Gnat Bites: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Relief

The insects that we commonly refer to as "gnats" come in many varieties. Some gnats do not bite humans. Others bite and suck our blood. These biting gnats, also known as black flies and midges, have anticoagulants in their saliva that stop our blood from clotting. For some individuals, these gnat bites are only mildly irritating. Others, however, experience severe swelling and itching.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Antiseptic
• Cotton balls
• Anti-itch cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Avoid scratching the bite, even if it itches a lot. Scratching the bite increases your chance of developing an infection.

• 2

  Wash the affected area with warm, soapy water.

• 3

  Soak a cotton ball in antiseptic and swab the bite. Although rare, gnats can transmit bacteria, especially in areas outside of North America.

• 4

  Apply an anti-itch cream to the bite. Follow the instructions on the product's label.