How to Treat a Facial Mosquito Bite

Written by Melissa Morang

27 July, 2017

Fact Checked

You probably know that you need to wear insect repellent when you're outdoors in areas with a lot of mosquitoes. You may even wear long sleeves and pants to protect your body. Unfortunately, your face is often overlooked. Many people, especially women wearing makeup, don't put insect repellent on their faces. The good news is that you can treat a facial mosquito bite and decrease the swelling and itching 1.

Wash the bite with soap and water 4. You want to be sure the area is clean and bacteria-free to prevent infection. You can use your regular facial soap or cleanser.

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Apply ice to the bite. Take the ice and hold it against the bite for 20 minutes (place the ice in a baggie so that it doesn't run all over as it melts). The ice will reduce the itching sensation and bring down any inflammation. Use the ice pack once an hour for the first six hours after the bite.

Make a paste with a meat tenderizer. Pour 1 teaspoon of water over 1 teaspoon of meat tenderizer. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply the paste to the bite.

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Use baking soda on the bite. Put 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water. Stir the ingredients thoroughly. Take a clean cloth and dab it into the mixture. Hold the cloth on the bite for 20 minutes.

Apply calamine lotion. The calamine will reduce the urge to scratch and help reduce any swelling on the bitten area.

Use hydrocortisone cream on the bite 2. You can buy hydrocortisone over the counter. Apply according to the instructions on the package. The hydrocortisone will decrease the urge to scratch.

Take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Follow the directions on the package for proper dosing. The antihistamine will help decrease the itching, as well as reduce redness and swelling.