Six Home Remedies for Insect Bites

Insect bites. They are red and itchy, and they can be annoying as heck. Unless you are allergic, insect bites won't be serious for you in terms of health. But you're probably tired of that tender, itchy welt on your arm, leg, or face. Whether you've been bitten by mosquitoes, ants, or spiders, here are some home remedies for insect bites.

Try Not To Scratch

You might feel tempted to scratch insect bites, and for good reason. They itch! But resist the temptation to scratch. Scratching will only make the itching worse. Scratching can also lead to infection, turning harmless insect bites into a serious medical condition.

Wash With Soap and Water

Some bugs carry diseases, so you should thoroughly wash areas where you have insect bites with soap and water. Washing can also keep insect bites from getting worse, so they won't swell or itch as much as they would without washing. After washing, apply an antiseptic cream or ointment to the area.

Treat Insect with Calamine Lotion

Dabbing a little calamine lotion on insect bites will take care of itching and swelling. But you probably won't need to use calamine lotion unless itching is severe.

Try the Aspirin Remedy

To treat the inflammation caused by insect bites, wet the area with water, and then rub aspirin over the area.

Use Salt to Stop the Itching

Mix table salt and a few drops of water into a paste. Apply the paste to insect bites to control itching.

Ice It Up

Placing ice on insect bites can help alleviate both itching and swelling. Hold an ice pack, or some ice wrapped in a washcloth, on insect bites for about ten to twenty minutes.

If there's no ice available, cold water might help. Just hold insect bites under a cool running tap for a few minutes.

As a last resort, you can hold a cold bottle of water against insect bites.

When to See a Doctor

Most insect bites aren't serious, and will heal on their own. But there are times when insect bites require a doctor's attention.

You should see a doctor if insect bites get infected. Signs of infection could be excessive redness or streaking of the skin surrounding insect bites, or a yellowish puss. Developing a fever is also a sign of possible infection.

You might be allergic to certain types of insect bites without even knowing it. If you feel faint, have trouble breathing, or break out in hives within twenty four hours of being bitten, you should also see a doctor.