Insect Bites
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Insect Bite Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Tiger Balm
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 06/29/2008
 ★★★★★

Well, I don't know why, but this summer the Vitamin B-6 and B-12 are not working to prevent mosquito bites! I have been taking the supplements for the past week and have gotten a bunch of mosquito bites when I walk outside. Last summer I didn't get any bites when I took the supplements. I had my husband test the supplements and he too got eaten alive one night. Tiger Balm is still the best remedy in my opinion to remove the itch from bites.

One great side effect from the supplements however, is that they appear to be a great natural deodorant! No baking soda necessary on the armpits when taking these 2 vits. Hopefully others will try them and let me know if they agree on the b/o.

New Zealand Remedies
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 05/16/2022
 ★★★★★

Good day there, how are you?

I am only letting you know about this NZ Secret because it works for me and our family - I have no financial interest in the Company.

Maybe EC will not print it but there you go! Deirdre was experiencing insect-biting problems recently, so it behoves us to do something to assist her!

This is the crowd I mentioned in a previous post but I know that you probably only read the recent ones??!!

Here is an abbreviated version of an email got from them:-

"We sell Goodbye Sandfly to people in the USA for use with the little black no-seeums as well as mosquitos. If you order more than $75USD shipping is free. If it's under $75USD it's about $20usd for shipping. Check out our website".

Cheers from Down Under

Aspirin
Posted by Maho (Canada) on 06/22/2022

For tick bites-look into Ghanian quinine. I heard it cures 100%.

Ice Pack
Posted by Sharon B (Chicago Il ) on 07/21/2015
 ★★★★★

Wet a paper towel or wash cloth and stick it in the freezer for 15mins! Apply to affected itchy area! Relieves inflamation and itch! Paper Towel dampen and freezer for 10-15mins. Washcloth at least 30mins to freeze.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Scorpio1 (Hollywood, Ca) on 03/18/2015
 ★★★★★

California doesn't have many mosquitos, but when they find you, and you haven't had 1 for years, it's murder! I recently became the meal of mosquitos at a friends house in the hills and suffered a day before I found this and tried it. I just dabbed some tea tree oil on a q tip and applied. Ahhh relief

Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Posted by Anon (US) on 09/04/2014
 ★★★★★

I felt something sting my arm, I could feel the legs grab my arm when it did. It felt like when you touch an electric fence. I didn't see the wasp. There was a shallow bite about an eighth inch across. It itched a lot and began to swell till there was a red area around it the size of a silver dollar after a few days. I decided it wasn't going away on it's own so I rubbed tea tree oil into it and immediately after pure eucalyptus essential oil. It was gone in two or three days.

Vicks VapoRub
Posted by Cody O (Marysville, Washington) on 08/03/2014
 ★★★★★

On a whim, I rubbed a thick layer of Vicks VapoRub into some itchy flea bites, and viola, they stopped itching! It's worked for me a bunch of times. Today I tried it on some HUGE, SUPER ITCHY mosquito bites, and whaddya know, no more itch!

Sulfur for Chigger Bites
Posted by Gardengirl (Gallatin, Tn) on 08/31/2013
 ★★★★★

Sulfur works on chiggers... Can buy it at some drugstores or maybe at at farmer's co-op. Take about 1 teaspoon of sulfur, add a little water to make a paste then apply it to the bite or bites. It will work the first time. Works for my grand-daughter (15) too!!!

Apply Heat
Posted by Sealion (Alexandria, Va, USA) on 05/10/2013
 ★★★★★

Worked for me too. Just be careful not to accidentally scald yourself:) Aspirin rubbed in wet worked also but only for about 4 hours and left the bed sheet a little gritty.

Fels- Naptha
Posted by Renee (Bergen Co., Nj) on 08/30/2012
 ★★★★★

Rub a wet bar of fels-naptha soap (found in laundry detergent aisle for about $1.50) onto bug bite/mosquito bite. Rinse with cold water. Itching disappeared for me in about 1 min. Redness and swelling visibly reduced or disappeared. May need to repeat this if symptoms reoccur. You can also leave a bit of soap to dry on the bite. My usual week-long mosquito bites disappear in no time with 1-3 applications and no itching.

