Insect bite (Swelling)

Applying cold things onto the affected area can reduce itchiness and numb the skin. This way, you will get immediate, but short-term relief. 

It's better to apply a cold pack or a bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a washcloth. However, don’t leave it directly on the skin too long since it can damage the skin. 

Cold water can reduce inflammation and numb the skin if you hold the affected area under running cold tap water. 

Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid that offer anti-inflammatory benefits which can draw out toxins and soothe skin irritation. 

You need to simply put either cucumber skins or slices on top of the bites to reduce the itching and irritation. 

Applying coconut oil over the bites can stop the itching and swelling caused by bug bites or stings in just a few minutes.

All you need to do is rub some warm coconut oil on the affected skin. Repeat this procedure 2 or more times daily.

Coconut oil can be found in most stores as well as online.

"How to stop mosquito bites from itching, or any other bites from other insects?" The answer is simple – for immediate relief, try an antihistamine cream or stick to help you reduce the itching and swelling. 

Antihistamine creams can be found in most large stores, as well as online.

One way of how to treat insect bites is by applying cold tea bags on the bite. The cold will relieve itching while some tea compounds will reduce the inflammation.

What to do:

1. Put a teabag in a cup with hot water and let it steep for a few minutes;
2. Take the tea bag out and put it in the fridge for a few minutes;
3. Place the bag directly onto the bite for 3-5 minutes.

Honey possesses antibacterial properties. Therefore, it can prevent infection of a bite as well as reduce discomfort caused by itching. 

What to do:

1. Take a Q-tip or a cotton ball and dip it into honey;
2. Apply a thin layer onto the bite, covering it completely;
3. Don't wash away the honey, until you feel better.

Oatmeal is able to alleviate discomfort caused by itching and swelling due to some special compounds with anti-irritant qualities.

What to do:

1. Mix equal amounts of oatmeal and water to create a paste-like substance.
2. Put some paste onto a clean cloth and hold it with the paste pressed firmly to irritated skin.
3. Stay in such position for about ten minutes.
4. Clean the area with warm water.

Aloe Vera gel has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and can help to heal minor wounds, bug bites and prevent infection. 

If you have a plant around, break 1 big green leaf and apply the plant’s gel to the area that is irritated.

If you'd rather use a prepared gel, buy one in any pharmacy or online.

Lemon has great anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties that help to treat insect bites and stings effectively.

What to do:

1. Cut a lemon into halves.
2. Rub the inside of one of them as well as the yellow rind against the affected skin for quick relief.

 Alternatively, apply some lemon juice to the bites to help reduce the chance of developing an infection. You can add some chopped fresh basil leaves to bolster the healing effect.

Salt is a simple yet effective remedy for insect bites due to some of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

What to do:

1. Take a small amount of usual salt and mix it with water so as to create a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the bites and leave it there for a few minutes.
3. Wash with warm water.

Salt is a simple yet effective remedy for insect bites due to some of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

What to do: 

1. Take garlic salt, seasoning salt and water (1:1:1), mix them so as to create a paste. 
2. Apply this paste onto the bites.You might feel a short burning sensation lasting a few seconds, but almost a complete relief will follow afterwards.
3. Leave it there for a few minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water. 

Rubbing alcohol and vodka are common household antiseptics which you can use to relieve irritation caused by insect bites and prevent an infection.

What to do: 

1. Put a small amount of alcohol on a clean cotton ball or a cloth.
2. Rub it on the affected skin and area around the bites. It might sting a little at first, but you will soon feel relief. 

You can use mouthwash with a high amount of alcohol to relieve irritation caused by insect bites and reduce a chance of getting an infection.

Simply put a small amount of mouthwash on a cotton ball or a clean cloth and rub it on the affected skin and area around the bites. 

Tea tree oil possesses excellent antiseptic properties that can be effective in treating bacteria-infected wounds such as insect bites. It is also able to reduce swelling and itchiness.

All you need to do is apply some tea tree oil with a cotton ball to the affected skin. 

However, refrain from using tea tree oil if you have sensitive skin since it can cause skin irritation. Try other essential oils like lavender or cedar oil.

Tea tree oil can be found in many stores as well as online.

Lime has great anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties that help to treat insect bites effectively. Simply cut a lime into halves and rub the inside of one of them against the affected skin for quick relief. 

 Alternatively, apply some lime juice to the bites to help reduce the chance of developing an infection. 

Milk is very soothing and helpful in relieving itching, swelling and inflammation caused by insect bites. It's preferable to use skim milk because it's the protein and not the fat in milk that provides a relief.

What to do:

1. Soak equal parts of milk and water into a handkerchief.
2. Apply the handkerchief over the bites.
3. Keep it in place for a few minutes.

Baking soda is alkaline in nature, which is why it is able to neutralize the pH of the skin and provide relief from itchiness and swelling. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which makes it effective in drawing out excess fluid to reduce swelling of bites even more. 

What to do:

1. Make a paste out of witch hazel and baking soda.
2. Apply it and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.

Bleach quickly neutralizes the toxins from the bite when applied directly to it.

What to do:

1. Dip a cotton ball or a small cloth into the bleach.
2. Dab the insect bite and the entire are around it with the bleach.
3. Hold it there for about five seconds.
4. Let the area dry off. 

Tamanu oil is extremely efficient in relieving pain and itching from bites very fast, reducing the chance of an infection, and healing the skin quickly. Therefore, you should have it ready when going hiking or camping.

Simply put some Tamanu oil onto a cotton ball and dab the bite with the oil. The itching will stop in a few minutes. Applied a few times a day for a couple of days, Tamanu oil can heal the bite or sting completely.

Tamanu oil can be found online and in natural food stores.

