Going out on a warmer day to enjoy at a beach or park and coming back home with an itchy mosquito bite – we have been there too!
A mosquito bite can be itchy and annoying and goes away in a few days, but in some people who are sensitive to the mosquito’s saliva, its bite might turn into severe scarring. People with low immunity, especially kids and babies, are more prone to mosquito bites, which even associates with high health risks. Besides the prolonged illness that results from mosquito bites such as malaria and dengue, the immediate skin reactions, as well, can be horrific and leads to severe swelling and scarring.
In this blog post, we have covered how to get rid of mosquito bite scars, and if you are lucky enough never to have been attacked by a mosquito, you may follow the given preventive measures to stay away from the mosquito in the future as well.
Mosquito Magnets – What are the Mosquitos Attracted to?
The first and foremost thing to ask about the mosquito is, ‘Why does a mosquito find a human attractive to bite?’ The answer lies in the fact that carbon dioxide emitted by humans is the main reason for attracting mosquitos. Since every human being has a different level of perspiration, body odor, body heat, etc., mosquitoes find them more or less attractive based on these specifications.
Interestingly, a bug finds darker colors more appealing, and if you are wearing a dress that has some dark or floral patterns, there is no doubt that a mosquito will instantly spot you. This is the reason why in summer when we wear a dark-colored t-shirt with some floral or leafy pattern, we start hearing the buzzing sound of these pests nearby as they feel it like their habitat. You will be surprised to find out that human blood plays a vital role in a female mosquito fueling and feeding its eggs. Based on the varied characteristics of each human, these predators find their prey to bite on.
Body odor is yet another factor that attracts mosquitoes to hunt humans. If you like those premium floral scents and always have them on, there is no surprise that you will be easily found out by the bugs, even from a distance. Not only the scents but moisturizers and soaps, which have floral fragrances, smelly feet, and socks as well, work as magnets for these tiny blood seekers.
Another important factor that works as a mosquito magnet is a human’s blood type and chemical composition. According to various studies, people with an O blood group are more attracted to mosquitos. Also, people with warm body temperatures and pregnant females work as favorite hosts for the female mosquitos to bite on.
What Makes a Mosquito Bite Turn into a Scar?
So you are found by a mosquito, and eventually, it bites on you to seek your blood, and then you get a horrible skin reaction that turns into a scar. This tiniest bloodsucker left an itchy welt on your skin that is not disappearing even after a few days. The question is, ‘What made a tiny mosquito bite turn into a scar?’ This is because mosquito saliva has histamines and anti-coagulants in its composition that works in blood thinning and affects the immune system differently.
Soon after a mosquito bite, a tiny welt is formed that disappears in almost 40 to 60 minutes. But for some people, the process of peeking out a mosquito wound is not as immediate as in others. People with hypersensitive skin develop a reaction that spreads throughout the body after the mosquito’s saliva invasion the skin, making it severe in terms of overall well-being. If the healing process is slower, the wound is not repaired and eventually becomes a scar.
Symptoms such as itching, inflammation, and skin redness are more visible on the night of a mosquito bite, and if these stay longer, the bite may become scarring due to skin infections and various allergies. A normal mark resulting from a mosquito bite usually looks like a red and hard spot slightly raised from the skin. If the wound is scratched soon after its appearance on the skin, it slows down the healing process and may turn this tiny wound into a large scar that does not fade away easily.
- In some cases, a mosquito bite may result in hyperpigmentation on the skin in which a dark circular spot appears, slowly disappearing after applying OTC products and trying out certain home remedies.
- Sometimes, the infected person scratches the wound that opens the tissues at the site of the wound. Scratching also results in destroying new skin cells which are growing beneath the scar, which leads to a skin infection. When the bite becomes infected through scratching or tearing, it permanently marks the skin.
- A keloid scar is also common in people who are more sensitive to mosquito bites. The bite, when healed, develops into a keloid scar that often remains permanent.
- A mosquito bite, when developed into an allergy, leaves symptoms like lesions, bruises, blisters, and itching. This type of skin allergy also leads to fever and difficulty breathing.
