Recognize insect bites
In a very concrete way, it is sometimes difficult to know how to distinguish a sting insect, for the simple and good reason that not all of them take the same form on the skin.
However, there are some main criteria, according to which it is possible to know if it is a mosquito, a wasp, or a spider. Visual criteria, but also physical for certain insects. In summer, here are the main bites likely to appear on the skin :
- Mosquito bite: a circle-shaped pimple forms, often a little puffy,
- Wasp sting: a swollen red spot, which is accompanied by pain,
- Bee sting: a puffy redness,
- Hornet sting: localized redness accompanied by itching and pain, but also a potential generalized allergy,
- Spider bite: an itch, as well as localized redness and swelling.
And if all these stings are more or less serious, there are natural solutions to relieve them, and sometimes even to avoid them!
Natural solutions to repel insects
Keep insects away is probably the first reflex to adopt to avoid bites. In this perspective, Baria Laalej, naturopath, gives us four practical and natural tips!
- “Place pieces of cloth soaked in lemongrass essential oil around your home, or use a diffuser,
- If you like garlic, spray garlic water at home (for this, macerate garlic cloves cut into pieces in a glass of water),
- Cut a bottle in half. In the lower half, mix 50 g of brown sugar and 20 cl of hot water and then pour in 1 g of brewer’s yeast without mixing it. Place the top half of the bottle in it, neck down. The sugar will ferment and mosquitoes attracted by the fermentation gas will get stuck in the bottle,
- Plant some pepper mint and/or lavender, basil in your garden, balcony or window.
Depending on the insect targeted or the means at its disposal, the techniques will be different, but all have proven themselves. However, sometimes insects are even more “smart”, and manage to bite us. As a result, the unpleasant itching sensation may occur. Mother Nature still has what we need to relieve her!
Natural solutions to avoid itching
An insect bite often responds to a feared consequence: scratching. But, initially, according to Baria Laalej, this responds to a very clear logic: “When you are bitten by an insect (mosquito, wasp…), the immune system secretes histamine in response, which leads to itching which can be accompanied by inflammation..”
So there are natural solutions pour “Avoid this sometimes unbearable itching to the point of scratching until you bleed and risk an infection:
- Vinegar (cider or white) or fresh lemon juice, to be applied to the bite using a compress. These products, to be used pure, are very concentrated in acetic acid, which is an excellent antiseptic and helps to relieve itching,
- You can also gently rub the sting with parsley, the leaves of which have been crushed to extract juice. You can also apply a bandage on crushed parsley to the bite mark. It is also possible to use blackcurrant leaves, plantain leaves or geranium flowers in the same way if you have them available,
- Spread a poultice of baking soda on the bite (prepare a paste with a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of water), to which you can add a few drops of lemon or vinegar,
- In the event of a wasp or bee sting, following removing the stinger and cleaning the wound with soap and water, blow the heat of the hair dryer for two minutes, and then apply an ice pack soothes the pain . You can also put a poultice of green clay to suck the venom.”
With all this, the summer should happen under the best auspices! But there is still a question that needs to be answered: what regarding essential oils ?
If, for example, it is customary to evoke citronella to repel mosquitoes, is this solution universal? And above all: are there essential oils to relieve insect bites? According to Baria Laalej, naturopath, it seems so!
Essential oils to relieve insect bites
First, Baria Laalej warns us: it is possible to use essential oils to relieve a bite, “but there are many contraindications depending on age, allergic terrain, state of health. It is therefore necessary to inquire well in advance..”
In fact, essential oils are natural products, but very concentrated. Very often, they are not recommended for pregnant women or young children, and the best thing is to take advice from a specialist. It is also essential tokeep animals away from this type of product.
Nevertheless, when the ground is favorable and all the conditions are met, there are essential oils to adopt for relieve insect bitesstarting with the lavender asp which seems to be, according to Baria Laalej, “the one that is unanimous and can be used by most of us”.
To choose it, the naturopath tells us that “to be sure it is the right variety of lavender, just refer to its Latin name: lavandula latifolia medik”.
Regarding its use, Baria Laalej advises us touse pure : “a drop on the bite to renew every quarter of an hour if necessary”. And as we said for all essential oils in general, here, “aspic lavender is prohibited for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under 6 years of age. For this more fragile public, we can use real lavender, fine lavender, lemongrass,eucalyptus lemony or rose geranium, diffused for 30 minutes in the room (no baby present at the same time). Many organic brands offer synergies, to be used either in diffusion or in cutaneous application..”
Spike lavender essential oil is not the only one that helps relieve insect bites, and it is even possible to create your own synergy anti-itch: “One drop of Java Lemongrass essential oil diluted in 4 drops of vegetable oil applied to the skin several times a day (strictly from 3 years old only). At less than 3 years, and in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding, only in diffusion.”
Now all that remains is to enjoy the summer, of course!
