Natural Remedies For Bug Bites
Bug bites? Ugh! These can be terribly annoying and rampant during the summer. With bug bites comes itching. You may wonder why these bites cause itching, and here is why: Bugs inject saliva or venoms into the skin of their ‘victims.’ The body reacting to the saliva releases histamine, which results in an allergic reaction causing an itch. Symptoms of bug bites range from benign symptoms such as minor swelling, redness, mild burning, to malignant symptoms. Sicknesses and diseases related to bug bites include Lyme disease (ticks), Chagas disease (kissing bug), yellow fever, plagues, dengue fever, malaria (mosquitos), the list goes on.
Several natural remedies alleviate these itching, swelling, and pains caused by some of these bugs, and the following are some of them.
- Milk and water: Milk contains a protein that helps in soothing the skin. Mix an equal amount of water and skimmed milk, dip a napkin into the mixture, and place on the affected part, and soon you’ll be relieved.
- Lime or lemon juice: This contains anti-bacterial that helps to reduce itching. If you use this juice for your skin, you may want to avoid the rays from the sun, as this may cause burns.
- Toothpaste: I’m pretty sure we all have toothpaste at home. Use a toothpaste that has peppermint or mint flavor. It creates a cooling effect on your skin, and its astringent nature help to calm down the swelling.
- Teabags: This helps in drawing out fluid from the bite, thereby reducing the swelling and itching. Take a tea bag and heat in water for some minutes, allow to cool down and place on your skin.
- Coconut oil: This contains anti-bacterial that helps in soothing and healing an itchy skin. It also helps to protect the bite from dirt and dust, which may result in further irritation of the skin.
- Lavender oil: This helps in calming the itching sensation. Just place a drop on the affected parts. Now, this oil may contain different levels of acidic content for various brands. It is advisable to mix with water before applying to the skin to prevent skin irritation.
- Honey is anti-inflammatory and therefore stops itching on the skin.
- Tea Tree oil contains anti-bacterial that doesn’t only reduce swelling or pains, but also relieves itching and prevents infections that the bite may cause due to excessive scratching.
- Ice packs: Ice packs help in making the area numb, thereby reducing pains and swelling.
- Baking soda: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste and then add topically to the affected area. It helps in reducing the itching caused by the bite.
- Basil leaves: Basil leaves contain a substance known as camphor, which is almost like menthol in toothpaste. Grind the leaves into a powdered form and add little water to make it into a paste, then apply to the bite. It relieves your skin of itching. So when next you have a bug attack, remember your basil leaves are not just for your kitchen. It can save you a great deal.
- Apple cider vinegar contains low acidic levels that can help in blocking itching. You could either dab on the affected parts or add 2-3 cups in a bathtub and soak yourself there for some minutes.
Before applying these treatments on your skin, take note of the bug that bit you, that is. Is it was a mosquito, bedbug, tick, bee, biting ants or flies, mites, scorpions, lice, fleas, spider, and so on? See a doctor ASAP if you become dizzy or nauseous from the bite of a bug.
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