Table of Contents
Insect Bite Remedy
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
MOSQUITO BITES
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[YEA] 08/14/2011: Lizzie from London, Uk writes: "I always get bitten and itch so badly afterwards. Yesterday a friend told me she had tried every method under the sun to try and relieve the itching until she came across someone who told her to use a flannel placed in very hot water. Last night I was itching like crazy! Decided to give it a go. Water was so hot, almost unbearable, placed it on the bites for a couple of mins. It stings really bad and then... Nothing! What a relief. She told me that it lasts for about a day. I only tried it last night so don't know. But at last, a cure for that terrible itching!!"
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MUD, GARLIC OR CHARCOAL
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[YEA] 03/06/2008: Michelle from Lamora, Mexico writes: "Mud has always worked for ant, bee, etc. bites. We have lots of pesky insects where I live and applying a bit of mud on the bite takes the poison out and helps the sting to go away and helps the bite to heal faster. also cut garlic clove in half and applying it directly to the bite helps as good as mud. also we use charcoal. take some internally and rub it on the bite.
Ya we've had a lot of experience"
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OREGANO OIL
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[YEA] 09/06/2007: Jake from Chicago, Il. writes: "In the Illinois countryside we've never had mosquitos like we've had this summer after 8 or 9 straight days and nights of downpours with little let-up. I invariably have more than a few bites now each time I visit my orchard and garden. The only thing that saves me, although tea tree oil is pretty good too, is wild oregano oil diluted in olive oil - one or two drops per tsp., both seem to work well. Rub it on the mosquito bites or the painful wasp or bee bite and the itch or pain is immediately gone.
I refer to one painful wasp or bee bite that cut short my visit to my orchard and sent me back to the house - the oregano took care of the spreading red of the toxin immediately . The next day there was nothing but a small mark and I had no further pain or itch. I started with the oregano oil for a dark skin patch on my shin and two boil-like cysts that were on my skin for some time. Rubbing hard sometimes to the point of making it bleed, twice a day, and in about 10 days to two weeks the raised dark patch on my shin gave way to pink new skin, the eruption on my upper leg completely disapeared and now finally the eruption on the back of my neck about three inches from my ear is just about gone."
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OVER THE COUNTER
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[YEA] 10/31/2008: Francesca from Kihei, Hawaii, Maui writes: "I get welts from mosquito bites, and have found the BEST remedy for me has been Johnson and Johnson First Aid Cream! It comes in a white plastic tube. The itch goes away in seconds, and the swelling in a few minutes. Just rub a small amount right onto the bite, and massage it a little. This cream has been hard to find, so I buy several tubes of it when I do find it."
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PEPPERMINT OIL
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[YEA] 09/21/2011: Chela from Dallas, Texas writes: "I had 6 terrible bug bites on my legs that were inflamed and raised for 5 days with no itch relief. Almost immediately after applying a drop of peppermint oil to each one the itch disappeared. Yay for relief!"
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[YEA] 07/16/2008: Donna from Janesville, WI writes: "I had heard that Pure Peppermint Oil stops bug bits from itching. Well, it did, but guess what?! It also took off my nail polish!! WOW! I was in utter shock! How cool is that! Ok, I'll try and calm down now~ much love donna"
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RAGWEED
10/06/2010: Lou Thomas from Milwaukee, Wis. writes: "Just heard on public radio of using rag weed on mosquito bites ---reportedly causes welts to disappear."
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REMEDIES NEEDED
09/04/2011: Emans from London, England writes: "Hello,
Firstly thank you for taking time to read this, 2 weeks ago friday 26/08/11 I was at work at noticed that my left foot was really itchy so after suffering the entire day I finished work and headed home after checking my foot I noticed that I had received 2 bites from an insect of some sort on my ankle and at the top of my foot near my toes anyway it did not seem all bad im not new to insect bites so I ignored it totally.
