insect side

Our fully inclusive guide to the best home remedies for insect bites that you should know about.

Insect bites. Do we want them? No. Do we need them? No. Do they benefit us in any way whatsoever? No. Are we likely to end up with them at LEAST once in our lifetime? Absolutely.

They’re absolutely not ideal, and at times, they can actually be dangerous. Bitten by a venomous insect, you can find yourself with a variety of illnesses and reactions. Let’s take ticks for example. Although small and irritating, they actually contribute to the contraction of Lyme Disease. Yikes.

When the venom of an insect enters the bloodstream, the symptoms can vary. They can be minor, such as a small amount of itching and swelling, or can be more serious, with some severe swelling and extreme pain taking place.

In some cases, those who are allergic, say to bee stings for example, can end up in what is called anaphylactic shock, which will require them to have immediate medical attention.

Today, however, we’re going to be looking at the slightly less serious side of insect bites, particularly on the topic of what home – made remedies are the most effective in treating insect bites.

Trust us, you NEED to know these remedies. Read on for more information!

What is Likely to Cause Insect Bites?

Before delving right into our favourite remedies, we’re going to be taking a look at the things that are likely to cause you to be in a situation where you end up being bitten by an insect.

If disturbed or threatened, wasps are likely to sting people.
Bee hives and hornets nests being disturbed can also cause them to actively come out and look to sting the culprit.
If you are near or happen to be in stagnant water, you should know this is where mosquitoes actually breed, and therefore are most likely to sting you.
If you step on or near an ant hill, it’s likely they’ll bite you. You did just stand on their home, after all.

Find out how Insect Repellant (IR) 3535 can be used to protect yourself from pests lurking in your homes. Read this article to learn more.

Learn More About What IR-3535 Is

What are the Main Symptoms that Insect Bites Cause?

In many cases, you might not even know that you have been bitten by an insect straight away, as it’s not always noticeably painful.

If you’re concerned that you have been bitten but aren’t sure, then you should be looking out for these symptoms:

Redness in a particular area, usually accompanied by swelling.
Any lumpy welts around the affected area.
A burning sensation in the area.
Pain and itching where you think you may have been bit.

How do I Know if I Need Medical Attention?

Medical Attention

We did mention above that in some more serious cases, people may need medical attention. It can be difficult to know whether or not you might need to consult your doctor about the symptoms you’re having.

We would recommend calling a medical professional if you develop the following symptoms:

You have any difficulty breathing whatsoever.
The affected skin becomes pale, and / or hives begin to appear.
You have a distinct drop in blood pressure levels.
Your tongue and / or throat swell up, and you have any difficulty swallowing.

What are the Best Home Remedies for Insect Bites that we Really Need to Know?

Now we know a little more information on the background of why insect bites happen, what the symptoms of them are, and when you should seek medical attention, we should really get right to it.

Although in more serious cases you should always consult the advice of your doctor, for basic and common insect bites, there are plenty of easy home remedies.

What are the best home remedies for insect bites that you must know? Let’s take a look, shall we.

Home Remedies Pros

Home remedies are convenient for everyone.
Home remedies are less dangerous.
Home remedies can reduce the risk of widespread of illnesses.

Home Remedies Cons

Home remedies take too long for results to show.
Home remedies don't work as well as pharmaceutical drugs.
Home remedies can cause poisoning when done incorrectly.

Aloe Vera Gel

First up, we’re taking a look at how beneficial aloe vera gel can be used to relieve insect bite symptoms.

In order to get the purest form of aloe vera gel, you should take it from an aloe vera plant directly. Although you can buy it online, we would recommend keeping a real aloe vera plant in your home, and doing the following:

Take one of the thicker leaves from your aloe vera.
Remove all of the prickly thorns from either side of the leaf.
You will see a clear, and none – coloured gel. You should scrape this into a bowl or jar.
Mix two teaspoons of turmeric – easily bought in the herbs and spices aisle of grocery stores – with this gel in order to create a paste.
Apply the aloe vera and turmeric mixture to the effected bitten areas.

Aloe vera is a well known cure for many skin ailments, and has been for many years. It helps to restore the effected skin to its’ original condition because its’ qualities are naturally antiseptic.

It includes anti – inflammatory agents, which will reduce inflammation and swelling from the bite. Turmeric, has also always been known to help treat burns and wounds for many years. The two create an effective remedy, which is easy to make at home.

If the bite is severe, or if you have any symptoms of anaphylaxis, then you should always consult a medical professional.

Baking Soda

Many of us will have baking soda around the house, and may even use it for domestic purposes such as cleaning and removing stains. Little do many of us realise, it can actually provide a useful remedy for insect bites!

