Help! Insect bites

tenzing

Hello all - it's that time of year again - got bitten to death a couple of days ago round my ankles, across my back and tummy and I'm itching like mad. Don't want to spend a fortune in the chemist. Any natural ways - herbs or something?
Thanks for reading.

LJM

my MIL swears by a insect bite pen you can buy from boots she said it reliefs the itch almost straight away,she gets bitten quite often as do i so may have to take a look,if not try calomine lotion

starstella

I have ended up in casulty with insect bites so don't take it lightly.The best thing is to let your dog lick the bites.It sounds disgusting but I didn't have a problem when my dog licked my bites.Now she is gone I do get a bad reaction now and again.Antihistamine cream works well it soothes the itch just keep re-applying as needed.I am also thinking of using Jungle ( Ithink thats the name) It repels mosquitos and other biting insects.I am a walking banquet for biting insects so any suggestions would be welcome.Thankyou tenzing for posting this .:)

chrisaj

If you like essential oils there are several which will keep insects at bay. Lemongrass, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, these will need mixing into a base lotion, apart from lavender which can be applied neat on the skin, this is good for bites as well.
For when you've been bitten, lavender, and tea tree are good

tenzing

Thank you all - have been taking antihistamine tablets at night but had a feeling there was something natural you could use to stop them biting you in the first place.

mandi

1% hydrocortisone cream applied x 3 daily will reduce the swelling & itching

mandi

tenzing wrote: »

Thank you both - have been taking antihistamine tablets at night but had a feeling there was something natural you could use to stop them biting you in the first place.

Avon skin So soft is supposed to be very good, apparently some troops in Iraq use it

tenzing

chrisaj wrote: »

If you like essential oils there are several which will keep insects at bay. Lemongrass, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, these will need mixing into a base lotion, apart from lavender which can be applied neat on the skin, this is good for bites as well.
For when you've been bitten, lavender, and tea tree are good

Thanks chrisaj. Have just looked on ebay and am totally confused (doesn't take much) as there are so many!! Any hints as to what to go for please, and what is a base lotion? Sorry to be so dim.

gemmaj

Do you know when you got bitten / where you were?

I am allergic to insect bites so have tried all sorts, but I haven't found anything natural and effective for deterring insects.

The best thing I do is put up insect screen on my windows every spring/summer. I buy kits that come with the net and some sticky velcro type tape.

Insects are mostly active around sunset so avoid being out then, and mosquitoes need standing water to breed so don't leave any water outside in pots etc.

On my list to try next is electronic insect repellers, they have a battery and emit and high pitched inaudible sound to discourage insects for a few feet radius. They come in a keyring size portable version.

Just read the extra posts above - I lick my bites myself when they itch and it works! Do it when no one is looking tho!! and I have found that Avon SKin So Soft DOES work to put insects off from biting, but have tried lavender and clove and lemongrass in a base (base is something you dissolve the essential oil in since you can't apply most of them neat, generally nice oils) and none of them did much at all. But other people find they help!

tenzing

Thanks gemmaj. It was when I was gardening - my favourite pastime. That's why I wanted to try to repel whatever it is that's biting me.

chrisaj

tenzing wrote: »

Thanks chrisaj. Have just looked on ebay and am totally confused (doesn't take much) as there are so many!! Any hints as to what to go for please, and what is a base lotion? Sorry to be so dim.

If you go into holland and barrett, they do aromatherapy stuff, essential oils the base oils and mixing bottles . Tea tree and lavender can be used neat on the skin.
Anything else you buy must go into a base, or the oils will burn your skin. Base lotions can be either grapeseed/sweet almond/coconut/evening primrose oil. I can give you the amount of how much to mix, if you want to pm me I can explain