Insect bites cause uncomfortable symptoms. These seven home remedies for insect bites can alleviate the symptoms in a gentle way.
What quickly helps against insect bites?
Once you didn't pay attention for a moment – you were stung by an insect. Insect bites can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, pain and swelling. Fortunately, a sting from a wasp, bee and co. Can usually be treated well yourself: We usually already have home remedies for insect bites at home and alleviate the symptoms in a gentle way.
Home remedies for insect bites at a glance
Treating wasp stings, mosquito bites, or bee stings is not that difficult. The following 7 home remedies can help against swelling, itching, redness and the like:
- Cool: Cooling is the perfect home remedy for insect bites as it is anti-inflammatory. There are several ways to cool a sting: Cold compresses can be used in the same way as ice cubes. It is only important that the cooling object is wrapped in a clean cotton cloth and does not come into direct contact with the skin – otherwise there is a risk of frostbite. The wrapped cooling aid can be placed on the puncture site for about ten minutes.
- Lemon or onion slices: The juice of lemon and onion slices has proven itself as a home remedy against symptoms such as the annoying itching and swelling that occurs when a mosquito bites. You can simply press the slices lightly onto the puncture site and rub them back and forth so that the juice comes out. These home remedies for insect bites promise quick relief. Alternatively, cucumber slices also work.
- Vinegar water: Cold compresses with vinegar water also help against insect bites, as they have an anti-inflammatory effect. This home remedy also relieves itching. For a cold compress with vinegar water, two parts of water are mixed with one part of apple cider vinegar, then a cotton cloth is dipped into the mixture and this is then placed on the puncture site.
- Essential oils: Essential oils like tea tree oil or lavender oil are good home remedies for itching or redness caused by a mosquito bite. Simply put a drop of the oil on the puncture site.
- Salt mixture: If a little salt is mixed with water until a thick paste is formed, this mixture can also be used as a home remedy for insect bites. The salt is placed directly on the sting.
- Hot spoon: Not only does cold help against insect bites, heat can also relieve the symptoms. The so-called hot spoon is particularly helpful. To do this, a spoon is briefly heated over a water bath and pressed onto the puncture site for about 10 seconds. Important: the spoon must not be too hot to avoid burns. The heat closes the pores of the skin, the puncture site is disinfected and the itching subsides.
- Lump Sugar: Sugar as a home remedy actually helps against the poison from a bee sting or wasp sting. To do this, moisten a lump of sugar and place it on the sting – the poison is neutralized.
Important: Especially when itching, you often have the urge to scratch the affected area. But we should definitely leave that – On the one hand, the itching only diminishes for a short time, and on the other, in the worst case, bacteria can get into the wound. However, the brain can be tricked a little: If you scratch immediately next to the puncture site, you will also have the feeling that the itching is subsiding.
Also important: If you have an allergy to insect bites, you should not only rely on home remedies, but if in doubt, always have the sting examined by a doctor.
Insect bites in the mouth: can home remedies provide relief?
Insect bites in the mouth should be treated with extreme caution, because in the worst case, they can be life-threatening. The sting can cause the mucous membrane to swell, making it difficult to breathe. The person concerned should be calmed down and, if possible, suckle some ice or an ice cube to reduce the swelling. A cold compress around the neck can also help. In any case, the emergency doctor should be called immediately!
Wasp stings, mosquito bites, bee stings and more: Can I prevent insect bites?
So that home remedies for insect bites are not used in the first place or we even have to see a doctor, a few tips can help prevent a sting. These tips include:
- The right clothes: Solid material can make it harder for insects such as mosquitoes to penetrate. For example, airy linen helps in summer. In addition, insects avoid light-colored surfaces – accordingly, light-colored clothing generally helps to keep the bloodsuckers away.
- Vegetable oil: Lavender, clove and lemon oils (for example from the pharmacy) contain fragrances that insects do not like. So if you plant some lavender on the balcony, for example, you will have peace from wasps, bees and mosquitoes.
- Turn off the light: Before going to bed you should definitely ventilate the apartment again for about five minutes. However, light attracts insects – so be sure to turn off the light before opening the windows.
Do you want to exchange ideas about health topics? Then take a look at our BRIGITTE Community!
sources
Przybilla, B., Ruëff, F .: Insect stings: clinical features and management, Deutsches Ärzteblatt Int 2012; 109 (13): 238-48
Allergy information service: www.allergieinformationsdienst.de
Francikowski et al. Commercially Available Essential Oil Formulas as Repellents Against the Stored-Product Pest Alphitobius diaperinus. Insects. 2019 Apr; 10 (4): 96. Published online 2019 Apr 1. doi: 10.3390 / insects10040096