What do you do if you’ve been bitten by a bug and can’t find a cream that your sensitive skin can tolerate? Can you treat it naturally?
It turns out that there are several things you can do for an insect bite at home, without resorting to creams that are full of the kind of ingredients your skin hates even more than mosquitos!
- Rinse well with cold water and a soap-free wash
- Use a cold compress: ice cubes/ice packs or an unopened bag of frozen peas.
- Take an antihistamine tablet
- Use a natural antimicrobial essential oil, such as tea tree or lavender, to reduce the risk of a scratched bite getting infected
- If it’s painful, take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibruprofen
- Calamine lotion or a paste of baking soda can both be helpful in relieving the itch
Balmonds Tea Tree Balm is a great salve for minor insect bites. This little balm in a handy, eco-friendly aluminium tin is 100% natural and rich in antimicrobial tea tree essential oil; the beeswax forms a protective barrier over itchy skin while the tea tree gets to work.
Please consult a doctor if:
- you’ve been bitten by a tick
- you develop signs of an allergic reaction to a bite or sting (hives, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, panic or dizziness)
- the bite is infected and you develop a temperature
