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How to Naturally Prevent and Treat Insect Bites
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How to Prevent and Treat Insect Bites
Without Harsh Chemicals
July 22, 2013 | 40,938 views
By Dr. Mercola
Summertime calls most of us to spend time outdoors. Alas, bugs can be a real
buzz-kill at best, and carriers of disease at worst. Additionally, most commercial
insect repellants contain a chemical known as DEET, which should be used
with caution, if at all. Many studies have found DEET to have harmful effects.
Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks to keeping biting bugs at bay, and they
don't involve applying toxic chemicals to your skin. There are also many natural
remedies that can help take the sting out of your bites, should preventive
methods fail.
The Most Common Offenders...
The featured article in Medical News Today offers an excellent and extensive
overview of a wide variety of bug bites, their signs and symptoms and potential
side effects, which can range from mild to severe (allergic reactions):
1
“When insects bite they release a form of saliva that can cause
inflammation, blisters and irritation. Insect bite signs and symptoms vary,
depending on the type of insect and the individual's sensitivity.
While one person may just have a small, itchy lump that clears away in a
few days, somebody else can have a more serious reaction, such as
papular urticaria — crops of small papules and wheals, which may
become infected or lichenified (thickened and leathery) because of
rubbing and excoriation.”
WebMD also has a helpful "Bad Bugs Slideshow" to help you identify some 28
different types of bugs and their bites.2 Some of the most common biting insects
include:
Mosquitoes
Certain flies
Fleas
Bedbugs
Gnats
Midges
Spiders
Ticks
Story at-a-glance
Preventive measures to avoid getting bit by
insects such as mosquitoes include: avoiding the
outdoors at dawn and dusk—especially when
sweaty—draining stagnant water sources,
planting marigolds around your yard, installing
bat boxes
The following can be used to repel bugs: Vick's
Vaporub®; cinnamon leaf oil; clear liquid vanilla
extract mixed with olive oil; citronella soap and
100% pure citronella essential oil; catnip oil
Most commercial insect repellants contain a
chemical known as DEET, which should be used
with caution, if at all. Many studies have found
DEET to have harmful effects
Herbs and other natural agents can help soothe
itchy bites, such as: aloe vera, calendula,
cinnamon, chamomile, lavender, Neem oil, tea
tree oil, basil, peppermint, lemon and lime, and
baking soda mixed with witch hazel
Using either ice or heat are other options that
can help ease the discomfort associated with
bug bites. Research has shown that locally
administrated heat leads to fast amelioration of
symptoms such as swelling, pruritus, and pain
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Fortunately, it’s fairly rare to catch diseases from most insect bites if you live in countries far away from the equator, such as
northern parts of Europe, United States, and Canada. The closer you are to the equator, the risk of being bit by mosquitoes
and other insects carrying diseases such as malaria, sleeping sickness, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus and
dengue fever increases.
Ticks, however, can spread human babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease—one of the most serious
and controversial epidemics of our time—regardless of your geographical location. To avoid ticks, make sure to tuck your
pants into socks and wear closed shoes and a hat—especially if venturing out into wooded areas.
Simple Preventative Measures to Avoid Mosquito Bites
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/22/insect-bite-treatment.aspx?e_c... 7/22/2013
How to Naturally Prevent and Treat Insect Bites
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Mosquitoes are probably the most pervasive when it comes to biting bugs that can ruin an otherwise pleasant outing. There
are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world, about 200 of which occur in the US. Naturally, the best
way to avoid mosquito bites is to prevent coming into contact with them in the first place.
You can avoid most assaults by staying inside around dawn and dusk, which is when they are most active. If you must be out
during those times, wear light-colored, long sleeved shirts and long pants, hats and socks. Mosquitoes are also thicker in
shrubby areas and near standing water.
Body temperature and skin chemicals like lactic acid also attract mosquitoes, which explains why you’re more likely to be
“eaten alive” when you’re sweaty, such as during or after exercise, so trying to stay as cool and dry as you can may help to
some degree. You may also want to forgo bananas during mosquito season. According to Dr. Janet Starr Hull, “there’s
something about how your body processes the banana oil that attracts these female sugar-loving insects.”
