The local mosquitoes announced themselves to me over the weekend by leaving a line of bites up my newly bared legs. Just so I wouldn’t forget them, they also left gifts on my arms and neck. Thanks a lot, guys. Way to celebrate my first public appearance in a bathing suit!
Hydrocortisone cream is always handy for taking the itch out of a bite or sting. You may also want to try a spritz of Bactine or another spray that includes a numbing agent.
If you’re looking for a more natural treatment, turn to your aromatherapy supplies. Chamomile, cedarwood, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender essential oils can all help reduce the swelling and itching of insect bites. Relieve the discomfort by mixing a few drops of one of these essential oils into a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Dab the mixture onto the bites as often as needed.
For more serious bites and stings, mix up a clay or mud pack and add some of these essential oils. As the clay or mud dries, it will draw toxins towards the surface of your skin to keep them from spreading. Try the mud or clay pack trick for spider bites, bee stings, or other slightly more serious bites.
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to insect bites and stings. Wearing some form of insect repellant can stop the problem before it ever starts! There are plenty of choices out there, both natural and chemical, when it comes to bug sprays. If you don’t like the thought of putting insecticides on your skin, mix up a natural insect repellant that contains citronella, lemongrass, or any lemon-scented essential oil. Eucalyptus is also good as a natural bug repellant, and lavender seems to work well for keeping bugs away from the ladies.
Adding more garlic and brewer’s yeast to your summer diet can also help your body be less appealing to biting bugs.