Nothing hurts worse than an insect bite or sting that would literally have us writhing in agony for several hours on end. And despite trying our best to stay away from them, something or the other we do around the house (for instance, leaving leftover food or sweets on the kitchen counter or bed) attracts these insects which no doubt love to take a bite out of us, or die trying.Not that we can blame them though for in most cases, insects only bite humans when they feel endangered. And judging by the size difference, we won’t be surprised if that is every day! So instead of trying to find out a way to get rid of these pesky insects, let’s concentrate on equipping your home with certain home remedies that can come to your rescue in case of a nasty insect bite.
Effective Home Remedies For Insect Bites And Stings
Ice Pack
One of the first things you would want to do after being bit/stung by an insect is to put some ice on the bite in order to prevent swelling. If you don’t have ice, adjust with a wet, cold towel and wrap it around the bite/sting. In either case, keep the cold compress on the area for about 20 minutes (not more than that). Repeat the same every hour or so for at least 6 hours to keep the pain and swelling under control.
Banana Peel
Who said banana peels are useless? These peels can come in handy in the case of nasty insect bites or stings. All you need to do is to peel a banana and place the peel (the inner section) on the bite/sting. Keep the peel on the skin for about 1 hour and rinse the area with water. Follow up with some hand sanitizer on the bite in order to reduce the itching and irritation caused by an insect bite.
Toothpaste
Your toothpaste could potentially come to your rescue if you have been bitten by an insect. The high fluoride content in the toothpaste enables the product to act as an effective antihistamine in reducing the pain and itching caused by the bite/sting.
Mud
Nothing beats applying some mud on the bite or sting to soothe the pain, swelling and irritation that usually follows the latter. All you need to do is make a thick paste with some mud. Apply the mud paste on the bite and allow it to dry. You would notice the pain and inflammation come down significantly. Wash the area with water afterward. Repeat this remedy at least thrice a day for extended relief.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can effectively reduce the pain and swelling caused by an insect bite. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste. Apply this paste on the bite and keep it for about 30 minutes before washing with water. You can also mix a few drops of apple cider vinegar with the baking soda paste to keep the swelling down and prevent secondary infection from setting in. You can also opt to add some baking soda to a bathtub filled with warm water, and soak the wounded area in it for about 15 minutes. This can be really useful if you are bitten in more than one spot.
Mouth Wash
The moment you get bitten or stung by an insect, rush to the bathroom and grab a bottle of that mouthwash! Take a wad of cotton and soak it in the mouthwash solution. Place the soaked cotton ball directly above the wound. The pain and swelling would come down in no time. The antibacterial properties of the mouthwash would also prevent secondary infections.
Honey
Applying some honey on the bite/sting can be considered beneficial in treating the same. Wash the area with warm water first. Apply a good amount of honey on the wound and the area surrounding it to curb the inflammation. Let the honey dry completely and wash it away with lukewarm water afterwards (maybe after 20-30 minutes). You would experience less pain, itching and irritation from the bite this way.
Natural Oils
Natural oils can have soothing effects on the skin and can help treat insect bites effectively. You can use an amalgamation of lavender oil, tea tree oil and vegetable oil for the same purpose. Mix equal quantities of these oils and warm the mixture a bit. Use a cotton ball to apply the warmed oil mixture on the bitten area. Be careful that you don’t apply the oil on the other areas of the skin as it could cause a burning sensation. Leave the mixture on the wound for about 15 minutes until the swelling comes down. Wash with lukewarm water afterwards.
Onions
Bee or wasp stings can be effectively treated at home with the help of raw onions. Onions contain an enzyme that can remove the toxins present in the venom, and soothe the inflamed skin. Accordingly, cut a raw onion in half and rub one half of it on the wound gently for about 10 minutes. You can also opt to blend an onion and apply the resultant paste on the bitten area for effective results.
Papaya
Papaya contains medicinal enzymes that play a vital role in treating several kinds of insect bites. These enzymes work actively to neutralize the toxicity of the venom, thereby making it harmless on the human body. All you need to do is cut a raw papaya and place a piece of it on the bitten area. Doing so would reduce the stinging sensation and bring down the swelling to a great extent. You can also opt to grind some papaya seeds, extract the resultant juice and apply it on the bitten area for comfort.
Lemon Juice And Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix a few drops of apple cider vinegar with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Wash the bitten area in cold water first. Now apply the mixture over the area. Wait for the mixture to dry thoroughly (15-20 minutes). Wash it with warm water afterwards. Doing so would reduce the venom’s toxicity, and bring down the pain and swelling caused by the bite significantly.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known for its medicinal properties. So if you happen to have an Aloe Vera plant at home, cut open a piece of it and rub the juice seeping out of on the bitten area. You can opt to rub this juice at regular intervals throughout the day to keep the pain and swelling minimal.