How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bite Scars?
So your blood and body odor has attracted a female mosquito to bite you, and now you are worried about that scar and waiting for it to fade away. The first thing to take care of properly is not to touch the bite’s scar and not even dare to scratch it away, as it may lead to slowing down the healing process. Most of the time, the mark of a mosquito bite goes away within a few days, but if it is not, try to take care of the affected area so it gets minimized without leaving its mark.
Below we have mentioned some effective ways to treat the area affected by the mosquito bite.
Quick and Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Mosquito Bite Scars
Aloe Vera Gel
Due to the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the aloe vera plant, it speeds up the healing process of all types of wounds. If you have ever encountered a mosquito bite, the aloe vera gel will greatly help reduce inflammation and rapidly repair damaged skin tissues.
Turmeric Paste
The proven benefits of turmeric include preventing early aging signs, fighting skin dullness, lightening hyperpigmentation, and, most importantly, decreasing the inflammation of the site of the wound. All you need to do is to mix a small quantity of turmeric powder into the rose water or sandalwood oil and form a thick paste. Apply it on the site, leave it for 15 minutes, and wash it away with lukewarm water to prevent scarring.
Lemon Juice
Since lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and has high pH levels, it may be used to reduce wound inflammation and decrease skin sensitivity. However, if you are allergic to lemon, it is recommended to use other options. Always perform a patch test to ensure your skin tolerates the lemon’s acidic properties.
Cold Press or an Ice Pack
Using a piece of ice on the site of inflammation has been recommended by people for ages as the cold press techniques work excellently in reducing the lesions and blisters and easing down the itching. Wrap an ice cube in a towel and apply it gently on the skin, as the cold temperatures work great in decreasing skin irritation.
Baking Soda
In case of severe itching, when you don’t have time to rush to the doctor, you may apply a paste of baking soda and water on the affected area. Rub the paste for 10 minutes and wash it away to eliminate itching on the mosquito bite immediately.
Onions
Using freshly extracted onion juice from an onion helps treat the mosquito bite effectively. Onion has been used for ages for its anti-inflammatory properties and as an effective scar treatment.
Some Other Natural Home Remedies to Try Out
A home remedy is the best option to try out if you have got a mosquito bite. Some other effective ways to tackle the scarring include rubbing a small garlic piece on the skin, squeezing the chamomile tea bag on the wound, mixing peppermint oil with olive oil, or dabbing a small quantity of vinegar on the affected area of the wound greatly help in minimizing the skin scarring caused by a mosquito bite.
Apply Skin Soothing Products
Skin-soothing products such as lotions and antihistamine creams greatly help heal the scar quickly without leaving any scar behind. If you develop skin itching, these products can greatly help in lessening the itching that is caused due to inflammation.
Use OTC Medication
Various OTC medicines are proven to reduce mosquito bite scarring. The products speed up wound healing and should be used after consulting with a dermatologist. OTC medicines have the ability to moisturize the scarring spot, so it is a great way to support the growth of new skin tissues.
Microdermabrasion
If the mosquito bite leaves hard scarring behind, the medical procedure of microdermabrasion is performed that reduces the scratch mark and prevents skin discoloration. Microabrasion is an expensive and minimally invasive procedure to get rid of insect bites, so it is recommended to opt for home remedies and wait to go through the invasive treatments until the scar does not fade away.
Some Tips for Treating Mosquito Bite Scars
Keep the Affected Area Moisturized
It is important not to let the dryness accumulate on the scab. Once the wound is started to heal, apply shea butter, coconut oil, chamomile oil, or olive oil to moisturize the skin properly. These oils have the ability to lock moisture into the affected area and speed up the healing process.
Massage the Affected Area
Massaging is an effective way to speed up collagen production and improve blood circulation in a particular skin area. Massaging the skin properly even helps reduce old scar marks by tightening the skin tissues. Trying out the hyaluronic acid serum, vitamin serums, and alpha hydroxy acids when massaging keeps the skin hydrated and helps fade out the skin marks.
