Updated: 09/03/2019
CONTENTS
- 1. Baking Soda
- 2. Witch Hazel
- 3. Cucumber
- 4. Tea Bags
- 5. Oatmeal
- 6. Aloe Vera Gel
- 7. Ice Pack
- 8. Neem
- 9. Honey And Cinnamon
- 10. Warm Bath
Are you suffering from the symptoms of bed bug bites that are itchy, swelling, and inflammation[1]? Do you want to know which natural treatments are best to deal with bed bug bites? If your answer is ?Yes,? you can keep reading this writing to understand more. There are many ways of healing bed bugs bites at home by using vegetables, fruits, herbs, and many more. In this article, we will show you 18 best natural home remedies for bed bugs bites.
Top 18 Natural Home Remedies For Bed Bugs Bites
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It may help neutralize acidic chemicals which may lead to itchiness from bites of bed bugs. Besides, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and aids in reducing swelling and redness[2].
Remedy:
- First of all, you mix baking soda with water at a ratio of 1:3.
- Then, you apply this mixture generously on your affected area.
- You should allow it to be on there for about 10 minutes and rinse it off with clean water.
- If you still feel uncomfortable after doing this process, you should repeat this after 30- 45 minutes.
2. Witch Hazel
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Witch hazel is known as a liquid astringent which you can buy from a drug store. It is mostly applied as a facial cleanser. However, it has tannins[3] that contain a mild anesthetic, and thereby, it may help in calming itching that is caused by bites of bed bugs[4].
Remedy:
- At first, you soak a cotton ball or clean cloth in witch hazel.
- Then, you apply it to your affected area.
- You should keep it staying on there for about 10 minutes and remove.
- You may repeat this process as you need.
3. Cucumber
Cucumber slices and peels contain a large amount of caffeic acid and vitamin C that are good for health[5]. Besides, this vegetable may reduce inflammation and give relief from swelling and itching caused by bed bug bites because it contains many minerals and antioxidant properties [6].
Remedy:
- You put a piece of cucumber slice or peel on your affected areas.
- You should allow it to be on for 10- 15 minutes.
- In order to have a more soothing effect, you should cool the pieces firstly in the refrigerator.
- Repeat this process as you need.
4. Tea Bags
Thanks to containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, tea bags have many benefits on health, especially for heart health[7]. Using moist tea bags to treat bites of bed bug may help you in combating the itching and swelling which is caused by the bed bug as well as other insect bites[8].
Remedy:
- Firstly, you cool a moist and used tea bag by putting it in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.
- Then, you place it on your affected area for 15 minutes.
- You should repeat this process as you need.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is famous for treating skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis[10]. Because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, oatmeal is an excellent remedy to decrease skin irritation and itching that is caused by many insect bites[11][12].
Remedy 1:
- First of all, you mix a little water with some teaspoons of oatmeal to have a fine paste. Then, you apply it on your affected area.
- Next, you keep waiting for 15-30 minutes before washing it off.
- You should repeat this process 3-4 times a day for a week.
Remedy 2:
- You prepare one-half cup of colloidal oatmeal (the best is ground oatmeal) and warm bathwater.
- Then, you mix them. You may combine with a little peppermint essential oil. Now, you soak yourself in this bath for about 15 minutes.
- Keep doing it a few days.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
As we know, aloe vera is known as a plant that can help improve skin health by moisturizing skin, protecting the skin, and healing wounds[13]. It is also beneficial for reducing swelling and relieving burning sensation caused by bed bugs[14][15]. You may get aloe from a store; however, using fresh aloe vera from the aloe vera plant is the most wonderful way to eliminate the itching from bed bug bites.
Direction:
- If you apply aloe vera from a store, you massage a little of it on bed bug bites after you rinse your affected areas and let them dry.
- In order to use aloe vera from the plant, you cut an aloe vera leaf.
- Then, you squeeze it to get the aloe vera gel.
- Then, you apply this gel directly to your affected areas..
7. Ice Pack
Ice has a cold temperature, which may help in numbing the nerve endings and thereby relieving the itching sensation that is caused by bed bug bites. Besides, it will help to calm the swelling[16][17].
Remedy:
- Firstly, you put some ice cubes into a thin towel and wrap.
- Then, you place it on your affected areas.
- After 10-15 minutes, you remove it.
- You should repeat this process as you need.
8. Neem
Using neem leaf?is one of the simple natural home remedies for bed bugs. The antimicrobial properties of neem may help in treating swelling and itching effectively[18][19].
Remedy 1:
- First of all, you crush a handful of neem leaves gently.
- Then, you rub these leaves on your affected areas.
- You should rub it again as soon as it dries.
