Insect Bites-what To Use-natural Alt Please

[toomuchmess]

Hi my DD tends to get bitten and i don't like the idea of puting chemicals on.
Anyway she is going away soon with school :eek: and i wanted to give her something natural that she can easily apply to prevent and something to stop the itching if she does get bitten.

Luckily they don't like me,so i have no idea what to use.
Does anyone out there have any reccomendations
thanks

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[MRSMCAWBER]

hi there

I use citronella to stop the wee beasties, and tea tree oil if one manages to get a bite ;)

You can get ready made products for both..which should be gentler on her skin:D

[lemonade_money]

Would second Mrsmc - citronella and patchouli oils are a great natural remedy and you can make these into a soap you can wash with before heading out into mosquito land!

[icefall]

tea tree oil might come in handy too

[ixwood]

Aloe Vera's supposed to work I think. Plants are cheap and readily available as well and can be used for all sorts.

[donny-gal]

I had a small bite in a restaurant out in Spain last week, and my neighbour who I was with said put some lemon on it and asked the waiter for some, and he brought a wedge, rubed it on and it stopped it itching, and didn't have to touch it again, would not have believed it .
DG

[stefejb]

I've heard that avon's skin so soft body oil is a good repellent! i use tea tree or lavender oil to take the itch away

[Justamum]

Prevention is better. When I first moved to Swaziland years ago I was bitten to death by mozzies. I was not used to the heat so was drinking quite a lot of fizzy drinks. A colleague told me I had sweet blood which is why I was being bitten. I stopped drinking the sweet drinks and didn't get bitten again! Also avoid perfume.

[juliettet]

I second the Avon skin-so-soft as a repellant. Liz Earle has a treatment called spot on which really works (about £7.00 I think)

[~jules~]

calamine lotion might help, but I dont know if its natural.

[Fern Merkin]

'Witch Doctor' witch hazel gel is very good. I have a bad reaction to midges after over exposure some years ago in Scotland. The swelling is often 3-4 inches across:eek: and v itchy. This product helps tremendously and is handy to carry about.

http://www.blushingbuyer.co.uk/products-by/witch.html (http://www.blushingbuyer.co.uk/products-by/witch.html)

This link shows the products but they are available in Boots etc

[an59]

I lived in Cyprus and nothing could stop those mossies biting me.I tried eating Garlic too,as "they hate the smell" -nope that didn't work for me either.Splashed on Lemon cologne-no that failed. Tried those battery operated machines too that you can carry around with you. The noise was irritating and I still got bitten.i must admit that the tablets you heat up did a bit to help but the smell was vile. Just buy a big mossie net and hide under it.If you're lucky you'll escape with a nights sleep!

[fiscalfreckles]

I've heard that avon's skin so soft body oil is a good repellent! i use tea tree or lavender oil to take the itch away

The Avon dry oil body spray IS a good repellent - but make sure you get the one in a turquoise bottle, it used to be called "woodland fresh" but I'm not sure if it still is?

It works because it contains Citranellol, a natural, lemon scented repellent (the same stuff they put in garden candles!), so check the ingredients of other toiletries too, it is sometimes in shampoo etc.(e.g. Head & Shoulders). I try and make sure I use as many products containing it on holiday as possible.

Another thing that is supposed to work is eating Marmite, just a little bit in the morning, as this permeates the skin and also acts as a repellent.

I'm afraid I can't really help with treatments, as I usually have an allergic reaction to bites and nothing but antihistamines will work for me. Aloe Vera gel does help soothe a bit though.

[noonesperfect]

Neem 40 Genie stick is good.

The size of a lipstick and is entirely natural. It can be used for bites, stings, grazes and all sorts of other nasties.

Multi purpose and very gentle.

[BAGGY]

take vitamin b tablets (not sure which vit b though - same as marmite contains). Same idea as eating Marmite but if you don't like it a healthy alternative. I scratch like crazy when bitten and have found that after bite stick is good but must be full of chemicals as it smells like floor cleaner.

[belfastgirl23]

Another avon fan here. Although it's a pig to clean the bath oil off the bath after use :) but feels like a treat rather than an insecticide....the spray idea is a good one btw

[Savvy_Sue]

Hi my DD tends to get bitten and i don't like the idea of puting chemicals on.
Anyway she is going away soon with school :eek: and i wanted to give her something natural that she can easily apply to prevent and something to stop the itching if she does get bitten.

Luckily they don't like me,so i have no idea what to use.
Does anyone out there have any reccomendations
thanksCheck that the school are happy for her to have something she can put on herself - I know when mine have been away with school they have been very strict about what the children can keep with them, what MUST be handed in, and what staff will be able to administer.

I believe some trips have suggested that insect repellent is taken, but I don't recall them asking for anything to soothe bites.

I've had a little 'clicker' thing which works reasonably on some kinds of bites - but TBH it may depend what's likely to bite her! Bees and wasps need different traditional remedies, for example, neither of which is particularly easy to carry around 'just in case' on a school trip.

[RoseFairy]

take vitamin b tablets (not sure which vit b though - same as marmite contains). Same idea as eating Marmite but if you don't like it a healthy alternative. I scratch like crazy when bitten and have found that after bite stick is good but must be full of chemicals as it smells like floor cleaner.


i think this one is Thaimin or B1. but is usually better for adults than kids - ie vit over dose etc.

i am already here abroad and i bought Dr Johnson insect repellant spray and gel from Body Care. not sure how 'natural' it is but i was looking for citronella in the ingredients. i am applying just before sunset - which is when 'they' like to come out. here since sunday and so far so good. DD1 not bitten.. however i forgot poor dd2 yesterday and she has been bitten at least 6 times. so im glad with the spray. yet to try gel ....

[fifitrix123]

Tiger Balm is a good way to get rid of the bites, you can buy it in poundland, but don't get it near eyes as it is strong!!!

[chrissie55]

Vinegar applied to bites takes away the itching for hours.