by Marygrace Taylor

2. Hydrocortisone cream If calamine lotion doesnt help, try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or cream that contains 1 percent hydrocortisone, Westley recommends. They contain corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling which ease itching. If an OTC cream isnt getting the job done, your doctor can prescribe a stronger prescription cream. How to use it : Apply a thin layer over the affected area up to twice a day, or as prescribed by your doctor. Just dont go crazy: Overuse of hydrocortisone cream can actually make your skin more irritated and lead to discoloration. If youre itchy in between applications, you can use calamine lotion, Westley says. Shutterstock

3. Oral antihistamine Taking an oral antihistamine (like Benadryl) can give all-over relief by calming your bodys response to histamines, the compounds that cause all that itching. Theyre especially good for when youre having trouble sleeping, since they make you drowsy, says Westley. If you want to take antihistamines during the day, look for a non-drowsy formula designed to be taken during the day, like Claritin or Zyrtec. How to use them: Follow the dosing amount on the product label or your doctors instructions. Taking more wont relieve your symptoms faster, and could put you at risk for side effects like nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, and even seizures. Shutterstock

4. Ice The cold is vasoconstricting, so it reduces the amount of blood flowing to the bite area to reduce swelling and itching, Westley says. Like calamine lotion, you can use it to get extra relief in between other treatments such as hydrocortisone cream, she says. How to use it : Fill a zip-top bag with ice, wrap the bag in a kitchen towel or cloth, and apply to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed, up to once an hour. Shutterstock

5. Cold tea bag Like ice, a tea bag soaked in cold water will reduce blood flow to the surface of your skin to take down swelling and ease itchiness. Depending on the variety, tea may also contain compounds called tannins, which helps reduce swelling. Westley recommends using black tea, since it contains the most tannins. How to use it: Dunk a tea bag in very cold water until the bag is fully soaked through. Gently squeeze the tea bag to remove excess liquid, and apply to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed. Shutterstock

6. Oatmeal bath Oatmeal contains calming properties that <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g19549908/the-best-list-7-grooming-products-you-need-this-spring-for-better-skin/" id="a0657a91-a171-3a4c-a3dc-e6e46c390e7e"> moisturize </a> skin and lower pH level to soothe irritation and reduce itching, says Westley. How to use it : Try this on its own, or while youre waiting for your antihistamine to kick in. Finely grind one cup of rolled oatmeal in a blender or food processor to make a flour-like powder, and sprinkle in a lukewarm bath. (Grinding the oats makes it easier for the calming compounds to penetrate your skin.) Or, get a premade option at the drugstore, like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UEAARO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=menshealth06-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B000UEAARO&amp;linkId=dfc543cfdd17f9261607fc32bbd705e1&amp;ascsubtag=[artid%7C2139.g.19526636[src%7C[ch%7C" id="79e66447-2c85-3110-aaa3-08792b12ef56"> Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment </a> . Soak in the bath for 10 minutes. Shutterstock

7. Aspirin Since Aspirin is an <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g20682941/best-anti-inflammatory-foods/" id="0ececcbd-5b5a-30ce-ae64-e4b478345a68"> anti-inflammatory </a> , your go-to for headaches could also help relieve some of the swelling in your bug bite. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told <a href="https://www.allure.com/story/home-remedies-for-mosquito-bites" id="5d8cf712-26c6-3495-a7ea-ca1e08811846"> Allure </a> that the best way to use this common home drug is by making a paste and applying it topically. How to use it : Crush up an Aspirin and dissolve with a little bit of water to turn into paste. Apply topically to bite. Getty Images

8. Aloe Vera Gel It may be better known for soothing your skin when its had too much sun, but this plant can help with bug bites, too. Aloe vera works because it has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8169808" id="886ac152-25d8-35e4-ab38-99f64587180d"> anti-inflammatory </a> properties that can help heal minor wounds. Purchase <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19545969/aloe-vera-juice/" id="94a00762-61dd-3572-a9fc-7042e655346b"> pure aloe vera </a> gel or squeeze the gel directly from the plant. Store your <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/18-home-cures-for-mosquito-bite-itch.aspx#05" id="66425876-9be1-3550-ada5-0aca823a53b0"> gel in the fridge </a> as the cold temperature can help with itchiness. How to use it : Cut open the plant and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/home-remedies-for-mosquito-bites#aloe-vera" id="aecc4a94-8040-3f60-afe9-5fb97b769418"> apply the gel directly </a> to your bite. Repeat as needed. Getty Images

9. Pramoxine This compound is a topical anesthetic, which means it numbs the sensation of the bite and may provide temporary relief. Its common in lotions, creams, and sprays labeled as anti-itch products. When you feel an itch in your skin, its transmitted to the spinal cord, which takes the signal to your brain. A local anesthetic, of course, helps stop that whole communication pathway. How to use it: Apply over the itchy area as directed on the package. Many products containing pramoxine also contain other calming ingredients, so look before you layer products to be sure youre not overdoing any individual compounds. ChesiireCat - Getty Images

10. Mentholated creams These come in many formseven your sore muscle relief cream or spray could be put to use here, if it contains some kind of menthol (thats the stuff that creates that tingly feeling after its applied). The cooling sensation it provides can combat the itch. Instead of buying an additional product, you could just keep other products youre using for the mosquito bite itching in the refrigerator. The same nerves that transmit itch also transmit temperature, says Shawn Kwatra, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sometimes a cold temperature can confuse the nerves that send the itch sensation to the brain and block the signal. How to use it: Apply menthol creams as directed; generally for an area as small as a mosquito bite, youll just want to dab them onto the affected spots. You can go overboard with these, so read package directions. Viktoriya Kuzmenkova - Getty Images

Honey Honey has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can provide <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19912493/bug-bite-relief/" id="ff678918-a855-3248-ad29-5f12887d5ad2"> relief for your bites </a> . However, it can be messy, but is a good alternative if you don't have anything else. How to use it: Apply honey to the infected area. Avoid leaving the house after using honey as you may just attract more bugs. Miro Vrlik / EyeEm - Getty Images

11 Ways to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites and Beat That Annoying Itch

10 Ways to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites and Beat That Annoying Itch

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Pulse Kenya is the most followed news and entertainment platform in Kenya. It informs and engages young Kenyans around the clock and provides updates by the hour.

by Marygrace Taylor

Articles written by the author

11 Ways to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites and Beat That Annoying Itch

10 Ways to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites and Beat That Annoying Itch