She also recommends supplementing with one vitamin B1 tablet a day from April through October, and then adding 100 mg
of B1 to a B100 Complex daily during the mosquito season to make you less attractive to mosquitoes. Research also
suggests that regularly consuming garlic or garlic capsules may help protect against both mosquito and tick bites. The
American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has a helpful factsheet3 of things you can do to prevent mosquito breeding
on your property. The Three D’s of protection from mosquitoes are:
• Drain—Mosquitoes require water in which to breed, so carefully drain any and all sources of standing water around
your house and yard, including pet bowls, gutters, garbage and recycling bins, spare tires, bird baths and so on
• Dress—Light colored, loose fitting clothing offer the greatest protection
• Defend—While the AMCA recommends using commercial repellents, I highly recommend avoiding most chemical
repellents, especially those containing DEET. Instead, try some of the natural alternatives suggested in this article
Bat houses are becoming increasingly popular since bats are voracious consumers of insects, especially mosquitoes. For
more on buying a bat house or constructing one yourself, visit the Organization for Bat Conservation.4 Planting marigolds
around your yard also works as a bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance that bugs do not like. This is a great
way to ward off mosquitoes without using chemical insecticides. A simple house fan could also help keep mosquitoes at bay
if you’re having a get-together in your backyard.
Steer Clear of Chemical Repellents, Especially DEET
Currently, DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is used in more than 230 different products -- in concentrations of up to an
astounding 100 percent. If a chemical melts plastic or fishing line, it's not wise to apply it to your skin -- and that is exactly
what DEET does.
Duke University Medical Center pharmacologist Mohamed Abou-Donia spent 30 years researching the effects of pesticides.
He discovered that prolonged exposure to DEET can impair cell function in parts of your brain -- demonstrated in the lab by
death and behavioral changes in rats with frequent or prolonged DEET use. Children are particularly at risk for subtle brain
changes because their skin more readily absorbs chemicals in the environment and chemicals more potently affect their
developing nervous systems. Other potential side effects DEET exposure include:
Memory loss
Headache
Muscle weakness and
fatigue
Shortness of breath
Muscle and joint pain
Tremors
Another potentially harmful chemical found in many bug sprays5 is permethrin. This chemical is a member of the synthetic
pyrethroid family, all of which are neurotoxins. The EPA has even deemed this chemical carcinogenic, capable of causing
lung tumors, liver tumors, immune system problems, and chromosomal abnormalities. Permethrin is also damaging to the
environment, and it is particularly toxic to bees and aquatic life. It should also be noted that permethrin is highly toxic to cats.6
Even a few drops can be lethal to your feline pet. It is used as an ingredient in some topical flea products, so when you see
"for dogs only" on the label, it likely contains permethrin. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released an
extensive review of the safety (or lack thereof) of virtually all bug repellant ingredients7.
Keeping Insects at Bay the Natural Way
Fortunately, there are highly effective repellents on the market comprised of natural botanical oils and extracts that are every
bit as effective as DEET, but with none of the potentially harmful effects. You can also make your own repellent using:
• Cinnamon leaf oil (one study found it was more effective at killing mosquitoes than DEET)
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/22/insect-bite-treatment.aspx?e_c... 7/22/2013
How to Naturally Prevent and Treat Insect Bites
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• Clear liquid vanilla extract mixed with olive oil
• Wash with citronella soap, and then put some 100% pure citronella essential oil on your skin. Java Citronella is
considered the highest quality citronella on the market
• Catnip oil (according to one study, this oil is 10 times more effective than DEET)8
Another option is to use the safe solution I have formulated to repel mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, ticks, and other biting
insects. It's a natural insect spray with a combination of citronella, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, and vanillin, which is a
dynamite blend of natural plant extracts. In fact, an independent study showed my bug spray to be more effective than a
product containing 100 percent DEET. And it's safe for you, your children, and your pets.
Treating Bites and Stings with Herbs and Other Natural Agents
Once you’ve been bitten, the objective changes from repelling to treating the itch and inflammation caused by the bite.
Fortunately, many herbs and other natural agents are soothing to the skin, and many have anti-inflammatory properties. So
for your occasional mosquito bites, try one of the following:
Aloe vera: It contains
over 130 active
compounds and 34
amino acids that are
beneficial to your skin.
Calendula: An herb
with soothing,
moisturizing and
rejuvenating
properties.
Chamomile: The most
soothing herb of all,
whether used in a tea or
applied to the skin. It is
rich in the bioflavonoids
apigenin, luteolin and
quercetin.
Cinnamon: In addition
to possibly repelling
mosquitoes, cinnamon
has antibacterial and
antifungal properties.
Cucumbers are
helpful for reducing
swelling.
Raw organic honey:
An especially powerful
variety is Manuka honey
from New Zealand,
made from bees that
feed on flowers of the
Manuka bush, also
known as the "Tea
Tree."
Lavender: One of the
most popular essential
oils for its calming scent,
lavender is as
antimicrobial as it is
soothing.
Neem oil: Effective
against fungal
conditions, boils,
eczema, and
ringworm, and it
would undoubtedly
help an insect bite as
well.
Tea Tree oil: Helpful for
healing cuts, burns,
infections and a
multitude of other skin
afflictions. It is also a
good antimicrobial,
including fungal
infections.
