As the UK endures a heatwave with temperatures reaching 35C in some areas, mosquitoes are becoming more prevalent. While their bites are generally harmless in the UK, they can cause intense itching. A Harvard-trained doctor, Dr Trisha Pasricha, has shared a simple, scientifically proven method to stop the itch in seconds, which costs nothing.
The Technique: Gentle Rubbing Instead of Scratching
Dr Pasricha advises against scratching, which can inflame the skin and worsen the itch. Instead, she recommends gently rubbing the bite with two fingers. In a social media video, she demonstrated the technique and stated, "That's it. The itch is gone. I didn't scratch it. I didn't inflame it."
Scientific Basis
A study from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that stroking the skin can interrupt the itch signal. Mosquito bites activate nerve fibres unevenly, creating a contrast that triggers itching. Rubbing the area generates a counter-signal that suppresses the itch, preventing it from reaching the brain. Dr Pasricha notes that rubbing anywhere in the same dermatome (skin region) can be effective.
Additional Benefits and Reactions
The technique may also help relieve itching from eczema. The comment section on her video was filled with grateful users. One wrote, "My entire life I've been scratching around bites, I could've just been rubbing them!" Another shared, "I have done this unintentionally... and it works!" A third added success with an eye itch.
Mosquito season in the UK typically starts in April or May, peaks in July and August, and can extend into autumn. This simple rubbing method offers immediate relief without any cost or products.
