Warmer weather is on the way and so are the bugs emerging from a winter resting phase to begin their winged adult life stages. Whether you’re taking a breezy morning hike, at the beach with your family, or peacefully sleeping with the window slightly cracked to let the cool night air in, a sting or bite from a bug is a very real possibility. There isn’t much research that’s gone into why certain bugs chose certain hosts but we can narrow it down to odour or appearance.
Bugs that bite or sting include:
- Wasps
- Hornets
- Bees
- Horseflies
- Ticks
- Mosquitoes
- Fleas
- Bedbugs
- Spiders
- Midges
What do bites & stings do to the skin?
Bug bites and stings can be painful, but are almost always harmless. When an insect bites, it releases saliva, venom or proteins that can cause the skin around the bite to become red, swollen and itchy. The venom from a sting often also causes a swollen, itchy, red mark (otherwise known as a weal) to form on the skin.
Weals can burn, itch and swell but eventually go away in a day or two. Some bites or stings can transmit disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites or even cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
How to naturally heal bug bites & stings?
Honey
Honey has skin soothing, antiseptic, and wound healing properties. Applying honey to the stung site might help with the swelling, aid in healing and help prevent the site from getting affected. Honey is also believed to release oxygen into wounds to aid healing and help flush out dead tissue.
Toothpaste
If your bite or sting is itching, apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the affected area. This should be a paste, not a gel toothpaste. This creates a tingly sensation on your skin which satisfies the urge to scratch the area while also reducing itchiness. It should be noted that alkaline toothpaste (high pH) neutralizes the acidic honey bee venom (low pH). This means that toothpaste will not necessarily work on wasp venom, which is alkaline. It also has a dehydrating effect and can help accelerate the scabbing of the weal
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps to neutralise some venom, prevent infection, and lower inflammation. If you're struggling with an itchy and swollen bug bite, apply some apple cider vinegar to the irritated area. The acid will stop the itch and help your bite heal faster and become reduced in size.
Essential oils
People who want a natural approach to pain relief from bites and stings can turn to essential oils. Lavender Oil It can be especially helpful for spider bites, fire ant bites, and bee stings. Lavender was found to have notable anti-inflammatory effects on a cellular level. Try it for relieving bug bites of all kinds. Tea tree oil is also incredibly anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
Apply ice
Use a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice and press it onto the area of the bite or sting for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, raise it.
SkinSpring is a 100% natural facial and body mist that gently tones, hydrates, and rejuvenates the skin. It is made from a premium Hypochlorous (HOCl) Solution that is suitable for all skin types! So how does SkinSpring heal bites and stings?
HOCl is naturally produced in your immune cells (white blood cells) as a first line of defense against pathogens and inflammation and infection. It also promotes cellular repair to damaged tissue. HOCl It is well-known for its potent anti-microbial properties, but at the same time is gentle and safe enough to use on children’s skin. That’s why it’s the ideal skin solution for itchy, swollen skin!
