How To Get Rid of Itchy Bug Bites With 5 Essential Oils

Itchy bug bites can become seriously irritating. In some cases, they can even cause mild allergic reactions. If you have kids, then knowing how to get rid of itchy bug bites can help prevent scars and infections from scratching. The best natural treatment for bug bites is to use essential oils.

Essential oils have been scientifically proven to help improve itchy bug bites along with numerous other benefits. Making your own bug bite treatment is easy, and can often be done with items already in your home. 

To make your own itchy bug bite treatment, you’ll need: 

• A rollerball bottle or spray bottle
• 2 Tbsp of fractionated coconut oil
• 10-20 drops of your choice of essential oils

Mix the essential oils and coconut oil together. If you find that it’s still too strong, add equal parts water to the essential oils. Some essential oils can burn if used directly, so it needs to be diluted. Finally, pour the mixture into your bottle and use it on your itchy bug bites! 

Why Are Bug Bites Itchy?

When bugs bite humans and animals, they inject a type of acid. The body recognizes this acid as a foreign substance and works towards fighting it off to protect the body. This is why bug bites often itch, redden, swell, or create a burning sensation. 

Depending on how your body reacts to certain bites and stings, this process can be lethal. For instance, bee stings are a common allergy. People with bee sting allergies can have extreme allergic reactions that can potentially cause death. 

If you’re stung or bitten by an insect, be sure to look out for the following symptoms:

• Blotchy rash 
• Difficulty breathing and wheezing
• Chest pain or increased heart rate
• Faintness and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cramps
• Severe swelling in certain areas
• Extreme itching

These are signs of an allergic reaction. You should seek medical attention immediately after experiencing one or more of these symptoms- essential oils will not help with severe allergic reactions. 

Essential Oils For Itchy Bug Bites

Each essential oil has different properties to help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent infections. It’s important to understand how each one works so you can use it to its greatest potential. 

You can even mix the oils together if you want to make an even more powerful blend! Be sure to do a small patch test before you try it on a bite. If your skin becomes irritated, itchy, or swells, wash the mixture off. 

Eucalyptus – Best For Reducing Inflammation

Eucalyptus has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The smell might give you a sense of relief as it’s used in almost every over-the-counter flu product you can think of such as vapo-rub! It’s often used for burns, bites, and stings. This makes it perfect for those red itchy bug bites that look like they might be infected. 

Since eucalyptus is antibacterial, it can reduce the risk of infection some bug bites can create. It’s best for tick bites and on bites that haven’t broken the skin yet, or itchy spider bites. 

Tea Tree – Best For Reducing Infection

Since tea tree oil is antibacterial, it can reduce the risk of infection some bug bites can create. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that really proves how powerful essential oils can be. It’s been used to get rid of pesky zits and even worts for centuries!
It’s best for tick bites and on bites that haven’t broken the skin yet. Tea tree oil has shown to prevent bacteria and other microbes in bug bites. 

Tea tree oil is the perfect solution for kids who can’t stop scratching. The tea tree oil reduces the risk of infection and is also a natural antihistamine. This means that the tea tree oil can reduce the swelling and itchiness if you have an allergic reaction to the bite. 

Lavender – Best For Calming and Pet Care

Lavender is great for calming the nerves. It’s been used in cooking to increase appetite and mood because of gastrointestinal relief. In addition to its therapeutic effects, lavender can fight against a number of pests by repelling pests and helping bug bites- talk about calming!

Lavender can be used to both repel and stop itchy bug bites from ants, mosquitos, bees, and so much more. Lavender is safe to use around most pets. Be sure to ask your vet before using any essential oil on your pet and watch out for adverse reactions.  

Lemongrass – Best For Preventing Diseases 

Ever gone on a hike and came back with a couple of bites you have no idea what they could be? By reducing inflammation and fighting against possible diseases in bug bites, lemongrass is great for itchy bug bites that might not have a known source.

Lemongrass is an antimicrobial agent, meaning it can help prevent diseases. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like yellow fever and zika virus. Lemongrass also contains a compound called luteolin glycosides. According to a 2014 study done by the university of Naples, this compound offers a less toxic alternative to other anti-inflammatory drugs.  

Chamomile – Best For Mild Allergic Reactions

If you begin to experience extreme symptoms from an itchy bug bite, you should call a healthcare professional immediately. However, if your bug bite has gone beyond just being itchy and begins to swell, change color, or become painful, use chamomile.

You’ve probably used chamomile before in your bedtime tea. But did you know that chamomile has a long history of helping with itchy bug bites and stings? Chamomile is also anti-inflammatory, which helps with the itching and burning sensation some bug bites have.