Saliva, Salt Water
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 08/26/2012 2048 posts

Lisa, it has been quite a journey and educational at that; and I try to convey anything positive for everyone here although my abilities are compromised. Add the psychological or spiritual elements to the mix and things can get difficult; so the art of simplicity is the rule. Case in point, in response to the personal and give/receive nature of this E.C. site/ message board, over the past few months I have rollercoaster from very poor to somewhat good health conditions and have remained faithful here as I am still in a somewhat desperate mode clinging to what little life force I have; anyway, amazing enough and on many occasions I receive post exactly pertinent to my condition at the moment. There are the laws of average and likelihood but these occasions have been so consistent and sometimes I will have only been thinking about some aspect of some illness throughout the day and as soon as I begin reading on here the answer is posted. My belief is that as people show true concern for one another without the devil of money involved, telepathic or "miraculous" events can occur. One year ago I had been occasionally reading E.C. and after a few months decided to start posting and, to be candid, I don't think I would still be alive if not for all the great info and good hearts here.

As for NDE's my interest has certainly escalated over the past few yrs, and I have been greatly encouraged and blessed from these fortunate folks. I haven't heard of Elizabeth Kubler- Ross (that I know of). The Anita Moorjani testimony is amazing document of the healing power of "eternity" as she died of Lymphoma Cancer and totally recovered within days of her return.

All the good thoughts, deeds and even intents of people will be consummated in the next life; and we will truly love each other in such a pure way that all the pain of this body and world will be as nothing. I never really considered myself one in need of the humility that can come from suffering, but it is an unmistakable fact that suffering can be tremendously advantageous. As the destructive forces of this world weld their way over us, the big truth is that love is really all that's left of creation and that's what will live in eternity. So, as all of us here suffering from our ailments have a dual mindset of rejection (i want to get my health back) and acceptance ("Thy will be done"). The "infinity factor" should always be the focus, removing as much bad energy from our minds and lives as possible, and be ready when that great day comes.

Many thanks and blessing to you and everyone here.

"Love is the only answer - hate is the root of cancer - then" --YES

Saliva, Salt Water
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 08/26/2012

Hi Timh, What a beautiful post! Yes, pain and suffering are certainly humbling and unlike you, perhaps I needed to face helplessness in terms of that. I was always one to rise against the odds and have always been a fighter. Thus, I never understood those who seemed to just succumb to circumstances or complain but do nothing. I still am somewhat unable to understand that but certainly have dealt with enough physical pain to now have compassion. My husband said it has helped me to grow tremendously.

As for synchronicity, I have been fortunate enough to have always trusted in a Higher Power, God, The Universe or whatever one is comfortable calling this mysterious force. As a result, it has been a never- ending fount of answers always given in the right time, in the right way. There have been times when I have questioned this All-Knowing force but, learned early that whatever the answer given, was the right one. Sometimes, it took considerable time before that would be revealed in hindsight. It isn't always easy to see this when you are in the midst of it! Are you familiar with Abraham-Hicks? If not, check out the website because I have learned so much from this wise force. It is based in Universal Laws and they cannot be overridden. These laws work over and over again without fail.

Yes, all good thoughts, deeds and intents are rewarded. The laws of Karma are unerring, for sure. And love is the greatest force of the universe. Yes, Earth Clinic is wonderful to be able to give freely to others and reap the benefits of others' knowledge and wisdom garnered from their experience. When humanity understands we must reach back and help each other up the ladder or none of us will make it, we will finally truly understand unconditional love. Not always easy to do in the human condition...

Also, I would love you to check out the books by Dr. Brian L. Weiss. They are truly remarkable and have been a comfort to me since they were written back in the 80's. Over the years, I have recommended this book to many people especially in times of their suffering. The first book is called "Many Lives, Many Masters" which I would recommend starting with as you then have the background of this man's remarkable story. "Only Love Is Real" is another beautiful one and resonates with what you said at the end of your post. And finally, "Messages From The Masters" is a summation of his books and the wisdom of "the Masters" who with all the love and compassion give us messages that are so beautiful and reassuring they would move me to tears.

Anyway, Timh, thank you again for your beautiful post and know that you are in my thoughts sending you healing love and grateful to know you through these pages. With love and respect, Lisa

Saliva, Salt Water
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 05/24/2015

Someone mentioned chiggers. Try a bath in baking soda (maybe some epsom salts too?). An old home remedy of my mom's.

