How to get rid of mosquito bites - tricks which will make them disappear quicker

The summer is just perfect for sitting in the garden late into the evening with a few cheeky drinks.

But there’s one big down side to spending your time outside in the warmer months – creepy crawlies.

And the worst of them all is the mosquito.

Those sneaky creatures are incredibly good at biting and stealing our blood without us even knowing, as they produce an anaesthetic when they bite.

While some people can escape without attack, others are targeted by every mosquito within a 1000 mile radius while wearing 100 per cent Deet.

They’re incredibly annoying and can be itchy for days.

They also don’t look very nice, and many find themselves avoiding skirts, shorts or dresses until they’ve gone away.

So we’ve pulled together some tips and tricks to get rid of those annoying little bites as quickly as possible.

How long do mosquito bites last?

Everyone reacts differently to mosquito bites, and it takes different lengths of time for them to disappear.

But normally the bite will last about three days.

However, this can increase drastically if a blister forms and bursts, as it will have to scab over to heal properly.

The bite normally causes a small red lumps on the skin.

Some people may also develop fluid-filled blisters, which may burst and then scab over.

Take antihistamines – there are lots of tablets and medicines you can take to help relieve the annoying symptoms
Apply ice – the extreme cold reduces the amount of blood flowing to the bite area, which can reduce the swelling and itching
Soak a tea bag in cold water and place it on the bite – this sounds a bit off, but it can really help calm the itching
Combine baking soda and water and apply it to the bite a few times a day. This should help the swelling and the itching
Take an oatmeal bath
Apply a cold, wet cloth to the bite area for a few minutes to relieve the swelling
Push down on the bite with your fingernail for 10 seconds to temporarily calm the itching
Taking painkillers can also help the itching
Putting a bandage over the bite can prevent you from scratching it, which will hopefully means it doesn’t open and scab over.

In the UK, mosquitoes don’t cause major harm but if you’re travelling to other parts of the world it’s a very different story.

In some countries they carry illnesses such as malaria, which can be fatal.

According to the NHS website, you should visit your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms after being bitten abroad:

Some people don’t have to worry about bites at all, and many get bitten once or twice if there are lots of mosquitoes around.

But other people will be covered in bites as soon as they step outside.

There are lots of things which make some people more appealing to mosquitoes than others.

These include:

People with type O blood
As are people who drink more beer
Pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes – especially those carrying malaria.
Having more bacteria on your skin can be a factor too.