Spring has finally sprung here in the Atlanta area and along with blooming trees come annoying insects. I am compiling a list of natural remedies for insect bites to help soothe the sting when they finally find me. From mosquito bites to bee stings, bug bites take the fun out of being in nature!
Natural bug bite relief is always my first choice before reaching for over the counter anti itch remedies. What gets rid of bug bites fast? Soothe the allergic reaction and reduce itching with a few of these natural bug bite remedies.
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Natural Remedies for Insect Bites
Spring is here and I have already started tackling yard work and gardening. That means plenty of fire ants, mosquitos and other biting insects who seem to think I am the tastiest thing they have ever discovered.
How do you stop bug bites from itching? Well, everyone responds a bit differently so this might be trial and error. If you are looking for natural remedies for insect bites, here are a few that I have discovered so far.
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Green Tea
Soak a bag of green tea in ice water for a minute or so. Then, apply the cold, wet tea bag to the bite or sting. The cold temperature helps numb the pain and the green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory to take out the itch and redness.
Natural Oatmeal Treatment
Oatmeal is incredibly soothing to the skin. Make a paste with ground oatmeal and a little bit of water. Apply this to the bite. Or, you can buy Aveeno Oatmeal Bath if you need a whole tub full of insect bite relief and don’t want to make it yourself.
What if you need an insect bite swelling treatment for the whole body? Make an oatmeal anti itch bath! Grind about 1 cup of raw whole oats in a blender and add it to the tub. Add a few drops of essential oils if desired. Tea tree oil is great to help fight infection. That’s it!
Make sure the water is lukewarm and not too hot. Soak for about 20 minutes or so. Rinse in a cool shower to remove the oatmeal if needed. If you are feeling creative, make up a batch of my lavender oil oatmeal bath bombs to reduce itching.
Honey is great for insect bites!
Do you need antibiotics for insect bites? Not necessarily. Honey has antibacterial properties and has been used for eons as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent. Put a dollop of honey on your insect bite and help sooth the sting.
This is also a great natural remedy for insect bites if you are worried about a possible skin infection.
Aloe Vera
Keeping an aloe plant in your home is incredibly helpful when it comes to insect bites. Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties, so this could help soothe the itch. For even more relief, keep Aloe Vera gel in the fridge, since the cold will also help with the itchiness.
Learn how to get aloe from your Aloe Vera plant (when you need a LOT!) or buy organic Aloe Vera gel on Amazon.
Meat tenderizer
I am never really sure what is IN meat tenderizer but apparently it is great for relieving the pain of insect bites. Apply it right after you’re stung. It contains enzymes that break down the venom, reduce swelling and lessen the inflammation.
In a small bowl, combine a few teaspoons of meat tenderizer powder with enough water to form a paste. Then smear the paste on the bite and leave it on for an hour.
Basil
Basil is great at repelling mosquitos but it also has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Rub a basil leaf on your bite for a bit of itch relief.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply to your bite. It will help remove some of the redness and swelling.
Soothe bug bites with ice
Plain old ice is a great insect bite swelling home remedy. Use an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth to protect the skin and leave on for about 20 minutes or so.
Papaya
Okay, I don’t keep a lot of papayas laying around the house but if you do have one they are great natural remedies for insect bites. Lay a slice of papaya on the sting for an hour to neutralize insect venom.
Baking soda
Mix baking soda with a skin lotion, then apply it to the bite. The baking soda helps relieve inflammation while the skin lotion keeps it in place.
You can also mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a small amount of water, let it dissolve, and apply the mixture with a cotton ball. After 20 minutes or so, rinse the area with cool water.
First aid for insect bites and stings
So, what do you do when you first feel a wasp sting you or you anger a mound of fire ants?
- Wash the affected area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to the area for at least 10 minutes.
- Raise or elevate the affected area if possible, to help reduce swelling.
- Apply one of these natural bug bite remedies and then don’t scratch at it!
More Natural Remedies To Try
If natural healing is your thing, check out a few of these posts, too:
- Best Natural Remedies for Headaches and Migraines: There are many natural headache remedies that really work, depending on the type of headache you suffer from.
- All Natural Sleep Remedies for a Peaceful Drug Free Slumber: If you are having trouble sleeping, try a few of these natural sleep aids before seeking out prescription drugs.
- Tips for Growing a Medicinal Herb Garden: Here are a few tips on growing medicinal plants.
Now that you know how to heal bug bites fast, head outside and start enjoying the great outdoors! Check out EverydayHealth.com and Best Health Magazine for even more suggestions. What other natural remedies for insect bites have you tried?
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and has worked in cancer research, academics, and biotechnology. Concern over the growing incidence of human disease and the birth of her children led her to begin living a more natural life. She quickly realized that the information she was learning along the way could be beneficial to many others and started blogging and freelance writing to share this knowledge with others. Learn more about her HERE.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I like trying natural remedies, before I try medicine, so thanks for these tips.
Thx for these tips, Diane. It’s great when you can use everyday natural products to help with everyday ailments. I’m looking forward to reading more on your blog.
so glad you found them helpful! I love finding new ways to use things I already have!