After several days of continued itchiness and suffering I decided to look at my foot again having totally ignored it, however when I checked my foot this time I was shocked to see that on the top of my foot near my toes the bite had gone from a simple bite to a circle very red/purple about a coin and half in size if not bigger and on the ankle it had swollen some and again become very red I decided that I had never seen this before so I went to the gp the day after the doctor confirmed it was an insect bite and was unable to tell me what insect she gave me antibiotics named flucloxacillin (500mg capsules) had to take 4 every day and today a week after my foot has not improved and while one of the circle has gone there some sort of different red marks I took some pictures,
This are the ankle shots (sorry they are terrible),
[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/emanssj7/IMAG0054.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/emanssj7/IMAG0055.jpg[/IMG]
And these are my toes ones,
[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/emanssj7/IMAG0053.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/emanssj7/IMAG0052.jpg[/IMG]
As you can see from the white stains I have tried baking soda, keeping my foot in boiling water with salt, and your normal house old disinfectant but nothing has stopped the itchiness or made these bites go away so I found this site and hoping you guys have some suggestions of what to do.
Once again thank you for reading this."
Replies09/05/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Hi Emans, Last week the top of my foot was swollen and itchy we could see it was a bite of some sort so tried the usual things that mostly work for me but this time they didn't. Then tried iodine topically and in less than a minute the itching stopped. It came back in a couple of hours so reapplied the iodine. Did the iodine about four times that day and the next. Also did one application on the second day of an arthritis/muscle cream that contained boswellia. No more itching and is currently healing nicely, just two scabs both smaller than a pinhead. The iodine gave almost instant relief from the itching. All the best."
09/05/2011: Maggie from Liverpool, Merseyside replies: "To Emans of London.Insects love eating me. Over the summer, while gardening I had a few bites unlike any I had before. Very bad reaction & quite a large piece of skin/flesh was visibly missing. I tried all the usual remedies. Nothing worked & they wouldn't heal properly for a couple of weeks. I was left with scars.
I recently 'discovered' this site, and next time I was bitten by the mystery insect, I tried using 3% HP on a Qtip. Unbelievable!!! Itching stopped immediately. No swelling. Healed in a couple of days with no scarring. Amazing! Still no idea which insect it was though! Try it...... Good Luck.....Maggie"
09/05/2011: Emans from London, England replies: "Thank you for the replies,This may be a silly question what is 3% HP? also thank you maria I will try to get what you suggested as soon as possible."
EC: 3% HP= hydrogen peroxide
09/05/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Sorry forgot to say it was lugol's iodine. I do think any iodine would be ok as it's for topical application."
09/05/2011: Jr from Coloma, Mi replies: "I know this sounds crazy but the thing that works really well is to put a penny on any bite. We just tape it on with some scotch tape and forget about it. It takes the itch out. We have been using it for mosquito bites but it may work for other bites as well. If it is still itching when we go to bed, we leave it on overnight and that usually takes care of it without using anything else."
09/05/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "It doesn't sound crazy if penny's are made of copper. Copper is a natural antibacterial agent. It will kill off most bacteria pretty quick. It can even kill MRSA very quick in a couple of hours and E Coli. Amazing stuff."
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05/22/2011: Andreea from Grimsby, On, Canada writes: "Hello
I need help: my son (4) got bitten yesterday by a mosquito while we were up north (Canada). The spot got swollen a bit right after the bite and I put some coconut oil on it. About two hours later the spot on his forehead became really swollen. The bump is about 3-4 cm in diamater and about 1 cm in height. That was yesterday. Today it looks about the same, if not a bit biffer. It is not read, it isn't hot and it's not itching. What do you think I should use to reduce the inflamation?
Thank you"
Replies05/23/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Hi Andreea, I wouldn't worry much if I were you! The bites will disappear even if it takes a few days. Once I was badly bitten on one leg in Denmark. The next day my leg was all swollen from the ankle to the knee. It didn't itch at all but it felt very weird. You could try lemon juice, for example, or essential oils, there are several that help with mosqito bites like lavender or tea tree oil. Coconut oil should help as well. One thing that helps with the itching is saliva and you always have it with you. Good luck...."
05/23/2011: Andreea from Grimsby, On replies: "Hello Francisca and thank you for your thoughts. I tried coconut oil right after he got bitten and again a few hours later. Yesterday I tried tea tree oil and lavander oil in a grapeseedoil base. Didn't work. We went to the hospital today, as it seems to be getting bigger, but the doctor only recommended Benadryl (antihistamine) which I am still reluctant to give. I read somewhere that blowing warm air with an hairdrier decreases the swelling as the heat de-activates histamines. I will try this too, if my son will let me :)If it works, I'll post it on here.