Essential Oils
Posted by Erica (Saint James City, Florida) on 08/11/2012

To repel No-See-Ums I use a DEET free plant based insect repellent containing Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. I recently moved to SW Florida and am extremely sensitive to the bites... Itching, swelling and fatigue. I even have scars from scratching in my sleep! I haven't found anything to alleviate the itching, so for me prevention is the best medicine.

Onion
Posted by Donna (Virginia Beach, Virginia, Usa) on 05/04/2012
 ★★★★★

A friend once told me to put raw onion on insect bites, and it really did help me! Just take a piece of raw onion, use your fingernail to press into it to release some of the juice and rub it on the bite. I found that it works best if you try to apply it as soon as you get bit. It helps with the itch and the duration of the itch is greatly reduced.

Tobacco Poultice
Posted by Aka Sherri (College Station, Texas, United States) on 04/30/2012
 ★★★★★

As a landscape designer and avid gardener, I've been stung many times by scorpions, bees, wasps, you name it. I've tried baking soda, ammonia and benydril, but it still took several days to get better. Once, I stepped on a scorpion and had to sit with my foot elevated for 3 whole days before I could walk again.

I found a remedy that works nearly instantly!

Someone told me about this remedy years ago. It's supposed to be an old Native American remedy. As the subject says, it's disgusting! However, when I've been stung I can easily deal with gross if it means the pain will go away right now instead of 3 days later!

If you smoke, shame on you! But when it comes to stinging insects, you are in luck! Bite off about half the length of a cigarette and chew it. Your mouth will immediately dry up, but then it will begin to salivate profusely. As soon as the tobacco is wet and chewed up, spit the wad out on the sting/bite site and leave it there. I promise, you won't be much concerned about the taste of the tobacco given the serious pain you're in! :)

The sooner you can get the chewed tobacco onto the sting site, the less time it will take for the pain to go away and all of the poison to be drawn out of the body. Even though the pain will dissipate quickly, the tobacco needs to stay on longer to remove all the poison.

For example: If you get tobacco onto the wound with in 30 seconds, the pain will be gone almost instantly and it will probably only take about 5 or 10 minutes to get all the poison out. If it takes 5 minutes to get the tobacco, it might be a few minutes before the pain is gone and might take an hour to get all the poison out. This is why I always keep a bag of additive free natural tobacco in my bag of gardening tools, so I can stop the pain ASAP!!

You will know when all the poison is gone if you can remove the tobacco and the pain stays gone. If you still feel pain or it starts to return, put it back on.

The tobacco needs to stay wet. If it dries up and you start to feel pain, spit on the tobacco, or better yet, chew up some fresh tobacco.

****I tried just wetting the tobacco with water instead of chewing on it. It didn't work for me. There seems to be something about the saliva/tobacco/nicotine mix that helps****

If you have fresh sage, mix that in with the tobacco. It seems to step up the relief. I've never tried using sage alone. Frankly, I'm not willing to experiment and find out if sage on its own will work when I am in so much pain. I'll only do that when/if I find myself with out any tobacco!

I have used the remedy countless times and it has NEVER FAILED ME!

I hope it works for others as well. I will surely feel terrible if it doesn't work for someone who braved the disgusting taste cigarette tobacco but didn't find relief!

Peppermint Oil
Posted by Chela (Dallas, Texas) on 09/21/2011
 ★★★★★

I had 6 terrible bug bites on my legs that were inflamed and raised for 5 days with no itch relief. Almost immediately after applying a drop of peppermint oil to each one the itch disappeared. Yay for relief!

Mosquito Bites
Posted by Lizzie (London, Uk) on 08/14/2011
 ★★★★★

I always get bitten and itch so badly afterwards. Yesterday a friend told me she had tried every method under the sun to try and relieve the itching until she came across someone who told her to use a flannel placed in very hot water. Last night I was itching like crazy! Decided to give it a go. Water was so hot, almost unbearable, placed it on the bites for a couple of mins. It stings really bad and then... Nothing! What a relief. She told me that it lasts for about a day. I only tried it last night so don't know. But at last, a cure for that terrible itching!!

Aspirin
Posted by J (Wilmington, De) on 08/07/2011
 ★★★★★

Aspirin for Chigger Bites

It is a myth that chiggers burrow under your skin, they bite and irritate like any other bitting insect, asprin on bite works wonders.


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