As a parent, you are expected to solve every possible problem. Predict, make scenarios and try to find solutions for situations that might not even come out. And one issue that we face every summer is mosquitos. In spite of applying various repellents, we can’t seem to avoid the itchy bites. Mosquito bites are annoying and everyone hates them but rarely are we prepared to solve them.
This natural bug bite cream contains all natural ingredients that work like a charm for red and itchy bug bites. It is a complex solution to fight bacteria, soothe and calm your skin and relieve the discomfort.
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We are at the phase of planning our holiday and it is a big thing for all our family members. We are a family with 2 teenagers and 1 almost there and each has their own ego and ideas about what they would love to see, explore, visit etc. And then there’s is me, mom, trying to make everybody happy and in case something goes wrong I am the first one to be blamed. Our bug bite cream kit comes in handy as it contains all natural ingredients that treat itchiness, inflammation, redness, and swelling caused by the bite. This cream for itchy bug bites is a thing that I carry with me everywhere. It found its place in my “box of rescue” next to the thread and needle, matches, patches, mosquito spray, safety pins, etc.
Know your Ingredients for the best bug bite cream
Calendula infused oil – calendula is a powerful healing herb that is ideal for healing wounds, scars, burns, and bruises [1] Moreover, it’s anti-inflammatory properties are suitable for the treatment of bites in case of any redness or infections. Calendula is also soothing, moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin and therefore help to heal the bites faster.
Lemongrass essential oil can prevent the spread of any insect disease. healing properties of lemongrass are well known and used mainly for its antiseptic effect on the skin. Lemongrass is a very good cleanser and a sterilizer that can make your skin stronger and healthier. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the pain and itchiness which is usually caused by insect bites. [2]
Tea tree oil – is very powerful in healing cuts, burns, and infections. It is also very strong in fighting bacteria topically [3]
Chamomile essential oil – Chamomile possesses calming and soothing properties that can help with possible allergic reactions caused by insect bites or stings. It also helps with pruritus and burning which are very common reactions associated with bites. [4]
Lavender essential oil – among the calming and relaxing effect on the whole body, lavender also acts as an antibacterial and antifungal and is very effective in the treatment of burns and insect bites. [5]
Other natural solution to treat itchy bug bites
as you can see each ingredient we used for our balm is effective on its own. So if you don’t want to prepare our balm or you don’t have all the ingredients, use only one.
- instead of chamomile oil, use cooled chamomile tea bags. Cold tea bags reduce swelling and calm the itchiness.
- in the case of nasty bug bites put tea tree oil that has powerful healing properties and helps fight potential infection.
- calendula oil is ideal for healing burns and insect bites so don’t hesitate to use it on its own.
- According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ice pack application helps with itchiness and reduces for the swelling of painful bites, such as a bee sting. [6] Whether you use purchased ice cushions or freeze the chamomile ice tea into ice cubes both will provide relief and reduce pruritus.
- On the other hand, Lifehacker suggests using a heated metal spoon that you press against the bite. When mosquitos bite, they inject protein under our skin to prevent blood from clotting. The protein is, in fact, the substance that causes this itchiness, luckily it has a hard time surviving in high temperatures. If you hold a hot coffee spoon tight against the bite for a couple of minutes, the itch should disappear. Test the hot spoon on yourself, before you apply it on your child.
- If you happen to have aloe vera plants you might want to use its gel on the bug bite. Aloe vera belongs to one of the most nutritious plants that help relieve pain and heal burns and bruises.
- cucumber can help reduce swelling
So what is your solution for itchy bug bites?
Natural cream for itchy bug bites
This natural cream for itchy bug bites contains all natural ingredients that work like a charm for red and itchy bug bites. It is a complex solution to fight bacteria, soothe and calm your skin and relieve the discomfort.
Materials
- 2 tbl spoons calendula infused oil](https://amzn.to/2IcEVAV)
- 1 tbl spoon coconut oil
- 1 tbl spoon beeswax
- lemongrass essential oil
- tea tree oil
- chamomile essential oil
- lavender essential oil
Tools
Instructions
- To make a perfect salve, pour the lavender infused oil, coconut oil, and the beeswax into your double boiler. Set the heat to low-medium, and allow the beeswax and coconut oil to melt into the oil. Stir well.
- Once it is completely melted, just remove the mixture from the heat and let sit for a few minutes to cool it down a bit.
- Add your essential oil: You can add more or fewer drops of lavender, tea tree, lemongrass and chamomile essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into the glass container, close tightly and you are done:)
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Love that big chunk of beeswax you have! Sounds like a great recipe!
I need to try this. Mosquitoes seem to love my little guy and he doesn’t like me applying anything to keep them away. I have a calendula oil that we use, but I want to try a cream like this to soothe the itchiness so he stops scratching.
There is a plunger called Bite Be Gone when put over the bite and plunger pulled up it extracts the venom. In case you don’t have one use a straw and put over bite, suck all the air out and the venom will be extracted from bite then clean with alcohol…..really works..I’m allergic to bug bites….
Totally saving this post for summer time when it’s needed most!
Maybe this is a dumb question, even though they aren’t the same thing, can I use lemon essential oil in place of lemon grass essential oil and have it do roughly the same things? If I wait to order lemon grass oil, I might forget to make it at all – ha!
Actually I have read that lemongrass ess oil is an entirely different oil than lemon ess oil.
So it’s important to use lemon grass.
Hi Elouise, I agree.
Thanks for this helpful recipe and fantastic tips for natural bug bite remedies! We’ll be traveling in some very buggy areas this summer so will definitely be referring to your advice.
Thanks for sharing all these great tips, and this bug bite cream sounds great! We will try it out!
I have a rollerball I made up with lemongrass and lavender (and something else, I forget what) that we use but this looks great as well. I need to try my hand at making a cream.
I love this idea! We usually use an essential oil blend/spray for keeping the bugs away, but we don’t have anything for when they are persistent and bite anyway. I generally grow a lot of Calendula (usually more than I was expecting) and I love making Calendula oil. Now I have another great use for it!
I do want to make this recipe but am wondering how many drops of each essential oil do you suggest we use? Or how any drops in total would be safe to use?
Thank you very much for sharing this recipe.
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
for 25 ml of this bug bite cream you can use 5-10 drops of essential oils in total. If you decide to use both suggested essential oils I would use 2-4 drops of each.