How do you treat a mosquito bite?

Summer is all about blood suckers, and no, we don’t mean the sparkly ones in the movie theatres. Seems you can’t so much as enjoy a lemonade outside without getting the onslaught of thousands of little moochers, secretly taking their loot and leaving you with the welt. We usually scratch (like we were told not to) and shrug it off as the price of enjoying the outdoors, but you can actually do something to make that nagging itch go away. Here are some tips to ease you mosquito bitten woes:

• Wash the infected area with soap and water as soon as you recognize that you've been bitten. Try to keep the site clean and dry until the irritation abates.

• Avoid scratching. Although a mosquito bite should itch for only a few days, continual scratching will increase your discomfort and may prolong the itching.

• Make a paste of baking soda and water, using just enough water to make the paste sticky. Spread the mixture on the bites.

• Rub soap directly on the bite. This is an oft-repeated home remedy for mosquito bites.

• Apply an ice pack or ice wrapped in a washcloth to the bite area.

• Use calamine lotion or a topical anesthetic containing pramoxine to help relieve pain and itching.

• Purchase 1-percent hydrocortisone cream to alleviate the itching. Follow directions on the package for safe use.

• Use an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce any accompanying swelling or redness.

• Take an anti-histamine like Benadryl to help with any swelling or itching.

• Do not rub skin, soak instead of scrubbing, and pat dry instead of rubbing.

• Use aloe vera gel to reduce swelling and itching. Aloe vera also forms a protective layer to reduce possible infection.