Oatmeal, honey, or baking soda are some of the kitchen staple that can be used to relieve itching and discomfort from a mosquito bite.

The mosquito bites are a hallmark of warmer weather. The bites can cause problems.

Mosquitoes bite because they are attracted to human blood. The bite, which might not appear until hours later, creates a bump that is typically swollen, sore, or itchy.

The likelihood of being bitten by a mosquito depends on where you live. A serious reaction to a mosquito bite is a rare problem.

If you have a mosquito bite and develop symptoms of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or a swollen throat, contact a doctor immediately.

You may not feel it until the mosquito bites you. The itch that can linger for days after the bite is gone. You can beat the itch with things that are already in your house.

One remedy for an uncomfortable mosquito bite may also be one of your favorite breakfasts. Oatmeal can relieve itching and swelling because it contains special compounds that have anti-irritant qualities.

You can make an oatmeal paste by mixing equal amounts of oatmeal and water in a bowl. For 10 minutes, paste paste-side down on the irritated skin, using a washcloth. Then wipe the area clean.

If you have many bites, try an oatmeal bath instead. Place 1 cup of oatmeal or ground oats into a bathtub full of warm water. To avoid potential plumbing problems, you may want to tie up the oats first in a piece of cheesecloth or another light fabric. Think of it like a giant tea bag that you’ll toss into the bath water. Soak in the oatmeal bath for 20 minutes.

Cold temperatures and ice can reduce inflammation. The cold also numbs the skin, which can give you immediate but short-term relief. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a cold, damp cloth or an ice pack to relieve the itching caused by a mosquito bite. A bag of crushed ice can also work well in a pinch.

Ice can cause damage to your skin. A barrier such as a washcloth can be put between your skin and the ice.

Apply a cold pack for up to 10 minutes several times a day.

Turning up the temperature on your bug bite may also help you get relief. There’s no evidence to say how well it works, but you can buy a special tool such as BiteAway that applies direct, controlled heat to the bite. This is said to reduce swelling and itching. The treatment only takes a few seconds, but these tools can be expensive.

If you want to try for a similar effect, you should soak a clean cloth in water that feels warm and you can comfortably stand. Put the cloth on the bite. Continue for up to 10 minutes if you need to keep the cloth warm. Do not apply heat therapy to a wound that is open.

This sugary sweet substance is a common pick among home-remedy enthusiasts. Honey has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for ailments like sore throats and dry skin. Medical grade honey has many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

A drop on an itch could reduce inflammation. It can be difficult to scratch honey covered skin, so it may reduce your temptation.

A common household plant, aloe vera has many uses beyond shelf decoration. The gel has been shown to reduce pain from burns and help them heal faster. That’s why it may be a good bet for healing a bug bite, too.

Cut open a small section of the plant. The gel from the plant should be applied to the area that is irritated. Let it dry and apply again.

Found in virtually every kitchen, baking soda has a multitude of uses — from baking bread to clearing drains. Otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda may also provide relief from a mosquito bite.

It’s easy to make a baking soda paste, and you can use it in a similar manner to oatmeal paste. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste. Apply it to the bug bite, and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away.

If skin irritation occurs, stop the treatment.

The fragrant basil plant is a key ingredient of many of your favorite Italian recipes, but it does double duty as a mosquito-bite remedy. The plant is used in herbal remedies for skin infections, and the antioxidants found in basil leaves may reduce inflammation.

Add half an ounce of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of water and make a basil rub. The mixture should be steep until it is cool. Rub the liquid on your mosquito bites with a cloth.

You can chop some basil leaves and rub them on your skin.

Stop using this remedy if you notice irritation.

For centuries, apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy to treat many medical conditions, from infections to blood glucose problems.

If you have an itch, apply a drop of the solution to it. The stinging and burning sensations can be reduced with the help of the vinegar. If you have been scratching too much, it can act as a natural sterilant.

If you need more relief, try soaking a washcloth in cold water and rubbing it on the bite. If you have a lot of bites, you can take a bath and get 2 cups of vinegar. It is advisable to avoid a hot bath.

If skin irritation occurs, stop the treatment.

Not only can onions bring tears to your eyes, they can bring relief to your mosquito bites. The onion’s juices, which leak out from the freshly cut bulb, may reduce the bite’s sting and irritation. Onions also have natural antifungal and antibacterial properties that can reduce your risk for an infection.

