Natural Remedies for Bug Bites
Summer is winding down, but man those mosquitos are getting vicious! I am a natural mosquito magnet; I’m not sure why, maybe I taste better than all my friends, so dealing with being bitten is a daily occurrence. Of course, I have my home remedies like putting an “x” in the bite with my fingernail to help me ignore the itch factor, which isn’t the best of ideas because of increased infection risk. I thought it wise to do some research to try to find some good, and less skin damaging fixes for the swelling, stinking, and the itch.
- Ice– My favorite fix for the occasional swollen pimple is also the go to remedy to bring down the swelling (histamine reaction) from a bug bite.
- Green Tea Bags – the anti-inflammatory properties in green tea will help a bite shrink faster. Store some in a plastic bag in your freezer, so they are ready when you need them for a bite or puffy eyes from wine night on the neighbor’s porch.
- Basil – Rubbing basil on your skin is a natural mosquito deterrent, but the camphor and menthol found in herbs juices are soothing. Just crush the basil and apply it to the bite.
- White Vinegar – This acid will help neutralize the venom. A 50/50 vinegar- water solution works great for bee stings and jelly fish too! Just soak a cotton ball and apply a little pressure for a minute or two. Smells kinda rough, but it’s better than having to ask for a friend to pee on it for you.
- Sweet Melissa (Lemon Balm) – If you really got chewed up, tie a little bouquet of this herb up with string and put it in a warm bath and hop in.
- Lavender Oil – This oil is naturally anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, it’s also a natural bug repellant. Just make sure you dilute it with a carrier oil (like Extra Virgin Olive oil).
- Aloe Vera – Another good anti-inflammatory, this one works best direct from the plant as many of its healing properties get killed when they attempt to bottle it. Cut a piece from the plant and apply the gel directly to the bite, keep the rest of the cut stem in the fridge for next time (the cold will help the itch too).
One product to try, Essential Oil Complex by G.M.Collin. This multi-use oil contains a blend of clove, citronella, camphor, rosemary, lemon, wild mint, and siberian fir oil essential oils. The oil works to boost your skin’s immune system and helps fight off infection from acne as well as bug bites. The blend also helps ward off mosquitos, just fill a small atomizer with distilled water and add 15% of the essential oil complex. Give the bottle a shake before you use it and spritz your skin to help naturally repel mosquitoes.