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10 Best Home Remedies For Insect Bites That Offer Relief

insect bites and stings

We’ve all been bitten by insects some time or the other. While most of these bites are mere irritants, some can be very dangerous because of the toxicity. However, there are several effective home remedies for insect bites; hence there is no need to panic. Insect bites can be minor punctures or stings that inject a small quantity of venom into the bloodstream, triggering off an allergic reaction.

When venom enters the bloodstream there can be minor to severe swelling, redness, irritation, itching and extreme pain. Insects like bees, wasps, hornets and red ants (fire ants) bite humans, and there can be an allergic reaction accompanied by severe pain. Sometimes, some of these bites lead to a serious condition known as anaphylaxis, which requires emergency medical attention. Some insect bites like that of the anopheles mosquito can cause serious illnesses like Malaria or Dengue, which are often fatal unless treated on time.

Causes of Insect Bites

  • Disturbing bee hives or hornets nests provokes them to attack
  • Wasps can also sting people if disturbed
  • Stepping on or near an ant hill can cause them to react and bite
  • Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and bite humans

Symptoms of Insect Bites

  • Pain and itching in the bitten area
  • Redness, accompanied by swelling
  • Lumpy welts form around the affected area
  • Burning sensation may be caused by certain insect bites

See a doctor immediately if:

  • The skin turns pale and hives appear
  • There is difficulty in breathing
  • The throat and tongue swell up leading to difficulty in swallowing
  • There is a sharp drop in blood pressure

10 Best Home Remedies For Insect Bites

Only some insect bites can cause serious conditions like anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention. For most of the other common insect bites there are several easy home remedies, here are 10 best ones:Home Remedies For Insect Bites and stings

10. Aloe Vera Gel

Procedure:

  • Take a thick leaf of Aloe Vera. Remove the prickly thorns on either side.
  • Remove the skin on the rounded side of the leaf.
  • Scrape off the colorless gel and put it in a small bowl.
  • Mix two teaspoons of organic turmeric with the gel to make a paste.
  • Apply the Aloe Vera gel and turmeric paste on the affected portions.

How does this work?

Aloe Vera has been revered as an excellent curative in folk medicine. It has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat various skin afflictions. It helps restore the skin to its normal condition because of its natural antiseptic qualities.

Aloe Vera is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce the inflammation caused by insect bites. Turmeric is a magic spice that has been advocated for treating cuts, wounds and burns from time immemorial. The potent mixture of Aloe Vera gel and Turmeric Powder make effective home remedies for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

9. Baking Soda

Procedure:

  • Take one teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
  • Sprinkle some water and make a paste.
  • Apply the paste on the affected areas.
  • Repeat the process twice daily for 2 to 3 days.

How does this work?

Baking soda has a soothing effect on the skin and gives instant relief from the burning and itching caused by an insect bite. Baking soda is a simple and easy home remedy for insect bites and it is preferred for its antibacterial properties that help neutralize the toxic effects of insect bites.

Baking soda has a mildly alkaline pH, and the soothing effect it has on the affected portion is a welcome relief from the pain and itching that most insect bites often cause. Baking soda is one of the best home remedies for insect bites swelling.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

8. Raw Garlic

Procedure:

  • Take 2 to 3 pods of fresh garlic. Peel, wash and crush to a paste.
  • Apply the garlic paste on the bitten area. Cover with a thin gauze and leave overnight.
  • Wash with warm water in the morning. Repeat the process daily for 2 to 3 days.

How does this work?

Garlic is a magic herb that has some amazing medicinal properties. Garlic has strong antibiotic properties as well as antiparisitic properties as well. It helps contain the venom, if any that is injected into the bloodstream due to an insect bite. Garlic has been praised for its amazing antifungal properties that help keep the skin free of any blemishes caused by infections. Garlic is a great natural treatment for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

7. Fresh Lemon

Procedure:

  • Cut a fresh lemon in two halves. Apply the cut portion on the insect bite area and rub.
  • Allow the lemon juice to soak in the skin.
  • Wash with warm water after a couple of hours
  • Repeat the process for 2 or 3 days

How does this work?

Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which acts on the skin and makes the bitten area numb to the severe itching caused by an insect bite. Moreover, lemon juice also has some great antibacterial properties which help prevent the toxicity from spreading all over the skin.

Make sure that the lemon juice is applied soon after being bitten by an insect, because the bite will start itching, prompting you to scratch vigorously. Please avoid exposing the bitten area to sunlight after applying the lemon juice. It has been proved that lemon juice is a great natural treatment for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

6. Common Salt

Procedure:

  • Take two teaspoons of common salt (sodium chloride).
  • Powder the salt and sprinkle some water.
  • Apply the salt paste/solution to the insect bite area.
  • Alternatively, go for a dip in the sea if you live near a beach.

