Bugs are creepy and crawly creatures that everyone fears. However, all bugs are not harmful. Bugs can be of various types, like mosquitoes, lice, ticks, bees and so on. Some are harmless, while others can be poisonous. Getting bitten by a bug can cause irritation and is a very annoying experience. You need not rush to your doctor just because you are bitten by a bug.
Home Remedies for Bug Bites:
Apply aloe vera paste:
Take some aloe vera leaves and keep them in the refrigerator. Then you can grind them and make a paste out of them. Apply this paste on the area affected. This is good for treating bug bites because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also provide you relief from the pain and the itch that come with the bite.
Apply apple cider vinegar:
Applying apple cider vinegar helps in preventing any infection from spreading around the bitten area. It is also good for soothing the area bitten by the bug. Immediately after you apply it, it may cause a bit of sting. This is good as it will distract you from the itching on the skin.
Ammonia:
Ammonia is also good for getting relief from the itching and pin that you experience after you are bitten by a bug. Apply ammonia on the affected area as soon as possible. This will provide you relief.
Electric current:
This is a military tactic. When you are bitten by a spider, bee or ant, all you have to do is to wet the bitten area and put a 9-volt battery on it. This helps in preventing the poison of the bite from spreading. It will also provide you relief from the pain you experience due to bug bite.
Mud:
Mud is also said to give you relief from bug bite and the pain thus caused. All you have to do is to mix mud with little water to make a paste. Apply this on the affected area and wait for about 20 minutes. Now wash it off with water and soap. You will get instant relief from the sting.
Onion poultice:
Onion is great for treating bug bites. Take an onion and chop it finely. Cook it with some water till it is tender but not brown. Wrap this warm onion in a cheese cloth and or a flour sack towel, and apply it on the affected area. This can easily provide you relief and reduce the swelling caused due to the bite.
Rub with banana peel:
Rubbing banana peel on the area where you have been bitten by the bug can help in soothing the area affected. This is because banana contains calcium. This mineral can help the skin heal fast. But like honey, it can also attract more insects. So, you have to be careful.
Sugar:
Sugar is very effective for taking of the sting when you are bitten by a bug. Take a damp towel with sugar and put it on the bitten area. Keep it there for about 10 minutes. This can provide you immediate relief.
Tobacco:
Tobacco can help in getting you relief from bug bites. Apply tobacco juice or wet tobacco on the affected area. This can provide you relief from the itch and the pain you feel.
Use honey:
Applying honey is very effective for treating bug bites. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and helps in soothing the bug bite. It can also prevent spreading of the infection due to bug bite. However, it can attract more bugs due to its sweetness.
Use rubbing alcohol:
Rubbing the alcohol on the bitten area can stop the bite from getting infected. This is because of the antiseptic properties of alcohol. When you apply this on the affected area, it may sting for a while, but this will keep you distracted and prevent you from scratching the itch around the bite.
Use basil leaves:
Basil leaves are known for its anti-inflammatory properties. So, they are great for treating bug bites, especially mosquito bites. It can also help in decreasing the swelling that comes with bug bites. Basil leaves are also known to repel mosquitoes.
Use Listerine:
You may be surprised to know that Listerine can also treat bug bites. Many of you may not believe that it can be effective. However, it is very effective because it contains menthol in it. It helps in keeping the irritated skin around the bite cool. It also provides you relief from the itching.
Use sticky tape:
This is more of a precautionary measure. When you put a sticky tape on the affected area, you are not able to scratch on the area. If you go on scratching over the bite, you may break the skin and infect the area. The sticky tape helps in preventing it.
Use tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is known for its antiseptic properties. It is also good for treating bug bites. It can stop the infection from spreading. Applying tea tree oil also causes a burning sensation at first. But it is known to be very effective for curing bug bites.
So, now that you have learnt how to treat bug bite itching, do not panic when you are bitten by a bug next time. However, if you are bitten by a dangerous and poisonous insect, then it is better that you consult your doctor. These are simple home remedies and are effective. But they will not be very useful when you have to treat poison and venom.