A lot of people would like to be able to stop the itch of mosquito bites. Sometimes they may venture outside without insect repellent on, figuring that they will be out for only a little while. Other times, the repellent they used might not have worked perfectly, or it could have worn off. As a result, they end up with an itchy mosquito bite. If the usual home remedies aren’t completely satisfactory, could aloe vera gel help ease the maddening itch?
A Novel Use for an Ancient Remedy:
Q. I have recently started using aloe vera gel for mosquito bites. It stops the itch immediately. (I was desperate since I had multiple bites on my legs.)
There is no odor or color. If I understand correctly, aloe vera gel is actually good for your skin.
What Should You Know About Aloe Vera Gel?
A. Aloe vera has a long history of medicinal use, going back as far as ancient Egypt. The clear gel from the center of the leaf has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may protect the skin (Phytomedicine, June 20, 2019).
Scientists have studied it as a complementary treatment to help heal wounds and prevent skin ulcers (Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, Jan. 2019). We haven’t seen any research on its benefits against mosquito bites, though. Perhaps if others try it, they will report on how well it works for them. That’s what readers did for this post:
If you have an aloe plant in a pot, please break a leaf and apply to gooey gel that drips out to your next mosquito bite. Use the comment section to tell us your results.
