Physician Heal Thyself
As some may know, I live in Cyprus, and like many hot climates, the Cypriot summer brings a number of challenges, chief among them being mosquitos.
Every year I get bitten and I am among the many that suffer quite badly. In fact, the aftereffects of mosquito bites can last for days that weep into weeks – something that happened very recently.
Thankfully, I am blessed with discerning patients and also incredibly knowledgeable ones, and it was suggested to me that I should try dabbing my Acid Peel Face Mask on the bite. So, I did.
And what do you know? The swelling, the redness, and – most of all – the itching stopped, and the very next day there was nothing to show for the bite that had caused me such acute irritation all week.
So, what happened?
A Bit About Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites are small, raised bumps on the skin that appear after the female mosquito feeds on your blood. (Insert your own joke here.)
The bites don’t tend to cause lasting harm, but they can be very annoying. In some parts of the world, they can also be dangerous, spreading diseases such as Zika. Dengue, Malaria and West Nile Virus.
While male mosquitoes only eat flower nectar, female mosquitoes eat both flower nectar and blood because they need the protein to develop eggs.
Using a comparatively lengthy proboscis, which pierces the skin, the female sucks the blood from out of you and secretes saliva into the bloodstream.
When this saliva enters the bloodstream, the body registers it as an allergen, and the immune system kicks in, sending histamine to ward off the invader. It’s the histamine that causes the bite to itch and swell.
The only good news here is, mosquitoes are advocates of equal rights – anyone is up for biting.
Mosquito Bite Remedies
Naturally, pharmacies are full of topical bite creams, which can also come with their own set of problems including allergic reactions and even skin thinning, discoloration, and increased inflammation, should topical steroids such as hydrocortisone be overused.
Ingredients such as benzocaine and other local anaesthetics can cause contact dermatitis, where the skin becomes inflamed and irritated. Some creams can also make your skin sensitive to sunlight, which no one wants on holiday.
While antihistamines are a popular go-to, they also come with a health warning as they can lead to drowsiness, cause dryness in the mouth and throat, dizziness, blurred vision, coordination problems, and urinary retention. Antihistamines can also interact with other medication.
So why risk all that, when you can simply pop one of my Urban Protect Acid Peel Masks into your holiday travel bag?
Not Just for a Pretty Face
To understand why the Acid Peel Mask works, we need to take a look at the ingredients.
- Aqua (Water): this acts as a solvent for the other ingredients, helping to deliver them to the skin;
- Propanediol: a humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated thereby reducing the itching and discomfort caused by mosquito bites;
- Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid: these are exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs) that help remove dead skin cells, which not only alleviates irritation, but promotes skin renewal;
- Glycerin: another humectant, this helps to retain moisture, which soothes and hydrates irritated skin;
- Benzyl Alcohol: this has antimicrobial properties, which helps prevent infection in the bitten area, and also provides a mild anaesthetic effect to reduce itching and discomfort;
- Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum: these are thickening agents that help to create a smooth application and form a protective layer over the skin;
- Lecithin: acting as an emollient, this provides relief from the rough, irritated skin caused by mosquito bites;
- Sodium Hyaluronate: a form of hyaluronic acid that provides intense hydration to soothe and repair the skin;
- Pullulan: a polysaccharide that provides a protective barrier to keep the skin from further irritation;
- And Dehydroacetic Acid: a preservative with mild antimicrobial properties that protects the skin from secondary infections.
So, there you have it. The combination of moisturising agents, mild exfoliants, and antimicrobial ingredients work to soothe mosquito bites by hydrating the skin, reducing itching, promoting skin renewal, and preventing infection. It’s also an incredible treatment for your face.