How to Stop and Treat Skin Irritation from Mosquito Nets

If you are experiencing a burning skin sensation or irritation on your lips, face, trunk, or back, or any other part of your body after contact with a mosquito net, it is not a mere coincidence. This is a well-documented reaction to the pyrethroid insecticides used in the treatment of mosquito nets. However, this reaction typically resolves within minutes to a few hours, often faster with the right first-aid tips.

Insecticide-treated nets are widely used across malaria-endemic regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia due to their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use. They are considered relatively safe for most people, including children and pregnant women.¹Zaim M, Aitio A, Nakashima N. Safety of pyrethroid-treated mosquito nets. Med Vet Entomol. 2000 Mar;14(1):1-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2915.2000.00211.x. PMID: 10759305. Nevertheless, a small number of people experience mild-to-moderate adverse effects such as skin or respiratory irritation following exposure to the treated mosquito nets.²Ilombe G, Mpiempie T, Mesia G, Matangila JR, Lulebo AM, Maketa V, Mabanzila B, Muela NM, Muanda FT, Linsuke S, van Geertruyden JP, Lutumba P. Prevalence and predictors of adverse events following exposure to long-lasting insecticidal nets used for malaria prevention: a community-based cross-sectional study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Malaria Journal. 2023 Feb 1;22(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s12936-023-04458-w.

In this post, you will see exactly what to do right away for quick relief, natural and at-home remedies, and when to consider medical treatment. You will also see some helpful tips to prevent it from happening again, including whether you should wash a new net before first use.

Why Does Insecticide-Treated Net Cause Skin Irritation

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets cause burning skin irritation or itching due to a reaction to the pyrethroid impregnated into the net. Pyrethroids are the only insecticide class currently approved by the WHO for treating mosquito nets. Permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, and deltamethrin are common approved pyrethroids for this purpose.³Chanda J, Saili K, Phiri F, Stevenson JC, Mwenda M, Chishimba S, Mulube C, Mambwe B, Lungu C, Earle D, Bennett A, Eisele TP, Kamuliwo M, Steketee RW, Keating J, Miller JM, Sikaala CH. Pyrethroid and Carbamate Resistance in Anopheles funestus Giles along Lake Kariba in Southern Zambia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Aug;103(2_Suppl):90-97. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0664. PMID: 32618244; PMCID: PMC7416976.

While pyrethroids, at the right formulation and dose, are highly effective against mosquitoes and have low toxicity to humans, they may induce a skin reaction in some people following contact.

Pyrethroids kill adult mosquitoes by blocking sodium-gated nerve channels at doses as low as 0.5%, but also stimulate hypersensitivity skin reactions via the same mechanism and at the same low doses. In addition, some people develop allergies to pyrethroids after a prior exposure to chrysanthemum plant (ragweed) and turpentine.

Other side effects of pyrethroids include headache, burning sensation, and nausea, but they can often resolve spontaneously.⁴Treated mosquito nets are safe and effective | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

How to Treat Skin Irritation Caused by Mosquito Net Exposure

If you or someone close to you is experiencing a burning skin sensation, skin irritation, or burning itching after sleeping in or contact with a treated mosquito net, this may resolve on its own after about 5 minutes. But here are some quick relief tips to expedite the process and stop the irritation.

Natural and At-Home Remedies

These are at-home remedies using natural, readily available materials to relieve the burning sensation caused by an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

1. Washing the affected skin with soap and water

Washing the skin is the general first step following exposure to any irritant chemical, including pyrethroids. This is the process of decontamination, and it helps to reduce the concentration of the chemicals and prevents any further absorption into the skin. Simply wash the affected area with soap and water.

2. Natural oils or vitamin E oils

Natural oils like olive oil and palm oil act as solvents and adsorbents for organic substances, including pyrethroids. They dissolve the chemicals from the skin and skin pores, preventing their absorption into the skin.

Natural plant oils (like palm oil and olive oil) are particularly rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation, mop up free radicals, and provide soothing relief to the skin.

• Apply the oil to the affected area(s) of skin.
• Leave it for about a minute or a minute and a half.
• Avoid rubbing too vigorously when applying to prevent further skin irritation from friction.
• Then, wash the oil off with soap and water.

3. Colloidal oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal has been recognized by dermatologists as a soothing and anti-inflammatory solution for chemical skin reactions like mosquito net itching, dry skin, and skin allergies.⁵Lim, D. (2011). Oatmeal. DermNet. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/oatmeal It is made by grinding oatmeal into a fine powder that mixes easily in water to form a paste, and is also available in commercial formulations.

• If you have dry, already-prepared oatmeal powder at home, mix in warm water to form a consistent colloidal solution.
• Otherwise, blend dry rolled oats in a food blender until they form a fine, milky-white powder that mixes easily in warm water.
• Apply to the affected skin and leave for 2-3 minutes before washing off.
• Store in a glass jar for present or future use.

