The Best Ways To Stop Mosquito Bites From Itching (According To 400+ Readers)

A few years ago, I posted a simple question on Facebook: “What’s the best way to get mosquito bites to stop itching?”

I figured I’d get a handful of helpful replies, but within a few days, the comments had exploded. Over 400 of you chimed in with your favorite fixes, from old-school home remedies and essential oils to drugstore creams, folk traditions, and everything in between.

Just reading through those comments had me scratching my arms in sympathy. Because if there’s one thing we all seem to have in common, it’s this: Mosquito bites drive us nuts.

They itch like crazy, swell up like golf balls, and linger way longer than they should. Some of you get huge welts. Others can’t stop scratching. A few have tried everything to make the itching stop.

I’ve been there too. I’ll be enjoying a peaceful evening in my backyard when the mosquitoes show up like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet—and I’m the main course. The itching drives me nuts, and I know how miserable it is when nothing seems to help.

So I rolled up my sleeves, read every single comment, and started looking for patterns. I wanted to know: What actually works—and why?

Today, I’m sharing the best of what I found, broken down into simple, science-backed strategies you can try the next time a pesky bite threatens to ruin your day (or your night).

Let’s dive in.

What Makes Mosquito Bites Itch?

When a mosquito “bites” you, it’s not really a bite—it’s more like they’re inserting a tiny straw into your skin. While they’re drawing blood, they also inject a bit of their saliva—and that’s where the trouble starts.

Mosquito saliva contains proteins that prevent clotting, making it easier for them to feed. But your body sees those proteins as foreign invaders and immediately sounds the alarm.

Your immune system releases histamines, natural chemicals that rush to the scene to fight off the intruder. The problem? Histamines also cause the blood vessels around the bite to swell and send signals to the nerves in your skin, which is what makes it itch. That swelling is also why bites turn red and puffy.

Some people barely react. Others end up with welts the size of quarters. But no matter how mild or miserable the reaction, that itch is just your body trying to protect you.

What Actually Works To Stop The Itch

The good news? You don’t have to suffer just because you forgot the bug spray. One of the best parts of this list is how many of these remedies are already in your home. After going through hundreds of your suggestions, I noticed that most of them fall into a few simple categories, based on how they work.

Block The Histamine Response

Since histamines are what cause all that itching, swelling, and redness, using an antihistamine can offer the most direct and lasting relief. These remedies help calm your body’s reaction to the bite.

Benadryl—in creams, sprays, gels, and even a purse-sized pen—was the most frequently mentioned product in this category. “Benadryl and hydrocortisone creams. They stop itching immediately,” said K. Kelly. Mary D. called the spray version “magic,” and Ruth M. loves the convenience of the travel-size pen.

The active ingredient in topical Benadryl is an antihistamine called diphenhydramine. Generic or store-brand creams with the same ingredient work just as well—just check the label!

Other reader favorites included hydrocortisone cream (like Cortisone-10), Caladryl (with calamine and Pramoxine), and even hemorrhoid cream, which often contains anti-itch ingredients. For a natural alternative, some swear by Uriel’s Arnica Nettle Spray, which combines plant-based ingredients to calm itch and inflammation.

Numb The Nerves

Because itching is a nerve response, one of the quickest ways to stop it is to simply numb the skin. If your nerves can’t feel the irritation, your brain stops registering the itch.

The most-mentioned remedy here was cold, whether from an ice cube, ice pack, or a spoon kept in the freezer. “My son keeps a metal spoon in the freezer,” said Rachel S. “He places the back of the cold spoon on his bite for a few seconds, and it takes the itch away.”

For longer-lasting relief, many readers recommended topical numbing creams with benzocaine or lidocaine, like Dermoplast, Chiggerex, or Bactine. Even Orajel and Anbesol—normally used for toothaches—came up as effective itch relievers. And don’t overlook Solarcaine (a sunburn staple) or Vagisil, which can also help numb the skin.

Distract The Nerves

These remedies don’t treat the itch directly—they work by overriding the sensation. Cooling, tingling, or even a little sting can “distract” your nerves just enough to bring relief. It might sound odd, but for many of you, it really works.

Toothpaste may not be the first thing you think to grab, but a small dab can provide a cooling sting that numbs the itch for a little while. “Sounds silly,” said Aleta W., “but a dab of toothpaste on it” really helps.

The other standout? Deodorant—especially stick formulas with menthol or aluminum salts. “Deodorant, yes deodorant,” wrote Denise W. “I use it all the time on bites.” Shana L. added, “I thought it was crazy but tried it and it actually works really well!”

For stronger distraction, readers mentioned Vicks, Tiger Balm, Sarna, Campho-Phenique, Icy Hot, Gold Bond, and even a splash of aftershave or Listerine. Sea Breeze Astringent was another throwback favorite that combines menthol with alcohol for a cool, drying effect.

Neutralize Or Draw Out Irritants

Some remedies work by actually breaking down the proteins in mosquito saliva (the stuff your body is reacting to), while others draw them out of the skin to ease your body’s reaction.

Time and time again, readers swore by the power of heat. “Just take a metal spoon, hold it under hot water, and put it on the bite,” explained Sandra W. “It works wonders, if applied as soon as possible after the bite.”