In order to create a baking soda solution, you should do the following:

Take one teaspoon of baking soda – the scientific name of which is sodium bicarbonate.
Sprinkle this into some water to form a paste.
Apply this paste on the areas effected by the insect bite.
Repeat this process twice per day for two to three days.

This works because the baking soda will have a soothing affect on your skin, and it will actually give you quick and instant relief from itching and soreness. It’s very simple to make and easy to use, as well as being entirely effective.

This works because baking soda has a pH level which is moderately alkaline. We would consider this one of the best home remedies for the swelling of mild insect bites.

Again, if you have any serious symptoms, you should consult a medical professional.

Raw Garlic

This is one of those remedies that you’re likely to have in your kitchen already, meaning it’s accessible quickly.

You’ll be surprised to hear that raw garlic can be a great remedy for insect bites, and in order to use it effectively you should do the following:

Take out two or three cloves of garlic.
Peel these, wash them, and crush them until you create a paste.
Cover this with a thin gauze, and it to settle overnight.
In the morning, wash the bite with warm water and the garlic mixture.
This process shout be repeated every day for two or three days.

Your doctor will tell you if you ask them that garlic has some great antibiotic qualities to boot, as well as it having antiparasitic properties and can help to contain venom if any is injected into the blood stream during the bite.

It’s a great natural treatment for minor insect bites and stings, but if you have any serious symptoms you should consult a medical professional.

Fresh Lemon

Another common remedy for bug bites and stings found in the kitchen, is fresh lemon.

In order to use lemon effectively to treat the bite, you should do the following:

Get a fresh lemon, and cut it into two halves.
Apply one of the cut pieces to the insect bite, and rub. Warning – it might sting a little.
Allow the lemon juice the time to soak into the skin.
After a couple of hours or so, wash the wound with warm water.
Repeat this process every day for two or three days.

It works because lemon juice is rich in citric acids. This acts well on the skin by making it numb to the itching feeling cause by the bite.

As well as this, lemon juice has some great anti – bacterial properties, so can help to prevent any kind of infection.

You must male sure the lemon juice is applied soon after the bite happens, as this is usually when the itchiness begins.

Again, if your symptoms are severe, contact a medical professional.

Salt

Yet ANOTHER commonly found kitchen essential that can help to treat insect bites, is common table salt.

In order to use salt effectively to treat an insect bite, you should do the following:

Take two teaspoons of common table salt – the scientific name of which is sodium chloride. This is best in thin granule / powdered format.
Sprinkle some water into this to make a paste.
Take the salt solution / paste, and apply it to the area of the insect bite.
If you live near the beach, you could even consider dipping your bite into the sea to give it a good dose of salt!

Salt – or sodium chloride – is a natural disinfectant, and a great antifungal agent. Salt also has a detoxifying effect, and can help to neutralise the toxicity of insect bites.

You should try and do this soon after the bite actually takes place, after washing the bite. It will help to reduce redness and swelling, as well as itching.

Again, if the wound or symptoms are severe, then you should contact a medical professional.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree is one of the greatest natural antiseptics, and is used for many skin conditions. Tea tree oil is readily available to buy in most chemists and online.

In order to use tea tree oil effectively on the affected area, you should do the following:

Two teaspoons of undiluted tea tree oil should be your starting point.
Now all you need is a few balls of surgical cotton wool.
Dip this cotton wool ball into the tea tree oil, then apply this to the affected areas.
Let this sit for a couple of hours before washing it off.
You should repeat this process every day for two or three days.

Tea tree – also referred to melaleuca alternifolia – has been known as one of the best natural anti – fungal treatments for many years. It’s also great at keeping inflammation under control.

It might sting a little at first, but in the longer term it will be soothing and control the severe itching that many insect bites cause.

Of course, as always if symptoms are severe, you should always look to seek medical attention.

Organic Honey

Last of all, but by absolutely no means least, organic honey can provide a great remedy for insect bites, and is easy and inexpensive to purchase, as well as being entirely natural.

To effectively use honey in order to treat an insect bite, you should do the following:

Ensure it is pure, organic honey you are using. Then take two teaspoons of this.
Wash the insect bite area before doing anything else.
Then once it’s washed, apply the honey to the bite.
Let the honey sit on the bite for a couple of hours.
Once it’s sat for an hour or two, wash off with warm water.
This process should be repeated every day for two or three days.

Honey has been used in folk medicine for many years, and is still used in Africa to treat burn injuries today. It has even been rumoured to help remove scarring!

Honey has a surprising number of antibiotic qualities, which again, make it a great treatment for insect bites. It also has anti – inflammatory properties which can help to speed up the overall recovery time of the wound itself. There’s nothing not to like!

Again, if you do have any serious symptoms, you should always consult a doctor.

However, we do hope that today, we’ve helped you to discover some of the best – and most easily accessible – home remedies for insect bites.

Thanks for reading