As the numbers on the thermometer rise, so does the amount of time we spend outside. And the more time we spend outside, the likelier we are to suffer from one of the most irritating side effects of spring and summer—bug bites. What is one to do? Rush to the store? Or suffer in silence, give in and itch away? You might be surprised about the number of natural bug bite remedies you may just have at your fingertips. When you find yourself annoyed by a bug bite, try reaching for one of these natural remedies:
1 .Ice: Cooling the insect bite with ice can provide temporary relief of itching and decrease the swelling.
2. Cucumber: The skin of a cucumber can be placed on the top of bites to ease the irritation and urge to itch.
3. Eggplant: Eggplant can draw out the toxins from a bug bite and prevent skin from becoming irritated. For soothing relief, place 2 inch round slices of eggplant on bites.
4. Garlic: If you know you are going to be outside, especially for an extended period of time, like on a camping trip, increase your intake of garlic to one or two cloves a day. As your body sweats out the garlic scent, the odor fends off many insects.
5. Banana Peel: Place the inside of the peel directly on the bite to take away the sting and itch. After 90 minutes, wash the area and apply hand sanitizer to further relieve the itch.
6. Honey: Besides being a healthy sweetener, honey is also a natural antibiotic that can calm inflamed skin and prevent infections.
7. Baking Soda: Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water and smear it on the bite. If you have several bites, you can mix baking soda into a warm bath to relieve your irritated skin. However, this method should not be used with any open wounds.
8. Peppermint Oil: Put a small amount of peppermint oil (just a drop or two) onto the bite. It has a cooling effect, and also boosts circulation to the bite, which hurries the healing process. If you don’t have any peppermint oil on hand, a dab of toothpaste will work in a pinch. The fluoride in toothpaste acts as an antihistamine and quickly provides relief.
9. Other natural oils: Apply a blend of natural oils, like eucalyptus, wintergreen, and tea tree to bites every 2 to 3 hours to ease the urge to itch and help the healing process. Lavender oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory, and tea tree disinfects.
10. Green Tea: Dampen a green tea bag with cold water and apply directly to the bite as a compress. The cold temperature helps soothe the itch and compounds in the tea help with inflammation.
No matter how hard we try to protect ourselves, there’s a good chance we’ll still experience bug bites this summer. When you are battling the itch, sting, or swelling from a bug bite, reach for relief with one of these ten natural remedies.
Resources:
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/mao-shing-ni-lac-dom-phd/natural-relief-bug-bites-and-poison-ivy
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/home-remedies/natural-home-remedies-insect-and-spider-bites
http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/take-charge/9-surprising-home-remedies-insect-bites-stings.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/18-home-cures-for-mosquito-bite-itch.aspx#/slide-2