Manuka oil is an increasingly popular first aid remedy as it stops the pain caused by bites and stings, and helps fight infections. Keep Manuka in your medicine chest, right beside the Tamanu oil. 

Simply put some Manuka oil onto the cotton ball and dab the bite with the oil.

It is available online and at natural food stores. 

Since most hand sanitizers have alcohol among its ingredients, they act as antiseptics which relieve irritation caused by insect bites and prevent an infection.

All you need to do is dip a cotton ball in hand sanitizer and rub it on the affected skin.

Household ammonia is a popular and effective remedy for bug bites. It is often used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter insect bite remedies. 

Applying a little ammonia over the bites with a cotton ball for a couple of times will help you get rid of the discomfort.

Ammonia can be bought in most stores as well as online.

Hydrogen Peroxide is antiseptic and can prevent infections caused by bug bites as well as reduce swelling, itching, and redness.

What to do:

1. Generously damp a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide.
2. Apply it directly over the bites.
3. You can repeat it as many times as you wish as it is unlikely to cause any damage even with the sensitive skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide can be found in most stores as well as online.

Vanilla is known to be a natural insect repellant. It can also help you if you are already bitten. 

Put a little dab of vanilla over the bites and let it sit there until it dries up completely. You can repeat this as many times as you wish until you feel better.

Warm water reduces the inflammation and irritation as well as helps release histamine. 

What to do:

1. Take half a liter of warm filtered water (dirty water can lead to infection) and soak a cloth or a towel in it.
2. Apply the compress gently onto the bitten area. 
3. Leave it there for 10-15 minutes.

Turmeric has been long used in treating various wounds because of its antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. It also works great with insect bites.

What to do:

1. Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix it with water so as to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste onto the bitten area.
3. Let it dry off before rinsing the area with water.

Turmeric powder can be found in many large stores as well as online.

Lavender oil is very effective in soothing bug bites. It is also able to stop bleeding while being an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. You should be sure to dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil.

What you need to do is apply some tea tree oil with a cotton ball to the affected skin. 

Lavender oil can be found in many stores as well as online. 

Both chamomile and ice can be used as remedies for bug bites. Applied together, they are even more effective. Chamomile possesses great antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cleansing properties while ice helps reduce swelling.

What to do:

1. Take chamomile ice cubes and wrap them in a cloth.
2. Apply the cloth directly to the bites.
3. Hold for some time, repeat.

Parsley has long been used as a remedy for insect bites all over the world. All you need to do is apply crushed fresh parsley leaves directly onto the bite.

Bracken fern is a commonly used herb for insect bites. It will quickly relieve the pain caused by bites.

What to do:

1. Find and pull out a green Bracken Fern.
2. Snap the root of the fern until you can see sticky white milky gel come out.
3. Rub it on the bite. It should stop the pain almost instantly.

An insect bites treatment includes echinacea. Echinacea is an exceptionally strong antibiotic and immune booster. Using it while treating bites and stings will allow you to reduce the chance of infection and prevent some immune reactions.

All you need to do is buy an Echinacea tincture and apply a few drops onto the bitten area.

Echinacea tincture can be found in many stores, as well as online.

One of the home remedies for insect bites includes chamomile. It is often used in treating insect bites and stings because of its immune boosting and anti-inflammatory nature, as well as its ability to reduce swelling and redness.

What to do:

1. Take a teaspoon of dried chamomile.
2. Steep it in a cup of steaming hot water for minimum 10 minutes.
3. Strain it and soak a clean piece of cloth in the clear liquid.
4. Apply it on the affected area. You should feel the relief almost instantly.

Arnica is a plant that effectively treats intense swelling and soreness caused by stings or bites and is considered a good insect bite swelling treatment.

Remember to use arnica only in its homeopathic form as the herbal form is toxic. Arnica is used in creams, gels, liquids, ointments, sprays and homeopathic pellets.

You can find arnica in most pharmacies, as well as online.

Witch hazel is a strong astringent and can be compared in effectiveness to hydrocortisone creams in treating itching and minor skin inflammations.

What to do:

1. Add an ounce (about 30 gr) of witch hazel bark to a pint (about 475 ml) of boiling hot water.
2. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Strain it and let it cool down.
4. Soak a clean washcloth in the mixture and apply on the affected skin for up to 30 minutes. 

You can alternatively use a ready-to-use witch hazel toner or ointment.

Deodorants contain aluminum chloride which can stop the pain and swelling. It's preferable to use a roll-on deodorant as it suppresses the itch more effectively because of the pressure exerted. However, a spray deodorant could help, too.

In order to relieve minor symptoms and pain caused by insect bites, take Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). You may want to not choose Aspirin or Ibuprofen since these painkillers may cause the venom spread through the body quicker in some cases.

However, bear in mind that children or teenagers who have recently had chickenpox or exhibit  flu-like symptoms should not take Aspirin.

Activated charcoal is known as an excellent multi-purpose detox agent, but it is also used by many for insect bites and stings. 

What to do:

1. Mix some activated charcoal with water so as to make a paste.
2. Apply it to the sting site.
3. Leave it there till it's dry.
4. Rinse with water.

Activated charcoal can be found in any pharmacy as well as online.

When itching occurs, stress and discomfort are inevitable. Try drinking a tea that contains chamomile, red clover, mint, calendula tea, or linden to stay hydrated and relaxed. Such teas can be brewed and drunk as often as you want. 

1. What to do:
2. All you need to do is pour a quart (950 ml) of water over 4 teaspoons of any or even a combination of the mentioned above herbs. 
3. If you have fresh herbs at hand, use a total of four tablespoons of those. Leave the tea to steep under some cover for
4. Leave the tea to steep under some cover for the minimum of 20 minutes. Strain the tea and drink the clear part as often as you like.