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Natural Remedies for Insect Bites

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Although small, insects can be very unpleasant. If you are stung or bitten by a venomous insect (wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, all bees and fire ants), it is almost always followed with pain, an intense redness and swelling. Allergic reactions are quite common too. This is because the insect leaves the venom behind. If the symptoms include hard breathing, disorientation or eyes and mouth swelling, it is recommended to consult a doctor. On the other hand, if the symptoms are not as severe, you can use natural remedies.

When you get stung or bitten by a non-venomous insect (chiggers, fleas, lice, scabies, bed bugs, ticks and mosquitoes), the common reaction is redness and swollen, burning or painful skin, and itching. Generally the reactions are much less painful, if at all. The swelling and redness are rather mild and allergic reactions are seldom. In these cases it is recommended to use one of natural remedies as well.

• First Aid after the Bite or Sting
• The 13 Best Natural Remedies
• Lavender Lotions
• Keeping Mosquitoes at a Distance

First Aid after the Bite or Sting

The first and the most important step is to remove the stinger.
When doing that try not to squeeze as this will inject the venom deeper (you don't want that!). The best method is to use a dull table knife. Place it firmly against your skin next to the point of the stinger. Apply constant pressure while scraping the knife across your skin and stinger. Done this way, you can remove the stinger without injecting additional venom.

Clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.

Rub the affected area with alcohol. That will reduce the initial itching.

Tea tree oil is a very good antiseptic, which should be applied after the stinger has been removed and the affected area cleansed.

The 13 Best Natural Remedies

You can't beat these.. this is what has been past on from generation to generation. You can pick your favorite, or choose depending on circumstances and availability, but these 13 tips are life-savers.

• Take the leaves from three different herbs and mix them. Rub the mixture on the affected area for a few minutes.
• Banana peel or juice extracted from crushed Plantain leaves (red banana) provide relief from itching.
• Rubbing an itchy area with apple vinegar or lemon juice provide relief from swelling and itching.
• Rubbing the affected area with raw garlic or eucalyptus oil also brings relief from swelling and itching.
• A bit of Vicks vapor rub helps with the swelling and itching.
• A mixture of tobacco and a bit of water, enough just to make it moist, reduces the swelling.
• Applying toothpaste on the affected area is helpful as well.
• Some people get great results using granulated sugar. It prevents scarring from a bite wound.
• Raw honey, when applied immediately after being stung or bitten, reduces pain.
• Cut an onion and rub it on the sting, or put a slice of raw onion over the sting area. It removes the poison.
• Vinegar mixed with olive oil helps in reducing the swelling and itching.
• St. John's Worth oil helps with the swelling and itching.
• Basil leaves put over the wasp or hornet sting draw the poison out.

Lavender Lotions

All these lotions stop the itching and reduce swelling.

Lotion 1

Mix a table spoon of lavender oil with a table spoon of olive oil and apply it directly on the injury, but not around the eyes.

Lotion 2

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. Echinacea root tincture
• 1 tbsp. distilled water
• 1/8 tsp. lavender essential oil
• 1 tbsp. bentonite clay

As first mix the Echinacea, water and lavender. Then add the mixture slowly to the clay while stirring. The paste should stick to the skin. Apply it on the injured area.
You can store it in an air-tight container. for later usage. If it becomes dry, to use again, add a bit of water until you get the same consistency as previously.

Lotion 3

Mix tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender. It neutralizes toxicity, stops the itching almost immediately and can reduce skin inflammation. Combined with baking soda or a honey mixture and applied a drop or two onto the insect bite it is even more efficient.

By the way, cucumber juice, when put on the bitten area, has a cooling effect.

Keeping Mosquitoes at a Distance

When you know that you are, or might be, exposed to mosquitoes, think of these few helpful tips to keep them at a distance:

• Sprayed over the skin, cucumber juice or cold lavender tea made of fresh or dried lavender leaves, both protect against the mosquitoes.
• Basil, rosemary and lavender keeps the mosquitoes away. Plant them in your home!
• Avoid bright or flowery clothing. These attract insects.
• Avoid loose clothing, because insects can get trapped in it.
• Avoid perfumes or scents. They also attract insects.

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