Cut an onion and apply it to the bite for a few minutes. After you remove the onion, rinse and wash the area.

The petite leaves of the thyme plant are delicious on potatoes, fish, and more. They may also help ease the itching of a mosquito bite.

Thyme is longstanding natural remedy for skin issues. It has antibacterial properties, so it can help reduce your risk of irritating and infecting the skin around a mosquito bite.

To get the most benefit from the leaves, finely chop them. You can apply the leaves to your bite and let them sit for a while.

Adding a few sprigs of thyme will make a concentrated liquid. The water should be cooled before the water is steep. Then apply the bites with a washcloth. Leave the cloth in place for a while.

Wrap a thyme-soaked washcloth around an ice cube to cool it down.

Peppermint oil is another centuries-old natural remedy used to relieve itching. A small study from 2016 suggests this oil can relieve itching from long-term causes like diabetes and liver conditions. So in theory, it could also work for temporary causes like an insect bite.

Mix a few drops of peppermint oil into an ounce of carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil. Dab a small amount of the mixture onto your mosquito bite and gently rub it in. Do not apply undiluted peppermint oil to your skin.

Adding a few drops of oil to the bathtub will make it feel more like a bath.

Take care when using essential oils, as they can interact with medications or have other unexpected effects. Do your research, always talk with your doctor first, and follow all safety guidelines.

This treatment is not appropriate for young children.

Lemon balm is a leafy plant that’s closely related to mint. The herb has been used for centuries as a soothing all-natural treatment for everything from anxiety to upset stomach. An older 1999 study found that a cream containing lemon balm extract relieved itching and other symptoms in people with cold sores.

You can buy a lemon balm cream for mosquito bites, or you can apply finely chopped leaves.

The Lemon balm has a natural anti-aging ingredient. Lemon balm has a lot of polyphenols. Natural compounds speed up healing and reduce the risk of an infection.

Witch hazel is a natural astringent you can buy over the counter in pharmacies and grocery stores. Like lemon balm, witch hazel contains tannins, which can reduce inflammation when applied to the skin.

witch hazel can be used alone to treat a variety of skin irritations. witch hazel can speed up healing and reduce inflammation by applying it to the skin.

A small amount of witch hazel is needed. Rub it over the bite. Allow it to dry. As needed, repeat this.

Arnica is another natural product you can buy to treat minor skin concerns. The herb itself is toxic, but can be diluted to produce the products available in stores. Options include creams and gels.

Although it’s a popular home remedy, scientific evidence shows mixed results. However, many claim that arnica reduces bruising, pain, swelling, and inflammation when applied to skin. So you might choose to try it on a mosquito bite.

You can apply a small amount of arnica cream or gel to the bite. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best arnica product to buy.

Chamomile, which is a member of the daisy family, is a common natural remedy for many ailments. When applied to skin, the oils found in chamomile can reduce itching and inflammation.

For 30 minutes, fill a tea bag with dried flowers and put it in a refrigerator. If you have any excess water from the tea bag, apply it to your bite. It should sit for 10 minutes. The area should be wiped clean with a wet rag. You can chill the tea bag in the fridge.

It’s rare, but be aware that chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Garlic is a well-known natural remedy for conditions from heart disease to high blood pressure. While more conventional treatments may be preferred for those serious conditions, a bit of garlic applied to an irritating bug bite is an easy home remedy for a mosquito bite.

But before you slice into a bulb and apply it to your bite, know that applying cut garlic straight to a skin wound or bite may cause burning and stinging.

“Instead of that, finely chop up fresh garlic and put it in a jar of unscented liquid. The garlic’s natural antibacterial and healing effects will be reduced by using the garlic’s natural anti-bacterial and healing effects.”

After 10 minutes, wipe the mixture off your skin. Use a cool washcloth to wipe the area down. If the itching persists, apply more later.

The best way to get rid of mosquito bite irritation is to avoid a bite altogether. The insects are more active in the evening and at night. If you want to enjoy a summer evening outdoors but are afraid of the blood-sucking bugs, cover your skin and stay away from standing water. If you are bitten, stop the swelling and itching with a homemade remedy.

If you notice any negative reactions when using a home remedy, stop using it immediately.