Use Sunscreen with an SPF 30
Since bug bites are more prone to sun rays, it is not recommended to expose the affected area to sunlight. Ensure to put on sunscreen with SPF 30 so there is no discoloration or uneven skin tone. Also, when the wound of a mosquito bite is exposed to the sun, it speeds up the skin drying process, resulting in skin darkening.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites and Scars?
The most important thing to consider when trying to avoid mosquito bites is to avoid going to places where there is a high mosquito infestation. Use mosquito repellent sprays if you feel the invasion of mosquitoes into your house. Do not let the water stored inside your house, especially in places like the washroom, backyard, and garden, as these places are more likely to attract mosquitos. Try to avoid wearing darker colors in the summer, as these colors are appealing to mosquitos and make them feel at home. Do not itch or scrap the wound when it is in the healing process. Scratching leaves permanent marks and increases discomfort.
When to Consult a Dermatologist?
In general, a mosquito bite does not require any immediate medical assistance. But if the person starts feeling inflammation throughout his body or has symptoms of allergic reactions followed by high fever, a consultation from a healthcare practitioner is a must. If the bite’s wound is not healing or leaving a scar behind, it is recommended to ask your dermatologist for scar removal products or treatments.
Bottom Line
Not every mosquito bite results in a scar. You could have black patches or scars if you are allergic to the bite. To cure the bite marks, you have a variety of OTC and home remedies to select from. Once a bug or a mosquito hits you, it is crucial to monitor for signs of severe allergies or illnesses carried by the bug or mosquitoes. If you think there might be any such possibilities, you should see a doctor right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to heal the mosquito bite?
If taken care of properly, it takes only 5 to 7 days for the misquote bites to heal completely, but if you have a slower immune system or post-inflammation hyperpigmentation, the healing process may get slowed down.
How to fade away the scarring of a mosquito bite?
To fade away the mosquito bite scarring, it is important to moisturize and exfoliate the skin and not scratch the site of the wound. Home remedies such as aloe vera gel, turmeric, lemon juice, and essential oils are great in healing the scarring process.
What is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive, cosmetic procedure to fade out scars by removing dead skin tissues. It rejuvenates the skin and reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
What are the symptoms of allergic reactions caused by a mosquito bite?
A mosquito bite, if leads to an allergic reaction, may result in nausea, high fever, inflammation, and vomiting, followed by scars and wound marks.
What makes a mosquito bite turn into a scar?
There are various factors involved in transforming a mosquito bite into a scar, such as inflammation, itchiness, and redness in the affected area. In some cases, scratching the wound too early also leaves permanent scars.
What is Anaphylaxis?
A severe allergic reaction to venom, food, and certain medications is known as anaphylaxis. Bee stings, mosquito bites, and consuming foods, which are known to trigger allergies, are the main causes of the majority of patients suffering from anaphylaxis.
How do I know if it’s a mosquito bite or any other insect bite?
A mosquito bite goes unnoticed especially if it has occurred at places that are not very prominent. Also, by looking at a bite, sometimes, it becomes difficult to say if it is a mosquito bite or any other bug’s bite.
Can a mosquito bite get infected?
Yes. Due to a hole at the site of the wound of a mosquito bite, bacteria, and viruses may invade into the open tissues of the skin, making the bite infected. To keep your wound away from any infection, it is important to keep it moisturized with essential oils and keep the spot clean to mitigate bacterial invasion.
Why does a mosquito bite itch?
The saliva injected by the mosquito, once it’s landed on its host, has inflammatory substances such as histamines which trigger allergic reactions in the human body.
Emily Smith is a talented content writer, wielding words to create captivating stories and informative articles across a wide range of topics. With a passion for effective communication and a love for research, Emily consistently produces engaging and valuable content. She’s dedicated to conveying ideas clearly and compellingly, making her a sought-after voice in the digital sphere. When not writing, Emily enjoys immersing herself in art, nature, and culinary adventures for fresh bursts of creativity.
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