All the best, Andreea"
05/23/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "Hi Andrea,Please be careful with the hair dryer treatment. Even at 'warm' it could still damage the skin, possibly burn. I've not heard of a hair dryer de-activating histamines.
Drinking water and electrolytes will flush out histamines. It'll take time, but it's worked for me. I've also been taking Benadryl the last couple of days, sparingly -- it's with long term use that is a bigger concern.
Have you tried a vitamin E cream on the bite, or stinging nettle tincture w/jojoba, or diluted ACV dabbed on? Baking soda paste on bee/insect stings helps soothe:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/FA00046
Thoughts of quick healing for your son,
Sheila"
05/23/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "P. S. If you do use Benadryl, they do sell it in a dye-free version, 25 mg. I'd look for dye-free in the children's formula depending on the age of your child."
05/23/2011: Andreea from Grimsby, On Canada replies: "Hello SheilaI know, the hairdryer thing is strange, but I saw it in different places... Of course, I wouldn't keep it on high or anywhere too close to the face, and I don't think a little heat can do much harm... that being said Andrei still hasn't allowed me to do it.
Here's a link on the dryer info
http://www.howtodothings.com/health-fitness/cure-a-bug-bite-with-a-hair-dryer
Andreea"
05/23/2011: Michelle from Cambridge, Cambs / Uk replies: "Dear Andreea, I get bitten so much, more than anyone else I know! I have found wonderful castor oil is the best after bite solution, For prevention, I squeeze fresh lemon juice and pat it on bare skin and hair. It actually deters them. I found these remedies whilst being eaten alive in India!"
05/25/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "Hm. I wonder if one could use this 'warmth' cure, and sit out in the warm sun for 5-10 minutes and get the same result, exposing the bite. One would get a dose of vit D to boot.If you ever try it, please post if it works."
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05/17/2011: Lamplighter from Albuquerque, Nm writes: "I have two indoor cats. While living in NC, I experienced fleas for the first time. I am now in NM and am experiencing them again! I have treated both cats with frontline plus - can't say that it really seems to help - then or now (any suggestions for other product?). I have bites on my head (sores) and also sores on my back. I also find very tiny little red marks on various places on my body which I assume are where the bites took place. I do see little black dots and have had a doc and vet test but there is no blood in them. I also have seen little slivers of black pieces on my skin as well. I vacuum, dust and wash clothing and sheets. It seems like when I put on clothing that has been washed, I am bitten from the clothing - can the fleas exist in the clothing? Could the washing/moisture and heat increase productivity - hatching of eggs? It seems the bugs reside in the fabric, sheets and/or clothes. I have thrown away clothes because I feel like I get bitten when wearing them. I know they always talk of fleas itching but I find them more of a sore feeling than an itching feeling. My cats seem less bothered than I.
I wonder at times if the frontline plus, borax, comet, etc are causing me a chemical reaction and my skin is reacting in this weird way????I have not seen a flea on them this go-roudn but did see ONE in NC. I have sprinkled borax soap around, tried spraying with vinegar, comet, etc. I have also seen some red "tracks" on my skin - I find myself picking at my head and possibly spread onto my skin by touch. I don't know whether to shower more or less - again without knowing if I am increasing the numbers because of the moisture. I even use a body scrubber and leave shampoo and conditioner in hair in hopes of killing them.
I would wonder if I am imagining all of this but I have a cousin who has had the exact same symptoms - down to the last detail. He is not someone I spend time with but rather contacted him after learning of he was having similar problems. I could go on and on but I think that gives you somewhat of an idea."
Replies06/19/2011: Bughater from Chicago, Il replies: "What you describe sounds like bed bugs... Have you checked the seams of the mattress etc? These are very difficult to get rid of to say the least and they hitch rides in your clothing..... Do some research for tell tale signs in the room. Look for black dots on furniture etc these would be the droppings... They like wood so start with any wooden furniture in the room first. They do not travel very far from their food source so they should be close to the bed if this is the case. I worked with my neighbor for three months to get rid of them in her house! We wrapped the mattresses in plastic covers... Duct taped the zipper completely, put borax around the bed, vaseline on any climbing source to the bed, sprayed the entire room down with alcohol (we were told it may kill the eggs before they can hatch), and finnally she would wear long sleeves, pajama pants and socks to bed. No bites for a long time now and she only saw one or two small ones which she immediately killed after that... easy to find if you know what you are looking for but they spread out so you just have to be vigilant. I hope this helps! Good Luck"
06/19/2011: Mary from Regina, Saskctchewan, Canada replies: "Hi: I was just reading that Food Grade Diatomacious Earth was a very effective killer of Bed Bugs. See a web site called Wolf Creek Ranch for a better description of all the amazing features of this unique silica product."
