10 Home Remedies for Insect Stings

share this post       

Tips to Soothe and Calm Your Skin after a Sting

Bumble bees, honey bees, wasps and hornets: what do they all have in common? They sting! Almost all of us have a story about a painful summer sting, but not many people know how to properly care for their skin after the fact.

beestinghomeremedy 
Generally speaking, stings cause irritation, pain, and itching. These symptoms will typically go away within a few days to a few weeks if the area isn’t irritated further. However, a small but significant portion of the population suffers from severe allergic reactions to stinging insect venom. For these people, an insect sting may lead to swelling of the throat, trouble breathing, hives, nausea, and anaphylaxis. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to contact a medical professional immediately.

For most of us, the following home remedies can make the healing process go faster and ease the symptoms of a sting significantly. Don’t let hornets, yellowjackets, and other stinging pests ruin your chance to have a good summer! Keep reading to learn more about home remedies for insect stings.
 Sign up now to receive our free guide to stinging insects!

Popular Home Remedies for Insect Stings

Ice

Using ice on an insect sting will reduce blood flow to the affected area, helping to dull the pain. This method has the added benefit of cooling you down on a hot summer day. Grab an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas, or an ice cube form the freezer. Next, wrap the object in a napkin or thin towel and hold it on the sting for approximately 20 minutes. 

Garlic

Try crushing up a clove of garlic and applying the paste to your irritated skin. This method is most effective if you place a bandage over the paste to keep it in place. The longer you leave it on, the more it may help. 

Onion

Sometimes the best remedies are the simplest ones. Simply cut an onion in half and hold the flat side against your sting. The onion’s natural healing properties may reduce the pain of the sting. 

Baking Soda

You can concoct a healing baking soda paste by placing the powder in a bowl, slowly adding water, and mixing until it reaches the consistency of toothpaste. Spread the paste onto your sting and cover with a bandage. Re-apply the homemade paste as often as you need. 

Salt

Salt can be soothing for the skin. You can make a healing salt paste using the same method that you would with baking soda. Alternatively, take a soak in the ocean! The ocean’s concentration isn’t as high, but may have a similarly calming effect on your irritated insect sting. 

Lemon or Lime Juice

After a run-in with a stinging pest, you can try using the juice from a lemon or a lime to soothe the area. Dip a cotton ball in the citrus juice, then apply the cotton ball to your skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Known as a healthy condiment and a DIY beauty product, apple cider vinegar is also a favorite healing remedy for some. The acid in the vinegar neutralizes the insect sting, which leads to reduced pain. All you have to do is find a cloth or a cotton ball and soak it in vinegar. Dab the vinegar onto your bite, and repeat as often as possible.

Vinegar

ACV isn’t the only vinegar that you can use to help your sting heal. Try white vinegar if you have it on hand. Use a cotton ball or a cloth to dab the vinegar onto your skin, and repeat the process after it’s dried. 

Honey

Honey may speed up healing, and is also known to reduce itching and pain. Find a natural honey and apply a small amount onto your sting. To keep the spot from getting too messy, simply cover it with a bandage or band-aid and continue on with your day.

Essential Oils

For ages, people have used plants for healing purposes. Essential oils extracted from plants can help with the discomfort of insect stings. At the store, look for products that contain lavender, calendula, tea tree oil, aloe vera, or witch hazel. All of these plants contain compounds that can help soothe a sting.

If you have an aloe vera plant in your home, you can use the gel inside of one of its leaves to help calm the irritation of a sting. Simply break the leaf off of the plant and squeeze the gel onto your sting.

Calendula requires some processing, so it’s best to buy a cream that already has calendula in it. Witch hazel purchased at the store can be applied directly to your sting. Lavender and tea tree can both be used in their essential oil form, but they should be mixed into a carrier oil first, such as coconut oil or shea butter.

 

Protect Your Skin from Stinging Insects

There are plenty of ways to soothe and cool the burning sensation of a bee or wasp sting. Before you rely too heavily on these methods, however, always make sure that you aren’t suffering from allergic symptoms such as nausea, swelling of the mouth or throat, trouble breathing, or hives. If these symptoms occur, contact a medical professional right away.

The best way to cure a sting is to make sure that it doesn’t happen in the first place! Work with a professional pest control specialist to keep stinging insects out of your yard and away from your home. At Home Pest Control, we use environmentally pest control methods that are safe for you and your family.

Want to learn more about stinging insects and how to keep them away? Download our free resource, “A Quick Guide to Stinging Insects: Identification, Prevention, and Threats.”

 

Sign up now to receive our free guide to stinging insects!

April 4, 2019


Recent Posts

Termite Treatment Options for Your Home

There are many types of termite treatments available on the market. So, how do you decide which one is best suitable for you?

continue reading

Harmless Pests Found in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to so many snakes, rodents, and reptiles, it can be difficult to tell which ones are dangerous. Learn

continue reading

Joro Spiders Have Arrived in South Carolina: Should You Be Concerned?

Palm-sized Joro spiders have arrived in South Carolina, but don't be alarmed! Learn about how these creepy creatures can

continue reading