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The best way to avoid a mosquito bite is to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Taking precautions like using insect repellant, avoiding swampy areas and sleeping under a net if necessary will go a long way to ensuring you do not have to suffer the consequences of a mosquito bite. But if you have encountered a mosquito bite before, especially in the face you probably wondered how to eliminate the bite swelling.

The mosquito bite swelling is usually small and raised with an emerging tip. It looks white and puffy and when scratched it can turn red. It usually occurs a few minutes after the bite and is accompanied by irritable itching. After a while, the swelling becomes hard and packed. If the mosquito bites you severally the bite marks and swelling look like a bad rash that has raised welts.

The swelling may also look like blister instead of hard bumps especially if the person has been itching incessantly and very hard. With time the swelling will go down and the bite area will begin to heal but this will typically occur in a couple of days. The result is a dark bruised area with dark spots that look like healing acne marks.

How to get rid of the swelling

There are a few thing you can do to prevent the swelling from getting out of hand. In some cases the swelling can become exacerbated and spread on to the surrounding areas making it look like a huge welt. So when a mosquito bites you instead of giving in to the urge to itch and causing the swelling to rise even further consider

Washing the area with water and soap

This will remove the protein that is prompting your immune system to release the histamines that are causing the swelling to continue. The protein is contained in the mosquito’s saliva which it releases into your body when it bites you.

Use a cold compress

Using a cold compress is one of the best ways to stop the swelling as it not only calms the area down it mitigates the inflammation. The bite site can become hot because of the constant itching so a cold compress will calm it down. Some people prefer to use a warm compress to counter the irritation and this is okay as well.

Apply calamine lotion

This lotion will help immediately cool the area and bring relief from the inflammation and irritation. This effectively reduces the urge to itch which will mitigate the swelling.

Elevate the feet

Mosquitoes will bite areas that are left uncovered. So if the mosquitoes bit your hands or legs elevate them after doing all the above and rest them from an elevated angle. This helps with blood flow and blood circulation.