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SALT
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[YEA] 08/02/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin writes: "Try rubbing salt into a mosquito bite, just ordinary table salt. I tried it on a new itchy bite I thought was from a mosquito; the bite was gone the next day. Mosquito bites usually last days on me."
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TEA TREE OIL
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[YEA] 10/12/2009: Lisa from Coto De Caza, Ca writes: "My daughter woke up one morning with a few bug bits (most likely spider bites) that itched and were swollen. We put a little tea tree oil on it and the itching stopped very quickly. The next day the bites were completely gone. A few days later I had a bug bite that itched like crazy, so I tried the tea tree oil on it and it worked great."
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[YEA] 01/03/2009: Kathleen from Brisbane, Australia writes: "Living in Australia, tea tree is readily available at supermarkets etc, and is great for taking away the itch from flea, mosquito, midgee bites (and lots more). It works by 1. taking away the itch - anaesthetic; 2. healing the infected area (antiseptic), and repels the other bugs hat might come near you.
I dip a cotton bud into the oil (100%, or even the dilluted version) and rub it onto the bite, sometimes I reapply it, and before you know it - its gone!"
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TIGER BALM
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[YEA] 06/29/2008: Deirdre from Atlanta, GA writes: "Well, I don't know why, but this summer the Vitamin B-6 and B-12 are not working to prevent mosquito bites! I have been taking the supplements for the past week and have gotten a bunch of mosquito bites when I walk outside. Last summer I didn't get any bites when I took the supplements. I had my husband test the supplements and he too got eaten alive one night. Tiger Balm is still the best remedy in my opinion to remove the itch from bites.
One great side effect from the supplements however, is that they appear to be a great natural deodorant! No baking soda necessary on the armpits when taking these 2 vits. Hopefully others will try them and let me know if they agree on the b/o."
Replies[YEA] 06/28/2011: Rebekah from Anchorage, Ak, Usa replies: "Thank you for this suggestion. We forgot our bug dope on our camping trip this weekend and the mosquitoes really got me before the local place opened up so we could buy some repellent. So far the Tiger Balm is working well. I can tell I'm going to need several applications, but for the moment my calves aren't itching like crazy."
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[YEA] 04/28/2008: Michelle from Pasadena, CA writes: "For some reason, in the past 2 or 3 years, i've had 3 bad cases of allergic reactions to insect or arachnid bites, though i've never been able to pinpoint exactly what's been biting me. The doc's said take allergy meds, but nothing seems to work (i've got about 3 tubes of cream in my cabinet) and the ITCHING!!!! The itching is the worst part of it all. I woke up 8 times last night scratching my leg, and i knew if i could just get the itching to stop, the bite would heal much faster and i wouldn't be causing all this swelling and put myself at an impetigo risk. I've used Tiger Balm for sore muscles before, but never for bites. I'm now sitting here cool as a cucumber, tingly, and ITCH FREE for the first time!!! I can throw out those tubes of cream and keep an all natural multitasker, my cabinet, and my legs thak you."
Replies[YEA] 07/05/2009: Bryana from Woodland Hills, CA replies: "This TIGER BALM remedy works! I love it. I had bites that itch like crazy so i put Calamine on it and it didn't work. I came to earth clinic and read on and i found this remedy I tried it and right now i am tingling and i fill fine and NO itching. It burns a bit at first but after it leaves a nice tingling feeling I LOVE IT!"
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VINEGAR FOR BITING FLIES
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[YEA] 04/09/2008: Karen from Minneapolis, Minnesota writes: "1/4 Vinegar 3/4 Water Spray Bottle Stopped Biting Flies on me and my Dog. We live on a lake and have lots of flies and mosquitos. This worked great. Good for my skin and my dog didn't have any fleas. Seemed to work on all pesty bugs. Great for horses too although it works better on a rag. Horses don't like the spray bottle noise. I use also when outdoors i.e.golfing."
