Search results
People also ask
What are the best home remedies for bug bites?
How do you get rid of itch after a insect bite?
How do you get rid of bug bites & stings naturally?
- Peppermint essential oil. This delectable essential oil doubles as a bug-bite soother. The cooling sensation it provides to the skin counteracts the burning, stinging, and itching.
- Lavender essential oil. If you’ve ever taken a big whiff of lavender, you know instantly calming it can be. Well, it’s equally calming on your inflamed, irritated, bug-bitten skin.
- Baking soda. This home remedy for bug bites is great for both adults and children since baking soda is so gentle. A true multitasker, baking soda doesn’t just work its magic in your meals—it can also relieve irritation and itchiness.
- Echinacea liquid extract. This natural remedy has been a staple in people’s medicine cabinets for centuries—and for good reason. Echinacea is a liquid extract from the echinacea plant, which is part of the daisy family.
- When You Should See A Doctor For Bug Bites
- How to Prevent Bug Bites
- 6 Home Remedies For Bug Bites That Promise Quick Itch Relief
- Home Remedies For Bug Bites FAQs
Before we dive into the home remedies for bug bites that swell and itch, it's important to note that there are some bites that might require more serious medical attention. While mosquito bites are usually easily identifiable as an itchy, red bump on your skin, there are others that can be more serious. For example, tick bites—which can leave behin...
To prevent insects from feasting on your sweet flesh in the first place, there are a few things you can do. Cover up (especially your arms and legs) when you're out walking or hiking to deter ticks, mosquitos, and fleas. Clothing also works as sun protection. And always remember to wear bug spray (pro tip: the ingredient picaridin is a great mosqui...
1. Oatmeal bath for bug bites
You know how oatmeal baths are a must when you come into contact with poison ivy? It's also a soothing—and super relaxing!—strategy for alleviating itchy bug bites. Especially if you have them all over your body. "Colloidal oatmealis simply oats that have been ground and boiled to extract their skin-healing properties," Dr. Barr says. "Oatmeal is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and lipids. It's anti-inflammatory with itch-relieving benefits, helps restore the skin barrier, moisturiz...
2. Baking soda for bug bites
Rubbing baking soda on bug bites probably isn't something you want to do before you head out for the day, but it's the perfect home remedy for bug bites when you have a few hours of chill time. "Add a few drops of water to some baking soda, mix it into a paste, apply it directly onto bug bites, and allow it to dry," Barr says. "The alkalinity of baking soda can help neutralize the pH of an infected area and reduce itching."
3. Witch hazel for bug bites
Witch hazel is known for being able to clear up pimples like magic, and it's also a dermatologist-approved itch relief remedy, according to Dr. Barr. Simply apply a small amount of witch hazel extract directly to the skin with a cotton ball, or dilute it in a carrier oil—like coconut or jojoba—to create a cream that can help with itching, irritation, and inflammation. "Witch hazel is a type of plant native to North America, and its bark, twigs and leaves are rich in polyphenols and tannins, w...
Okay but really, what is the fastest way to heal bug bites naturally?
In addition to the above home remedies for bug bites, taking proper care of bug bites is also key for a fast recovery. At the top of the dermatologist-recommended itch remedies is applying ice on the bug bite on and off for an hour or so as soon as you notice it. “This will minimize the amount redness and itch that develops,” Dr. Ciraldo says. Whatever you do, don’t apply heat, which will increase the swelling and itchiness. Second, and perhaps most importantly, don’t pick or scratch the bug...
What home remedy stops bug bites from itching?
If the itching, in particular, is what’s driving you up the wall (been there), Dr. Song says the best derm-approved bug bite solutionsare natural anti-inflammatory ingredients. “Bug bites are inflammatory responses by the body and are best healed quickly with anti-inflammatory ingredients,” she explains. So anti-itch home remedies such as aloe vera, vinegar, garlic, peppermint oil, and mint can help speed the healing of a bug bite and calm the itch. There is a caveat, though: “Beware that the...
Why are bug bites worse at night?
Serious question: Why does the bug bite itchiness seem to get somuch worse when you're trying to relax and get ready for bed? “Our movement during the day increases blood flow to our skin, so by night time, the increased cutaneous blood flow creates heightened redness and itch,” Dr. Ciraldo explains. Also, cortisol, aka the stress hormone, tends to dip at night, which can take the itchiness up a notch. “Cortisol typically fights inflammation and decreases itch sensations,” Dr. Song explains....
- Honey. "Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties," says Kemunto Mokaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston, Texas. Bringing down inflammation helps soothe swelling, and keeping bacteria at bay reduced the chance that the bite will become infected.
- Witch Hazel. The leaves and bark of the witch hazel plant are used to make astringents and ointments. Image Credit: © Jackie Bale/Moment/GettyImages. "Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe skin," Dr. Mokaya says.
- Aloe Vera. "The gel from aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties," Dr. Mokaya says, which is why it's so often touted as a remedy for sunburns. Advertisement.
- Oatmeal. Your favorite breakfast doubles as a treatment for insect bite swelling. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages. "Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties," Dr. Mokaya says.
- Oatmeal. One remedy for an uncomfortable mosquito bite may also be one of your favorite breakfasts. Oatmeal can relieve itching and swelling because it contains special compounds that have anti-irritant qualities.
- Crushed ice. Cold temperatures and ice can reduce inflammation. The cold also numbs the skin, which can give you immediate but short-term relief. How to use.
- Heat. Turning up the temperature on your bug bite may also help you get relief. How to use. You can purchase a tool like BiteAway for targeted heat treatment to the bite, or try soaking a cloth in warm water and applying it to the bite for up to 10 minutes.
- Honey. This sugary sweet substance is a common pick among home-remedy enthusiasts. Honey has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for ailments like sore throats and dry skin.
- Ice and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Note: Most of the time I only use remedies that are applied directly to the bite/sting, but taking oral diphenhydramine in addition to topical treatment may be helpful for severe reactions.
- Hot Compresses. Some people prefer heat over cold. Linda noted on Facebook, “A hot compress applied several times stops the sting. Some people heat up a spoon and apply to bite.
- Plantain (Plantago species) Common Plantain and narrowleaf plantain are excellent home remedies for bug bites and stings of all sorts. Simply find a leaf, chew it up (or otherwise mash it to release the juices), and apply it to the affected area.
- Essential Oils. Laurie G. says, “Lavender oil is the best remedy for bites and stings! When I owned a lavender/herb farm, yellow jacket stings happened frequently!
Sep 14, 2023 · Skincare. 16 Best Ways to Stop Bug Bites From Itching, According to Doctors. Whether you were bitten by a mosquito, tick, or spider, these remedies will help you find relief. By Jake Smith,...
Jul 28, 2021 · Scratching a bug bite might provide temporary relief, but experts warn it can make the itch even worse. And a quick Google search will yield lots of DIY remedies, but not all of them actually work. We consulted with some experts to bring you this guide on what really helps and what to do after you get a bug bite:
