When the weather gets warm, you want to spend more time outside, but this means being bothered by a variety of bugs that can bite and sting you. Bug bites are itchy and uncomfortable, so you want to control the symptoms as quickly as possible to ensure relief. There are a number of bugs out during the summer months that can cause problems. The most common pests include mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, horse flies and bee stings. The bites and stings from these pests can result in days of discomfort.
The bites from the bugs listed above are all irritating and all respond to essential oils. It is important to apply the oil as soon as you notice the bite to reduce any of the symptoms that may occur. Reapply the oil every two hours, as necessary, to prevent any further symptoms. Many people find that creating a pre-made mixture of essential oils for bug bites is beneficial because then you have it ready when you or someone else in your home experiences a bite or a sting. You can prepare a mixture in a spray bottle so that it is always ready.
Using Essential Oils for Bug Bites
Since essential oils can be irritating to the skin, it is important to first dilute them before use. There are a number of carrier oil options, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil and olive oil that work to nourish the skin while the essential oil soothes the symptoms of the bug bite. Read the dilution instructions on the back of the essential oils bottle to ensure that you are using the right ratio of essential oils to the carrier oil. Remember that if you use more than one essential oil in your mixture, that you should dilute them separately before combining to ensure safety.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender has a reputation for being calming and relaxing and these qualities are largely responsible for its ability to soothe bug bites. This versatile oil also works to repel certain bugs that may bite you, such as mosquitoes and ticks. A few drops diluted in a carrier oil can be applied directly to the offending bite.
2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This oil has a number of uses because there are many different species. Its use for bug bites is thanks to the Aborigines in Australia who started to use this oil to soothe small skin issues, such as scrapes, cuts and bug bites. When choosing a eucalyptus essential oil, make sure that you are using one that is a therapeutic grade to get the best results. You can also use this oil as a way to repel a number of outdoor pests to prevent bites from occurring.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is well-known for its ability to promote skin health and the health of the immune system. The species that works best for skin issues, such as bug bites, is found in many areas throughout the world, including Australia, Guatemala, China, France and Florida. It is important to use an unadulterated oil as much as possible to get the most beneficial effects and to prevent any negative effects. When this oil is changed too much, it means that chemicals are added that can cause further skin issues instead of relieving them.
4. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is mostly used for digestive complaints and to help with issues that affect the sinuses and respiratory system. However, research shows that it can also take the sting and the itch out of various bug bites when applied directly to the skin. Use this along with a carrier oil that does not have a strong smell, such as olive oil, so that it is diluted without overpowering the peppermint aspect of the oil. This oil can be applied directly to various bites and stings as long as it is properly diluted per the instructions on the bottle.
5. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil has several dozen uses with one of the most popular being helping you to cope with bug bites. It can also help to repel a number of bugs during the summer, especially mosquitoes. You can mix this oil with others, such as peppermint, lavender and tea tree oil to make the positive effects on bug bites more intense for times when a bite is severely itchy or irritated. Just make sure to properly dilute this oil when you use it alone or as a mixture to prevent skin irritation.
6. Basil Essential Oil
This popular herb tastes great and it also makes for an effective and versatile essential oil. It has a strong scent and it is most commonly used to help with tight muscles so that you can relax and have less pain. Throughout history, people have used this oil for various digestive and respiratory ailments. More recently, people have learned that applying this oil directly to a bug bite or sting helps to alleviate the irritating symptoms. Make sure that you dilute it properly and the best carrier oil for basil is olive oil.
7. Thyme Essential Oil
This antiseptic essential oil helps to calm bug bites, as well as help to prevent them from getting infected. It contains a chemical called thymol that produces the antiseptic effects and this also helps to soothe your bug bites and stings. You can mix this oil with eucalyptus essential oil to improve the soothing effects.
You may need to experiment to determine which essential oil is most soothing for your bug bites. Some people benefit by mixing at least two of these oils together to make a bug bite concoction. Just make sure that you are safely and properly using essential oils to get the most benefit and to prevent issues like skin irritation. You should also be mindful of the oils that you use on children, the elderly and pregnant women to ensure that everything is done as safely as possible.