Baking soda was another go-to. It helps neutralize irritants and reduce swelling—plus it’s something most of us already have in the pantry. Julie H. explained, “Paste of baking soda and water. Rub on the bite, let dry, then rub off. It will never itch again!”

Vinegar (especially apple cider) also came up often for restoring the skin’s pH and calming irritation. “I’m allergic and itch like CRAZY—but this helps so much,” said Natalie C. Greta M. called it “Grandma’s recipe.”

Other creative picks included meat tenderizer (for the enzymes), ammonia (found in After Bite), and pickle juice for its vinegar-salt combo. Some readers swore by Dawn dish soap, garlic, or salt, while others preferred Redmond Clay, a natural remedy that draws out irritants and soothes the skin.

Clean And Disinfect The Area

Sometimes the best way to stop a bite from getting worse is to clean it well. These remedies help disinfect the skin, which lowers the risk of infection, especially if you’ve scratched it, and many also help dry out the bite, which can ease the itch.

One of the most recommended options was tea tree essential oil, which is known for its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. “Tea tree oil works like a champ!” said Stephanie F. And Julie G. kept it short and sweet: “Just a lil’ dab will do! INSTANT relief!”

Rubbing alcohol was another standout. “Rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton pad works for me and my daughter,” said Eileen W., while Wendy R. chimed in that it “takes the itch out right away.”

Other helpful options included hydrogen peroxide (a gentle antimicrobial), hand sanitizer (alcohol-based), and even a dry bar of soap—just rub it over the bite and let it sit. Simple, but effective.

Soothe, Protect, And Prevent Scratching

Even if you can’t completely stop the itch, soothing the skin and avoiding scratching can make a big difference. It helps bites heal faster and lowers the risk of infection or scarring, especially if you tend to scratch in your sleep or without noticing.

The single most-mentioned remedy from all the reader responses was lavender essential oil. It’s known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties, and so many of you said it works wonders on itchy bites. Ruth W. shared, “Straight lavender oil applied directly to the bite/welt. I used to apply hydrocortisone cream…Now I apply the lavender oil, and it works more quickly.”

Aloe vera also came up often, whether fresh or in gel form, it cools the skin and reduces swelling. And for those who can’t stop scratching, covering the bite with a Band-Aid, liquid bandage, or even tape was a popular trick to prevent further irritation.

Some of you used Chapstick or glue sticks to seal off the bite, and clear nail polish got a few mentions, too. Others recommended Resinol or Porter’s Salve—soothing ointments that help calm skin while supporting healing.

Folk Remedies And Funny Fixes

Some of the most memorable suggestions you shared weren’t creams, oils, or sprays—they were the kind of clever, passed-down tricks that make you smile and stop the itch.

The runaway favorite in this group was making an “X” on the bite with your fingernail. It’s such a simple trick, but it came up again and again, and many of you swore it works instantly. Valerie J. said, “Just make an X on it with your fingernail. Sounds crazy, but works like a charm.” Michelle M. added her own spin: “Mark an ‘X’ and then spit on it… lol… works every time!” It was clear this little trick struck a nostalgic chord for many of you. “My grandma taught us that too!” wrote Amanda-Jane M.

A few others said a quick smack on the bite worked just as well, enough to overwhelm the itch response. And spitting on it came up more than once. Strange? Maybe. But if it works, don’t knock it!

BONUS: What Else Works (Even If It Wasn’t Meant To)

Not every remedy fits neatly into a category. In fact, some of you shared that your go-to fix for bug bites wasn’t made for itching at all, but it works so well, you keep coming back to it. That’s exactly what happened with my Complete Relief and Restore blends.

Originally created for headaches and sore muscles, these essential oil blends also happen to be surprisingly effective for itchy bug bites.

“I use Complete Relief on mosquito bites—instant relief,” said JD Racey. “Even my grandsons think it’s the best. Cuts itch immediately!”

And JD isn’t alone. After hearing more and more stories like this, I started digging into why these blends work so well, and the answer makes perfect sense.

Complete Relief combines marjoram, basil, spike lavender, and copaiba, which help reduce redness, calm irritation, and provide a light warming sensation that distracts from the itch while supporting skin recovery.

Restore, made with wintergreen, peppermint, blue tansy, and blue chamomile, offers a cooling, anti-inflammatory effect that’s perfect for soothing irritated skin. The balm version also includes moisturizing butters and oils that help bites heal faster.

Ashley K. discovered Restore’s unexpected benefits when her four-year-old used it on itchy feet during an allergy flare-up: “Most things sting or break her out even worse… but Restore calmed the itch, didn’t irritate her skin, and worked like a charm.”

So, whether it’s a bite, a rash, or a mystery itch, these blends prove that sometimes the best remedies pull double duty—and that’s why so many of you keep them nearby.

Now is a great time to give essential oils a try for itch relief! Complete Relief, Restore, and Lavender Essential Oil are all 30% off for one more day during my Memorial Day Sale.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Conclusion

Whether you’re a mosquito magnet or just get the occasional bite, I hope this list helps you feel more prepared—and a whole lot less itchy. Thanks to so many smart, tried-and-true tips from readers like you, there’s no need to scratch your way through summer. Just remember: the best fix is often something you already have at home.

What do you do for mosquito bites?