Remedy 2:
- You boil the water for about 10 minutes.
- Then, you add some neem leaves to it.
- You can use this water to take a bath and treat your affected areas. Neem water is beneficial for taking a bath before going to bed because the smell may repel the bed bugs.
9. Honey And Cinnamon
Thanks to its potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, honey is an effective way to treat skin disorders. It may relieve burn, heal wounds, and reduce dry skin. Using honey may help in reducing the redness when you are bitten by a bed bug[20][21]. Besides, cinnamon is known as a prostaglandin inhibitor. It may decrease inflammation, pain, and soothe itchiness that is caused by bed bug bites[22][23].
You can mix these ingredients at an equal ratio and rub it to your affected areas to treat bed bug bites. Keep this process until you feel better.
10. Warm Bath
Soaking yourself in a bathtub with warm water is one of the simplest natural home remedies for bed bugs because you use many ingredients which are helpful to relieve bed bugs. You prepare a ? cup of one of the ingredients such as peppermint oil, oatmeal powder, baking soda combined with a little salt or Alka-seltzer (if you do not have any allergy with aspirin). Then, you mix it with warm water in the bath. Next, you soak yourself on it for about 30 minutes. You should do it regularly to have the best results.
11. Soap And Water?
You can wash the affected areas with water and mild soap [17]. To do it, you use a bar of soap with enough water to wet your hands. Then, you rub the lather to your bites of bed bugs liberally. You have to repeat this process until the entire areas are covered. Make sure that you allow it to be on there and do not rinse. You let the soap lather dry over your bitten areas. You will get immediate relief from the itching and swelling.
12. Mint
Mint contains menthol that people use it as a home remedy for a lot of diseases such as inflammation or upset stomach. To use mint to treat itching that is caused by bites of bed bugs, you can get some drops of peppermint oil and rub it to bites of bed bugs[24]
Another option, you can use the peppermint leaves to make a tea. To do it, you drain out the water. Then you use a clean cloth or cotton ball to put the tea to bites of bed bugs.
13. Lavender
Lavender is one of the interesting home remedies for bed bugs. It may help in treating itching effectively[25]. It may immediately get rid of the itch. In addition, many people agree that taking a bath with lavender before you go to bed to prevent the appearance of bed bugs during the night because the smell of lavender may make the bed bugs go away.
Remedy:
- First of all, you put some drops of lavender oil to warm water.
- Then, you soak yourself to this water for 15-30 minutes.
- Some suggest that you can use a mixture of lavender oil and juniper berries in your bath to improve the treatment powers of lavender.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the effective remedies for bed bugs bites. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and acetic acid content [26], it can help in relieving itching and burning. If you cannot take apple cider vinegar, you may use white vinegar to replace.
Remedy:
- You take a clean cloth or cotton ball and soak in apple cider vinegar/ white vinegar.
- Then, you apply it on your affected areas.
- You allow it to dry and rinse it off with clean water.
- If the symptoms do not be relieved, you should repeat this process after a few hours.
15. Juniper Berries And Cloves ( Not Recommended For Pregnant Women)
Cloves and juniper berries are an old-world natural treatment for many diseases, including bites of bed bugs. These berries have a dark purple color, and they belong to the family Cupressaceae. They have a large amount of vitamin C [27] and the byproduct that is considered as oil. The oil can help in reducing itching while vitamin C has the ability to help in fortifying the immune response. Besides, clove contains eugenol that also helps in numbing bed bug bites.
Remedy:
- You melt 2 tablespoons of beeswax in a pot
- Then, you add about 1/3 cup of unsalted butter, 1/3 cup of ground juniper berries, and 1 tablespoon of ground cloves and you stir well.
- You should allow the mixture to cool before you apply it to your affected skin.
16. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural astringent. It can help in drying out rashes that caused by bites of bed bugs as well as keep itching at bay. Besides, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties [28] may help you to decrease redness, swelling, and prevent infection.
Remedy:
- You dip a cotton ball or clean cloth in lemon juice.
- Then, you rub it on your bed bug bites.
- You should let it dry naturally, and then you rinse it off with water.
- Keep doing this process 3-4 times a day to get the improvement.
Note: Lemon juice can make the skin susceptible to sunburn. Remember not to go out for a few hours after you use this remedy.
If you want to know more about natural home remedies for other diseases and conditions, go to our main Home Remedies page. After reading the article of the top 18 natural home remedies for bed bugs bites, we hope that you can find out the best solution to get rid of bites of bed bugs quickly and easily. However, all content provided is for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you and to avoid the side effects when applying these methods. In addition, asking for healthcare professional?s advice may help you know that you have to take medicine or not.
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