Everyone is familiar with the irritating, itchy sensation of a bug bite. The itchiness starts almost immediately after the insect bites. Slapping the bite, scratching around the bite, or applying cold compresses can only provide so much relief. Is there a natural relief ointment or cream that proves effective for relieving itchiness? The anti-itch bug bite sticks in this article may be exactly what you need.
Even though summer is almost over, bug bite season is not. Insects tend to stick around until the beginning of fall, getting in every last bite possible. All of the fly strips, bug zappers, swatters, citronella sticks, and more cannot seem to win the war against insects. They always find a way past your defenses and get you when you least expect it.
Why You Shouldn’t Scratch A Bug Bite
The last thing you want to do is scratch the bite to the point of bleeding. Scratching a bug bite, especially a mosquito bite, makes the itching worse. Bug bites itch because of inflammation and scratching something that is already inflamed only increases the inflammation. That’s why bug bites itch more after you itch them. If you break the skin as a result of scratching, it can increase the risk of infection, itchiness, and it can make the healing process take longer.
Calendula Flower
Some people refer to calendula as the Swiss Army knife of the forest. It has many healing properties and can help relieve diaper rash, itchy eyes, wounds, dandruff, sunburn, and bug bites. It exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which accelerate the healing process while simultaneously reducing itchiness.
Beeswax
Beeswax has powerful properties that help to heal and protect the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties help accelerate wound healing and create a protective barrier on the skin. This helps to protect the skin from the environment and can relieve itching in the process. Additionally, beeswax exhibits antibacterial properties, which help to keep the skin clean and reduce the risk of more inflammation or contamination.
Lavender
If you’ve seen a lavender bush, you know that many bugs are attracted to it. More often than not, bees collect pollen from the flowers and bring it back to their hives. Well, as it turns out, lavender is a popular remedy for treating bug bites. The soothing properties are similar to that of chamomile and help to relieve pain or itchiness. Several studies found that it proves most effective for spider bites, fire ant bites, and bee stings. That being said, the notable anti-inflammatory properties work to relieve bug bites from all insects.
DIY Anti-Itch Bug Bite Sticks
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sunflower oil
- 1/8 cup calendula flowers
- 1/8 cup lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
Instructions:
- Pour the oil in a glass canning jar and add the calendula and lavender flowers. Stir a few times to ensure that there are no air bubbles.
- Screw the top on the jar and place it in a windowsill for about three weeks for a slow infusion.
- If you want a quicker infusion process, set a heat-safe glass jar with the oil and flowers in a saucepan containing a few inches of water over low heat.
- Keep an eye on the oil for about two hours and then strain the oil, discarding the flowers.
- Add the beeswax to a heat-safe glass jar along with 3 tablespoons of the infused oil that you reserved. Place it in a saucepan with a few inches of water in it over low heat.
- Allow the beeswax to melt and stir well to combine.
- Remove from the heat carefully and pour into lip balm tubes or tins. Allow the mixture to harden completely before putting on the tops.
- To use the bug bite sticks, dab the bug bite with them as needed to relieve itchiness.