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VITAMIN C
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[YEA] 12/14/2008: Donna from Port Huron, MI writes: "We do backpacking in remote areas in northern Michigan where mosquitoes and black flies can make a trip unbearable. I read about taking Vitamin B6 to prevent bites, tried it and found it completely successful. But one time when backpacking with our daughter, I had forgotten the B6 but was taking Vitamin C up to my bowel tolerance level for a specific medical problem. So my blood and cells were full of Vitamin C. I noticed that my daughter's legs were covered with mosquitoes and black flies and in a few minutes, each bite would swell up and become red. I was surrounded by flies and mosquitoes but either I was not bitten (I did not feel anything) or I did not have any reaction. I think that the mosquitoes do not like the high acid content of the blood (I was taking the acidic form of Vitamin C). In addition, when cell and tissue fluid are saturated with Vitamin C, edemas will be removed by the body very quickly. I think this probably is why bites either do not swell or do not last very long if people are taking Vitamin C."
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[YEA] 05/29/2008: WT from Spartanburg, sc writes: "Vitamin C for Insect Bites and Allergies: I had a spider bite once that swelled on my forearm like a half-egg under the skin. I took 3-4G of ascorbic acid, the cheap Vitamin C from Sams club, about once every hour and a half or so. By dark the swelling was down to maybe 10%. I continued overnight and all day the next day. During that time, while in the yard working, I felt something on my arm. I looked down to see a "fireant" biting feverishly the back of my hand. I assumed there must be something wrong with him as I didn't feel any burning. Another one bit me later with the same results. I only noticed a feeling like something was crawling on me. The wounds never swelled, turned red or itched! It must have been the massive doses of C circulating in my blood.
I estimated I consumed about 40 grams of C over a 24hr period. Normally that much C will give you severe diarrhea and gas! I had neither.
I also take it for severe allergy flareups with great and quick relief, though only last for 2-4 hours, depending on the intensity of the allergen."
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VITAMIN C, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
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[YEA] 09/26/2011: Victor from San Diego, Ca writes: "I used to be mosquitos' favourite meal, and I was also quite alergic to their bites: big part of me would swell up and look like a jelly for several days. During last year I started taking vitamin B complex, and large doses of vitamin C (about one gram before every meal or snack). This summer I noticed that mosquitos stayed away from me, even though they got my partner a few times. I am not sure if it was vitamin C, or the B complex. However, I noticed that when a few weeks ago I switched from the acidic version of vitamin C to the ascorbate version, some of the magic went away, and I got bitten again.
Then I made a wonderful discovery. I rubbed the bite mark with vinegar for about a minute, and the swelling and itching dissappeared after a few minutes. I used the unfiltered organic ACV, but I am not sure if the vinegar type mattered."
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WHITE VINEGAR
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[YEA] 09/04/2008: Maatka from Chicago, IL writes: "White vinegar and my mineral Mud mask did the trick for us. I was awaken at 2am by my 5 year old crying and in pain from several mosquito bits on her finger that that swollen to twice the size. It was itching and burning and I immediately check earthclinic for a remedy. First I applied the vinegar with a cotton ball waited until it dried and then coated and covered the area with some mineral mud I had left over from a beauty treatment, it worked like a charm and now only 20 min later she's fast asleep. Thanks earthclinic, now I can get some rest, at least until the next midnight emergency lol. One more thing, next time I'll apply the white vinegar Immediately after the insect bits takes place, as it takes away the itching almost instantly."
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[YEA] 12/12/2007: LORA from CONROE, TX writes: "WHITE VINEGAR FOR ANT BITES. I AM ALLERGIC TO ANT BITES AND SWELL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I PUT WHITE VINEGAR ON THEM AND IT TAKES THE SWELLING AND ITCHING RIGHT OUT."
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WHITEFLOWER OIL
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[YEA] 02/08/2012: Jennywren from Perth, Western Australia, Australia writes: "YEA. My 5yo comes up with terrible welts after being bitten by mozzies. Then he scratches them, they scab, and it goes on for days.
A friend suggested whiteflower oil for the itching. Whiteflower oil is available at Chinese supermarkets where they also sell Chinese medicine. The itching went away instantly! Fantastic for putting on the bites before bed: needs to be reapplied 1-2 twice daily though."
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