How does this work?

Common salt or sodium chloride is a natural disinfectant and an amazing antimicrobial and antifungal agent. Moreover, salt has a detoxifying effect as well, and helps neutralize the toxic effect of certain insect bites.

Applying salt soon after being bitten by an insect (after washing the bitten area) may result in a burning sensation; however that lasts only for a minute or so. After that, surprisingly, the salt has a soothing effect on the skin and helps reduce the itching and swelling as well. Common salt is one of the best natural home remedies for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

5. Ice Pack

Procedure:

  • Take a handful of ice cubes from your fridge.
  • Bundle the ice cubes in a piece of soft cotton cloth.
  • If ice cubes are not readily available, use frozen vegetables.
  • Place the ice pack on the insect bite site for a few minutes.
  • Repeat the process as many times as required until pain subsides.

How does this work?

An insect bite leaves a superficial wound on the surface of the skin. Moreover, it causes a bit of internal bleeding around the underlying tissue as well. This is the reason for the swelling and the pain, and a cold compress (ice pack) works on the tissues and stems the internal bleeding.

An ice pack can control the muscle pain and spasms associated with severe insect bites or stings. The ice pack also reduces the temperature in the affected area and causes a temporary numbness and the pain is not felt. Ice packs are one of the best home remedies for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Procedure:

  • Take 2 teaspoons of undiluted Tea Tree Oil. Take a few balls of surgical cotton.
  • Dip a cotton ball in the Tea Tree Oil. Apply it on the insect bite areas.
  • Let it sit for a couple of hours. Repeat the process twice daily for 2 or 3 days.

How does this work?

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil is an excellent antifungal agent and has been used to treat severe cases of skin infections successfully. Moreover, it has some great anti-inflammatory properties as well that helps keep the inflammation under control.

Applying Tea Tree oil on an insect bite site has a soothing effect and controls the severe itching and helps get relief from the pain as well. Tea tree oil is a great natural treatment for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

  • The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Procedure:

  • Take 2 to 3 teaspoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar (ACV)
  • Mix the ACV in an equal quantity of water. Take a few balls of surgical cotton.
  • Dip in the ACV-water mixture and apply on insect bite area.
  • Repeat the process twice daily for 2 to 3 days.

How does this work?

Apple cider vinegar has been in use to treat several types of skin afflictions. The amazing anti-inflammatory properties of ACV help contain the inflammation and get relief from the itching and burning sensation caused by insect bites.

Moreover, apple cider vinegar is an excellent disinfectant and a good antimicrobial agent as well, hence it helps get rid of the toxicity caused by certain insect bites. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable.

2. Basil Leaf

Procedure:

  • Get a handful of fresh Basil leaves. Wash the leaves and crush them to make a paste.
  • Apply the Basil leaf paste on the insect bite area. Allow it to sit for a couple of hours.
  • Wash with warm water. Repeat the process twice daily for 2 to 3 days

How does this work?

Basil leaf has been used as a skin tonic to attain a blemish-free skin and as for treating minor and major skin afflictions. It has proved to be very effective in the treatment of pimples and acne. Applying basil leaf paste on an insect bite area helps detoxify and remove the harmful toxic effect some insect bites tend to have. Moreover, it helps purify the blood and hastens the healing process. Hence, Basil leaves are one of the best home remedies for insect bites.

The Remedy is not Good if:

The bite is severe and there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, and consulting a doctor in such cases is advisable

1. Organic Honey

Procedure:

  • Take two teaspoons of pure, organic honey.
  • Wash the insect bite area and apply some honey.
  • Let it sit for a couple of hours. Wash with warm water.
  • Repeat the process twice daily for 2 to 3 days.

How does this work?

The goodness of honey has been extolled in several Ayurvedic texts and it has also been extensively used in folk medicine. In Africa, honey has been traditionally used to treat burn injuries and it is believed to even help remove scars.

The antibiotic qualities of honey make it great for treating insect bites. Moreover, it has some great anti-inflammatory properties as well which help in containing the inflammation and speeds up the recovery process. Honey is one of the best natural home remedies for insect bites.

Additional tips:

  • Keep the surroundings of your house free of weeds and overgrowth of plants.
  • When kids get bitten by insects, try to identify the insect as it helps the doctor treat the condition easily.
  • Do not disturb bee hives or wasp nests in your area, if you have any of those close to your home call in a bee-keeping expert who will help relocate the nest or hive.
  • Use mosquito screens for all the windows and front door to keep away the mosquitoes. Do not use chemical based repellents.

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