life-threatening diseases kill around 725,000 people per year.
Red, bumpy marks could be your everyday mosquito bite, but it could also be other types of bug bites like a tick or spider bite. Lasting symptoms could mean you’ve been infected with a mosquito-borne disease.
“If you have persistent swelling, redness or systemic symptoms like fever or chills, it is important for you to seek medical help,” Dr. Houshmand wrote in an email to USA TODAY. “Both types of bites can cause itching, swelling and redness.”
According to the CDC, not everyone infected with a mosquito-borne germ gets sick, though those who do may experience large swelling or redness, a low-grade fever, hives or swollen lymph nodes.
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