Basil contains camphor
and thymol, two
compounds that can
relieve itching. Either
crush up some fresh
herb and apply directly
to the bite, or buy the
essential oil.
Lemon and lime both
have anti-itch,
antibacterial and
antimicrobial actions.
Avoid applying citrus
juices to your skin
when outdoors
however, as blistering
can occur when
exposed to sunlight.
Peppermint—the
cooling sensation can
block other sensations,
such as itching,
providing temporary
relief. Either the
essential oil or crushed
fresh leaves will do.
Swiping a cooled tea bag over your bites can also help, as the tannins in the tea acts as an astringent, reducing swelling. For
bites all over your body, try soaking in a bathtub of warm water with two to three cups of apple cider vinegar added to it. The
acidity of the vinegar can help stop the maddening itch. Alternatively, dissolve some baking soda in your bath and soak for
about 30 minutes. You can also mix some baking soda with a small amount of water or witch hazel to create a paste, and
apply directly to the bite. The witch hazel works synergistically with the baking soda, making for a more potent mix to reduce
swelling.
Hot or Cold Therapies Can Take the Sting Out of a Bug Bite
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/22/insect-bite-treatment.aspx?e_c... 7/22/2013
How to Naturally Prevent and Treat Insect Bites
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Using either ice or heat are other options that can help ease the discomfort associated with bug bites. For example, an article
in Scientific American9 recommends using a simple ice pack to treat painful insect bites in lieu of analgesics. The article also
explains why common topical steroids like hydrocortisone aren’t always the answer—one reason being that you’re not
supposed to put them on broken skin.
According to an article published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin10 just last year, there is also little direct evidence
supporting the efficacy of commercial preparations for insect bites, including antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. The
authors concluded that the best course of action for mild local reactions is to simply clean the area and apply a cold
compress.
Alternatively, applying heat directly to the bite also appears to relieve itchiness. One simple way is to apply a heated spoon
directly to the area, as demonstrated by Lifehacker.com.11 Just hold the spoon under hot tap water for about a minute to heat
the metal, then press it against the bite for a couple of minutes. Naturally, make sure the spoon is not too hot.
It shouldn’t be scalding enough to actually hurt, so please use some common sense, and make sure to test it on your own
skin before applying the heated utensil to a child. The receptors that respond to heat are the same ones that respond to cold,
so you will likely achieve the same benefits with a metal spoon taken from your freezer, or simply rubbing ice cubes on it. I
have also found that covering the bite with tape works really well to suppress the itch.
A more high-tech version of a heated spoon is the Therapik—a handheld wand that provides targeted heat for the treatment
of itchy bites from a range of insects, including mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, black flies, ants, fleas, ticks, chiggers, as
well as jellyfish and stinging nettles. Gizmodo12 tested it, and determined that it works as advertised, giving it four out of five
stars:
“You put the tip of the Therapik onto your bug bite, then you press and hold down the button. The tip uses light to heat
the bite up. You hold it there for as long as you can take it, up to a minute. The burning sensation gets pretty intense
after 30 seconds or so... It actually works! Mosquito bites (the only thing we tested it with) stopped itching within a few
seconds of taking it off, and in most cases they never itched again. We are officially stunned. ... It works on the principle
that most insect venom is thermolabile (sensitive to heat). Therapik claims to deliver "heat in the precise temperature
range necessary to deactivate the venom from over 20,000 different species of insects and sea creatures.”
A German study13 published in 2011 confirms the hypothesis of such claims. Testing another medical device called Bite
Away, they concluded that:
“Locally administrated concentrated heat leads to fast amelioration of symptoms [swelling, pruritus and pain]. Usually an
absence of symptoms is noticeable 10 minutes after administration. Pain reduction is the dominant effect.”
To Enjoy the Outdoors, a Little Preparation and Planning Can Go a Long Way
With a little planning and preparation, you should be able to enjoy the outdoors without getting eaten alive. Remember the
Three D’s of protection from mosquitoes: drain, dress, and defend. Eliminating the breeding grounds for mosquitoes is the
first step to limiting their numbers. Planting marigolds around your yard and maybe installing a bat box or two can also go a
long way toward preventing them in the first place.
When it comes to defense, I recommend avoiding harsh chemical concoctions and experimenting with some natural
alternatives instead. Some may work better than others for each individual, as mosquitoes in particular are attracted to
certain biochemical components in your skin.
Should your preventive measures fail, there are well over a dozen different home remedies that can help, from herbs to
baking soda to ice packs or heat, whether in the form of a heated or cold spoon, compress, or electronic gadget, or maybe
even just a piece of tape.
[+] Sources and References
[+] Comments (26)
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