Note: soaking whole, unblended oatmeal in water does not produce the same effect. The oats must be finely ground first.

A young Nigerian lady who was experiencing skin irritation from a mosquito net once narrated on Steemit how she tried several home remedies, including aloe vera, palm oil, and talcum powder, without success. Of note, talcum powder in particular isn’t recommended for facial use due to inhalation risk and limited evidence for soothing chemical irritation. But the others, including oatmeal and the natural oils, can genuinely offer relief when used the right way.

Medical Treatment Options

If natural remedies do not work for your skin itching following contact with mosquito nets, here are some medical treatment options to consider.

1. Topical corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids are creams containing anti-inflammatory agents known as corticosteroids, e.g, hydrocortisone. These are useful in the treatment of allergies or other hypersensitivity skin reactions on the skin, including permethrin/chrysanthemum/turpentine allergies.⁶Insecticides and the skin – Dermnetnz However, these should not be used long-term because of the risk of untoward side effects.

2. Oral antihistamines

Oral antihistamines are oral medications that block histamine receptors, the principal mediator of allergic reactions.⁷Farzam K, Sabir S, O’Rourke MC. Antihistamines. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538188/ By doing so, they can stop the skin itching following allergic reactions to the pyrethroid in mosquito nets.

However, due to the time it takes for orally administered medications to digest and get absorbed into the body, oral antihistamines may take over 30 minutes to 1 hour before they start acting. Thus, it is reserved for cases where the skin irritation lasts beyond 5 to 10 minutes after it starts. In addition, some antihistamines may cause drowsiness as a side effect.

3. See a doctor

If the at-home remedies and over-the-counter medical options above do not provide relief from the skin irritation, it might be necessary to see a doctor or dermatologist. This is also important if the reaction becomes generalized, spreading beyond a specific area of your body. Your doctor will be able to identify the underlying factors and offer a more permanent treatment.

Prevention of Skin Irritation From Mosquito Nets

Having identified that the pyrethroid insecticide in the mosquito nets is what causes the skin irritation after exposure, it becomes easier to prevent this irritation going forward. Here are some helpful tips to avoid skin irritation or burning and itching from mosquito nets.

1. Properly air-dry the mosquito net before use

Insecticide-treated mosquito net manufacturers often recommend air-drying the nets properly before use to remove free chemicals from the net’s surface. Air-drying the net for at least 24 hours ensures the residual chemicals dry properly into the net fiber, and free chemical residue is blown off by the wind. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent rapid degradation of the insecticide.

2. Wash your new mosquito net before first use

Should you wash a new insecticide before first use? The answer is yes, but do it carefully. A single gentle hand wash in cool water, without soap, can help remove loose chemical residue from the net without significantly reducing the effectiveness of the impregnated insecticide. Do it gently; avoid harsh scrubbing, hot water, or detergent, and air-dry thoroughly before use, for at least 24 hours after washing, as already discussed above.

3. Prevent skin contact

Since contact with the pyrethroid chemicals in the mosquito net is what causes the burning skin sensation, preventing direct contact is the best way to prevent it. This is possible through various means. Wear sleeping clothes that cover all exposed areas of your skin, or create demarcations between your skin and the mosquito nets if you move a lot on the bed while sleeping.

4. Use non-treated mosquito nets

As part of preventing contact with the pyrethroid chemicals, you can also try non-treated mosquito nets. Even though they are not as effective as the insecticide-treated nets, they provide a physical barrier that can prevent mosquito bites when used correctly. The insecticide-treated nets are recommended, but it might be necessary to use non-treated alternatives if the chemical side effects become unbearable.

5. Try alternatives

If you are unable to find non-treated mosquito nets, there are several other alternatives you could try. These include mosquito repellent coils, vaporizers, insecticidal sprays, protective clothing (thick socks and headgear) to prevent mosquito bites, and topical mosquito repellents (applied on the skin) containing non-toxic and non-reactive chemicals like DEET, IR3535, or Icaridin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final words

The burning, skin itching, or irritation from a mosquito net can be genuinely uncomfortable, even though it’s usually mild and self-limiting. It is often manageable through simple at-home remedies like washing and colloidal oatmeal, and medical treatments when needed. Preventive steps such as proper air-drying of new nets and washing the net before first use are also recommended.

If you frequently experience this skin reaction or if it spreads beyond the area of contact or doesn’t improve within a few hours despite intervention, don’t hesitate to see a doctor now.

This guide has been medically reviewed to help you make informed and safe decisions regarding your health. If you found it helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit from it. Also explore our health guides on knowseeker for more evidence-based answers to everyday health questions.