I despise bugs, particularly those that bite!
Bug bites are more common in certain people than in others. And I am one of the unfortunate individuals against whom mosquito populations must have a personal grudge.
As a result, I keep looking for home remedies for bug bites to help relieve the stinging and irritating sensation.
Some of the natural cures that I found effective, I am going to describe right in this blog post. So, keep reading!
Note: Here I am going to use the broad term ‘bugs’ for all benign stinging and biting organisms. These are:
- Mosquitos
- Bedbugs
- Biting flies and ants
- Ticks
- Lice
- Mites
- Fleas
Table of Contents
Bug Bite Symptoms
Skin irritation is the most common symptom followed by bug bite. However, some other symptoms associated with benign bug bites include:
- Itching
- Redness
- Moderate burning
- Localised and minor swelling or pain
Now let’s move towards exploring how you can cure bug bites at home naturally.
What to Know Before Trying Home Remedies for Bug Bites?
Before we get into the home remedies for bug bites that are itchy and swollen, it’s important to understand that some bites may necessitate more significant medical intervention.
While mosquito bites are typically identified by an itchy, red bump on the skin, there are those that are more dangerous. Tick bites, for example, can spread Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, depending on the species of tick.
So, if your bug bite is accompanied by a fever, swelling, or joint pain, get medical help right away rather than relying on a natural treatment.
Natural Remedies for Bug Bites
Now let’s have a closer look at the natural remedies for bug bites.
1- Baking Soda
Baking soda is a genuine multitasker because it may cure inflammation and itching as well as improve the taste of your food. As far as bug bites are concerned, it’s a fantastic home cure for both adults and children.
Simply mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 1 cup water to produce a paste. Then apply to the bug bite, allowing it to dry before wiping it away with a cool washcloth. However, if you have multiple bug bites on your body you can also make a neutral-temperature bath with 1 cup of baking soda.
2- Use Ice
Ice may be incredibly calming for a range of ailments, including bug bites. This cure relieves itching, swelling, and general discomfort for two reasons.
First, your sensory nerves can only provide a specific amount of information to your brain at a time. So, when you apply the ice cube, the nerves that were telling your brain, ‘This is itchy!’ change their tune and start telling your brain, ‘This is cold!’.
Secondly, the cold lowers edema and inflammation in the affected area.
A TIP FOR YOU! To keep things less messy and melty you can use a gel-filled ice pack.
3- Tea Tree Oil for Bug Bites
Tea tree oil, as we all know, is well-known for its acne-fighting properties, but it may also be very soothing for itching bug bites. Simply dab a few drops (with a carrier oil) on the bite with a cotton ball or pad.
Read in detail about tea tree oil benefits.
4- Oatmeal
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and itch-relieving properties. Also it has the ability to help rebuild the skin barrier, hydrate the skin, and reduce inflammation to soothe irritated and itchy skin caused by a variety of factors.
All these properties make oatmeal one of the greatest natural remedies for bug bites. It can ease irritation and minimise swelling, which is exactly why you need it.
Simply make a paste out of oats and water and apply it immediately on the bite. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it away.
5- Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is well-known for its ability to soothe sunburns, but it can also help with bug bite stings and itching. The cooling action of the aloe vera gel, when applied directly to the bite, will help minimise swelling and relieve the itch.
Get to know about the health benefits of aloe vera.
6- Peppermint Essential Oil
This delicious essential oil also works as an insect repellent. It relieves the burning, stinging, and itching by providing a cooling sensation to the skin. Peppermint, by the way, can help avoid bug bites in the first place.
CAUTION: Applying directly to the skin can cause burning and stinging therefore, mixing it with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut is essential.
Simply before applying it to your skin, mix five drops of peppermint oil per ounce of carrier oil. You can also use a diluted spray of peppermint essential oil. For that, per ounce of water, combine three drops of essential oil with four drops of carrier oil.
When to Call the Doctor?
Get to an emergency department if you’ve been stung by a bee or wasp and are having:
- Difficulties breathing
- Fainting
- Have swelling in your mouth or throat
- Hives
Also contact a doctor if you have the following symptoms within three weeks of tick bite:
- Bull’s-eye rash
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Headache
These could be indicators of Lyme disease, which can cause mental disorientation and arthritis if left untreated. To consult with the best rheumatologists near you, you can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk.
Also call a doctor right away if you’ve been bitten by a spider.
