Optimum Wellness

  So often we hear about natural bug repellants. Lotions and sprays that contain essential oils like citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, and thyme may be useful to keep biting insects at bay. Also, neem oil, an Ayurvedic plant remedy, can help keep the bugs away. But suppose you are one of the lucky ones that the bugs love no matter what. Speaking from experience and from a recent experience that our daughter had during a brutally hot softball tournament, sometimes you still get bit – a lot. Then what?

We tend to keep a bottle of Benedryl lotion on hand for more severe, itchy rashes, either due to insect bites, stings or irritations. The Benedryl can help ease the inflammation and soothe the itch. Equally and sometimes more effective are some natural anti-inflammatory remedies.

Essential oil of peppermint is a very useful addition to any first aid kit. A drop of peppermint oil applied to an insect bite can help decrease inflammation and increase circulation, allowing the toxins from the bug bite to be dispersed so that the bite actually shrinks. Oatmeal, baking soda, and clay can also be used to help pull the toxins out of the bite. You first make a paste using about a tablespoon of any of these, add water and stir until a paste forms. Apply the paste onto the bite, allow it to dry and then wash it away. You can try doing the same thing with a slice of freshly cut eggplant or cabbage leaf – applied directly to the bite.

Freshly sliced cucumber or lavender oil can be soothing and help reduce swelling. Aloe vera gel or using a small piece of aloe vera leaf from an aloe plant and slicing it in half can be very soothing when applied to the residual rash or bumps left after a bite or sting. Calendula cream or gel, from the marigold flower, is also very soothing and healing.

If you are bit or stung, there are certain signs and symptoms that you should not ignore. Allergic reactions from bee stings or spider bites, for example, can be dangerous and at worst can send people into anaphylactic shock. Fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, trouble breathing, extreme redness and swelling and/or confusion require immediate medical treatment. Call 911 if any of these symptoms persist.

Homeopathic remedies may also be of value for relieving the pain and swelling of bug bites and stings. Here is a look at a few of the most commonly used homeopathics for this purpose:

Aconite (Aconitum napellus): This remedy is used right away and is indicated when (after a bite or sting) the person feels panicky or fearful. There is intense pain as well as swelling, numbness or tingling. Aconite is usually followed up with another remedy – typically Apis or Ledum.

Apis (Apis mellifica): Apis is most commonly used in the case of a bee sting. It may help reduce swelling and is indicated when the sting causes tender swelling that is pink or red and hot to the touch.

Arnica (Arnica Montana): Arnica is most often used when there is intense bruising and soreness in the area of the bite or sting.

Cantharis: This remedy may be indicated if a bite or sting results in intensely burning, scalding pain. The area of inflammation is red, and blisters may develop.

Ledum (Ledum palustre): Ledum is most often used to treat mosquito, black fly, and sand flea bites. It is indicated when there is swelling beyond just the bite area, aching pain, a bluish tinge and a possible feeling of cold and numbness.

Urtica urens: From the Stinging Nettle plant, Urtica is indicated when bites are intensely itchy and burning with reddish blotches Urtica may also be used in the case of hives that sting and itch.

Homeopathic doctors may suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose orally (under the tongue and away from food) and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and allow the remedy work. If there is little to no improvement or there was initial improvement that has stopped, then another dose may be taken. If there is no improvement or response within a reasonable amount of time, a different remedy may be needed. Again, some bites or stings may require emergency medical treatment, so by all means call 911 immediately. And for more information on using homeopathic remedies talk to a homeopathic doctor or naturopath.

And a final worthy note. There are some combination homeopathic and/or herbal topical creams that may also help soothe the itch or pain of a sting or a bite. We like Ssssting Stop (yes, that is how it is spelled) by Boericke & Tafel. It can be applied immediately on top of the swelling or bite area. A little Tea Tree or Lavender essential oil may also bring relief.