11 Home Remedies to Make Mosquito Bites Stop Itching

Nothing says summer like beach trips, burgers on the grill — and mosquito bites.

When these pests "bite," a little bit of their saliva is deposited into your skin. Proteins in mosquito saliva spark a mild allergic reaction from your immune system, which leads to inflammation and itching, according to New York-based medical and cosmetic dermatologist Sapna Westley, M.D.

You’re probably tempted to scratch your mosquito bites, but scratching that itch can actually make you itchier. When you scratch, your immune system releases compounds that create even more swelling and itching, Westley says.

Not to mention the germs lurking under your fingernails could cause a gross bacterial infection.

Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure to get rid of mosquito bites, but the good news is they typically heal on their own after a few days.

In the meantime, you can make them more bearable with these eight easy remedies for mosquito bites.