Living in the tropics which is basically where a lot of people from West Africa live can be problematic, especially given the fact that the area is filled with mosquitoes.
Mosquito bites are uncomfortable to say the least mostly because the mosquitoes deposit a little bit of its saliva on the area of skin it bites. The proteins present in the saliva deposited, triggers an allergic reaction from your immune system which causes itching and inflammation.
If you’ve been bitten by a mosquito, chances are you’re tempted to scratch the area of skin but doing so will only make things worse. Scratching the area of the bite will cause your body to release compounds from your immune system in response to the scratching which will in turn, cause you more itching and swelling around the area.
Instead of scratching, here are 5 tips you can employ to soothe your skin.
The Ice Effect
The cold that comes from ice results in vasoconstriction which reduces the quantity of blood to the area of the mosquito bites, resulting in a reduction in swelling.
Wrap a few chunks of ice in a towel or cloth and apply to the swollen area for 10 minutes. Repeat as needed to get the desired relief.
If the itching is severe and calamine lotion doesn’t stop it, your doctor may prescribe a hydrocortisone cream. Most Hydrocortisone creams contain corticosteroids which reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling. This helps to stop itching while also making the bite heal.
You can simply apply a thin layer of the cream over the affected area once or twice daily or as recommended by the doctor. You should however avoid overusing hydrocortisone cream as it can cause skin discolouration and skin irritation.
Oral Antihistamines such as Piriton have the capacity to provide relief by calming the way the body responds to compounds that trigger itching or histamines. Antihistamines are especially good when you have trouble sleeping, since they can encourage sleep by making you feel drowsy.
Ensure that the drug is prescribed and you follow the appropriate dose as written on the label or as prescribed by your doctor. Not following prescriptions or taking an overdose may result in side effects such as seizures, rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting.
Cold Tea bags
Tea bags that have been soaked in cold water will reduce blood flow to the surface of your skin and reduce itching and inflammation. Tea contains compounds such as caffeine and Tanins which has vasoconstricting properties that will provide quick relief.
Soak a tea bag in cold water until it is fully soaked. Squeeze out excess liquid and apply the tea bag on the area that itches for 10 minutes.
Calamine lotion is composed of zinc oxide which helps to reduce the intensity of mild itchy scratches that occur as a result of mosquito bites. Calamine lotion creates a temporary soothing and cooling effect which helps to relieve itching and discomfort.
Calamine lotion doesn’t however heal the bite or whatever disease the mosquito transmits but helps to reduce inflammation. It can be used singly or in combination with hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines to create the desired effects.
Simply apply a thin layer over the affected area. You should however note that you may feel the itch once the lotion wears off.