Vitamins For Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites can vary from a minor annoyance to the cause of a significant health disorder, such as malaria. Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset, according to the health education website of the Mayo Clinic, but staying indoors is not always a practical way to avoid bites. The common alternative, insect repellants, often contain potentially harmful ingredients that can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Anecdotal reports say that some nutrients can prevent the bites, which cause inflammation, redness and itching. Be sure to consult a physician before taking nutritional supplements to treat health disorders.

Vitamin B-1

Vitamin B-1, or thiamine, taken daily may repel mosquitoes, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The mosquitoes smell the thiamine that is released through the skin after consumption. The recommended dose of vitamin B-1 for the prevention of mosquito bites is 75 to 150 mg taken daily as needed. Food sources of thiamine that can be consumed instead of supplements include fish, whole-grain cereals, beans, lentils, wheat germ, nuts and yeast. Be aware that brewer's yeast can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory nutrient that is helps relieve the pain and swelling of insect bites. Balch recommends using a buffered form of vitamin C. The recommended dose is 5,000 to 20,000 mg of a supplement that includes bioflavonoids, taken daily in divided doses. Food sources of vitamin C that can be added to the diet instead of taking supplements to treat mosquito bites include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, grapefruit, red peppers and potatoes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.

Vitamin E

The d-alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E reduces the inflammation associated with mosquito bites. The recommended dose is 200 IU taken daily or 400 IU taken every other day, according to Balch. Food sources of vitamin E that can be consumed to treat the swelling and inflammation that accompany mosquito bites include vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.