So a nasty mosquito has bitten you… Ouch! What do you do now?
If you want my advice: run to your home apothecary and grab your essential oils! 😉
There are a few ways to soothe the itchiness of mosquito bites. I’ll show you the essential oils you’ll want to use. Also, you’ll learn how to create a natural remedy and treat these nasty bug bites at home.
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Since bug bites are always a big topic with children, I’ll also show you which oils to use on your little ones. You want to be sure you’re not using oils that are too strong for them.
Best Essential Oils for Mosquito Bites
Essential oils are extracts of various plant species in concentrated form. Many people use them for home remedy health and wellness purposes. You can use these oils up to three times daily for treatment.
To relieve the stinging and itching sensation of bug bites, you’ll want to use:
1. Lavender essential oil (kid safe)
KidSafe Lavender Essential Oil
Get it here
Lavender works great as an anesthesia. It helps soothe itching skin, reduces pain and helps you to relax. You can use Lavender on all kinds of insect bites. I’ve even quite successfully used it on wasp stings.
2. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
Get it here
Peppermint oil offers a cooling pain relief option for a stinging insect bite. Because it also repels mosquitos, it can help prevent second and third bites in the same area. Mint oils are quite strong on their own, so it works best in a blend recipe.
3. Tea Tree essential oil
Organic Tea Tree
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Tea tree essential oil is exceptional in both its antibiotic and antibacterial and it helps reduce swelling.
4. Chamomile essential oil (kid safe)
German Chamomile (Kid Safe) Essential Oil, 5 ml
Get it here
Chamomile essential oils fight the sting of your bite and minimizes the risk of infection. It is a gentle, yet powerful essential oil that is OK to use on kids.
5. Basil essential oil
Basil Oil from Plant Therapy
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When treating bug bites at home, Basil oil is an excellent choice. It is an anti-septic and anti-bacterial agent that helps prevent infection. While it doesn’t smell the most pleasant, it supports the healing of bug itches and stings. Use it in a blend to create a more pleasant aroma.
How to Treat Bug Bites with Essential Oils
If you have essential oils on hand, whipping up a bug bite home remedy is easy! These recipes all use essential oils plus a base to dilute them in. Never apply oils directly onto your skin. You may cause rashes or further irritation.
Bug bites can be soooo itchy!
When you make a DIY bug itch treatment with essential oils, you’re also cashing in on other oil benefits. Essential oils can also improve other body conditions. For instance, Lavender oil promotes body relaxation and better sleep. And Tea Tree is a renowned antiseptic in many skin care treatments.
Stack up the health benefits and use essential oils for all sorts of things at home. Today, start by treating those itchy bug bites!
Here are 3 recipes to get you started:
1. DIY Bug Itch Roller Recipe
Do you live in an area with lots of mosquitos? Are you super prone to mosquito bites? If you hate that stinging sensation that makes you want to scratch it all the time, this bug itch roller if for you! There are many benefits of creating your own roll-on bottles. Keep it in your purse or first aid kit, ready to go at all times.
The mixture of peppermint oil and tea tree oil can help relieve the discomfort of itchy skin. Both oils offer anti inflammatory properties that help soothe a bug bite.
What You’ll Need:
- An empty 10 ml roll-on bottle (like these ones here),
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
- Top up with Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) or any other carrier oil you may have on hand at home. I choose FCO because it is thin, thus easy to apply from a roller. It also has an almost infinite shelf life, so chances of it going bad are small.
- Apply it over the mosquito bite. The cooling sensation of the peppermint will take the itchiness out. The anti-fungal property of the tea tree oil will help treat the bites.
NOTE: Kid safe variation: Use 5 drops Lavender and 5 drops Chamomile essential oils.
Not into DIY but love the idea of a roll-on? No problem. Plant Therapy has a fabulous KidSafe essential oils roller bottle available for under $10.
KidSafe Itch Away Roller Bottle from Plant Therapy
Get it here
2. Mosquito Bite Cold Compress
To stop the inflammation of bug bites from getting worse, apply a cold compress. Mix 1-2 drops each of lavender and tea tree oil into a cold bowl of water. Soak a wash cloth in it. Squeeze out any excess water before applying the compress to the bites.
If you are covered with bites, the best solution will be to relax in a cool bath.
3. Bug Bite Spray
Apple cider vinegar is used for much more than only to add a bit of sour taste to your vegetable salad. It is also possible to use this kitchen condiment to treat nasty mosquito bites. I’m not kidding. The acidic property of the apple cider vinegar is an excellent neutralizer to the stinging sensation caused by insect bites.
Mix 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar with 15 drops of lavender and 10 drops of chamomile. Put your solution in a spray bottle (such as these ones here). Shake the mixture well before applying it on the bites. This spray is lovely for bug bite relief for children!
Precautions
Essential oils can provide great relief for bug bites. They are a popular home remedy, and you may already have oils at home that you can try in the case of a sting.
If you have a severe allergic reaction, an extremely swollen bee sting, or other worrisome symptoms, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. You should also ensure that it’s not a venomous spider bite. Discontinue the use of essential oils immediately and seek medical care.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found this article useful for getting quick relief from itchy bug bites.
Treating your skin with natural essential oils is always my preferred way to approach anything. If you’d like to read further natural recipes, you may enjoy this DIY bug repellent spray recipe, or these home treatments for scars, scratches and minor wounds.
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Janet Thornton
Hi, I’m enquiring regarding the use of essential oils for mosquito bites. Also, does the oil have to be used with a carrier oil or mixed with a witch hazel or a rubbing alcohol.
Thanks, Jan
Emma Carter
Hi Janet. Yes, before applying the oil onto your skin you’ll want to dilute it. I have a bug itch roller recipe listed towards the bottom of this article, which I can highly recommennd.