Preventing Nonvenomous Insect Bites

Are you plagued with insect bites? Do mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and no-see-ums love to bite you? There are some preventative measures that can be taken to help alleviate the problem. Here are a few simple tips.

Problems/Reactions with insect bites:

Most non-venomous bites result in mild irritation or the bites may blister and take longer to heal. The problem arises when the small red "bump" is scratched and thus becomes infected. Of course, ticks should be removed with tweezers, making sure the head is removed. Chiggers can be removed by taking baths with a bleaching agent, like Clorox, added to the water, or simply dabbing Clorox on the affected area. The longer the insect is attached, the more problematic the irritation.

Protection from insect bites:

1-Common sense should prevail here.
2-Use insect repellents with D.E.E.T.
3-When going into an area where there is a high likelihood of insects, covering all parts of the body with clothing, hats, socks and gloves helps prevent insect bites. Ticks love dark colors more than white or light pastel colored clothing.
4-De-flea cats, dogs and other household pets on a regular basis. Products such as Top Spot seem expensive, but in preventing insect bites it is worth the expense.
5-Maintain good personal and household hygiene.
6-Remove any standing water in outside containers.

Natural protection from insect bites:

1-Alcohol causes the human skin to flush and dilates blood vessels, attracting insect bites. Avoid alcohol.
2-Avoid sweet perfumes and hair sprays.
3-A garlic supplement taken several days before and during trips through wooded areas helps repel ticks.
4-Vitamin B1 taken daily will repel all bites.
5-High doses of Vitamin C taken with calcium will diminish the toxic and allergic effects of all kinds of bites, even against venomous spiders and snakes. The calcium reduces the pain.

Recommended dosages:

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoid, 4,000-10,000 mg immediately following a bite and 1,000 mg every few hours.
Vitamin B1, 50 mg. twice daily.
Garlic, 2 capsules three times daily.
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. daily.
Calcium 1,200 mg.

Conclusion:

Herbal remedy use promotes healing, decreases inflammation and helps the body cleanse toxins from the blood stream. Making the great outdoors friendlier is neither that difficult nor expensive. With a small amount of "due diligence" the great outdoors can be enjoyed by everyone, even those with high sensitivity to insect bites. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

Sources:
www.dermnetnz.org
www.alive.com