Top 4 Essential Oils To Help Alleviate Itchy Bug Bites

Bug bites can be very itchy and uncomfortable, no matter whether you have a mosquito bite, bee sting, or some other insect that’s left its mark on your skin. But with the right oils and tricks up your sleeve, you can do more than just scratch away the itch—you can get relief in several ways. In this blog post, we'll explore five essential oils that provide various relief for bug bites - lavender for itching relief, eucalyptus for cooling sensations, peppermint for pain relief, coconut oil to soothe dry skin and reduce inflammation from the bite; tea tree oil is also an excellent choice if over-the-counter creams don't work well enough. Going over all of these essential oils is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

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Although all five oils have proven benefits for bug bites, it's important to note that one oil may be more helpful than another in some instances. You'll want to experiment and find out what works best for you. Many different essential oils have been proven useful for treating insect bites and stings. Before choosing a specific oil for relief, it's important to determine exactly how your skin reacts to the bite or sting. This can be achieved by trying different combinations of essential oils mixed or just by using one oil on its own.

4 Essential Oils For Itchy Bug Bites:

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil not only tastes great, but it is also widely used as an effective form of relief for insect bites and stings. How does it work? The lavender essential oil contains a chemical compound that is known as  linalool. This compound has been proven to be extremely effective in combating itching and inflammation. According to a research article published in the journal "Rheumatology International", linalool can be used to help those with eczema improve their skin condition. It seems that lavender essential oil also has an analgesic effect on bug bites, meaning that it can provide some relief from pain caused by the sting or bite of a mosquito, bee, etc.

2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. This essential oil can be especially helpful for reducing swelling and itching from insect bites. While the exact mechanism of action is still unclear, eucalyptus essential oil has been shown to inhibit skin cell growth and encourage the breakdown of toxins in the body. It seems that eucalyptus essential oil can help you recover from bug bites more quickly than using other remedies.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil may help relieve pain caused by a mosquito or other bug bite. It has been observed that people who have a peppermint essential oil-based rub on their skin are less likely to experience significant pain after being bitten. Peppermint oil can also reduce the itchy, red appearance of insect bites and may help prevent them from getting infected.

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is commonly used to treat insect bites and stings, as well as skin infections caused by bacteria. Tea tree oil has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that can dramatically reduce the itching and redness associated with bug bites. However, you should avoid applying tea tree oil directly to your skin if you are allergic to plants in the pepper family (such as black pepper and eucalyptus).

DIY Mix Of Essential Oils For Itching Bug Bites

Recipe 1: 

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml of almond oil
  • 10 drops (each) of eucalyptus and lavender essential oils.

Procedure:

  • Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. 
  • Shake well before spraying over the affected areas.

Recipe 2:

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml of coconut oil
  • 10 drops (each) of peppermint and tea tree essential oils.

Procedure:

  • Blend the ingredients and apply them to the affected area.

Recipe 3:

Ingredients:

Procedure:

  • Soak a large cloth in cool water and leave it in the refrigerator to cool completely. 
  • When you're ready to apply the cloth to the affected area, add several drops of your favorite essential oil mix.

Benefits Of Using Essential Oils For Bug Bites:

1) Essential oils are super concentrated and can only be diluted with a carrier oil. A carrier oil  is a great option because it keeps the essential oils in their most potent form, rather than cutting them with water or vegetable fats.

2) Storing essential oils in a cool dark place can help to preserve the freshness and integrity of the ingredients. Because bug bites tend to produce irritation, it's essential to choose an oil that has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

3) Essential oils don't require any preservatives and have no artificial coloring or flavors added. This means that they don't contain any chemicals that could pose health risks even if they are in their purest form.

4) Essential oils are very powerful and should be diluted before applying them to the skin.

5) Essential oils are created by distilling plants, which means that they contain antioxidants and other nutrients that can help boost the immune system and fight any infections caused by the bite or sting.

6) Essential oils have been used for centuries for health benefits due to their powerful scent, medical properties, and long-lasting effects.

7) Many essential oils are naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatories which can help relieve the itching and swelling after a bug bite or sting.

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FAQs:

1) Can you use essential oil during pregnancy?

It is not recommended that you use essential oils during pregnancy because they can act as uterine stimulants, which means that they could theoretically interfere with your body's ability to be pregnant. Essential oils and their carriers should also be kept away from the eyes until after you've washed them off.

2) How to use essential oils for bug bites?

If your skin is sensitive to essential oils, there are also neat lotions, bug bite balms, and creams available, which contain no essential oils at all. As with everything else, for pets, it depends on the type of pet and the kind of bug bite that he or she suffers from. If your pet gets a bug bite or is bit by vampire bugs then there is certainly no harm in applying eucalyptus oil to the affected area.



 

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