How to prevent and treat itchy mosquito bites

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- If a mosquito bite has kept you up itching at night recently, you're not alone.

Of course, preventing mosquito bites is best, but when you do get one, there are some ways to stop the itch.

Using hydro-cortisone cream two to three times a day will prevent the itchy feeling and it will also help heal the bite quicker. Chamomile lotion also helps and so does using ice.

A lot of people use rubbing alcohol, but that could lead to dry skin and make the itch worse.

Whatever you do, try to resist scratching the bite because when the mosquito bites, it releases histamine. Histamine causes itching. The more you scratch, the more histamine that gets released, the more it itches.

Again though, you want to try to avoid getting bit in the first place, not just to prevent itching but also to protect against viruses.

You should wear insect repellent with DEET and try to cover up by wearing long sleeves and pants if you are in a wooded area.

That will help protect against bites from both mosquitoes and ticks.

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