It’s amazing how much bug bites can ruin our summer plans. Once we’ve been bitten, it feels like that annoying itchiness is all that we can think about. Fortunately, there are several essential oils that can virtually treat a bug bite within seconds.
All of the essential oils listed below have unique healing properties that reduce itching, redness and swelling when applied to the skin. All of these oils have been proven to reduce inflammation quickly and safely. Plus, they all smell great!
Five Essential Oils for Bug Bites
Tea Tree Essential Oil
If there’s one essential oil that belongs in every medicine cabinet, it’s tea tree oil. Renowned for its potent anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil can treat a wide range of skin-related issues.
Tea tree essential oil has been proven to act as an antihistamine when applied topically to the skin. It is capable of reducing the swelling, redness and itching that results from a bug bite (source).
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Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is one of those incredibly versatile oils that can seemingly do it all. From its ability to boost energy levels to its powerful antibacterial activity, peppermint oil is a must-have for any household.
If you want to treat a bug bite quickly, peppermint essential oil is an excellent choice. In one study, peppermint essential oil was found to stop itching when applied to the skin of pregnant women. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling and irritation of the skin. Meanwhile, the menthol in peppermint essential oil cools and numbs the affected area (source).
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Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil has a reputation for stopping itching on contact. This is because of the fact that its anti-inflammatory properties are incredibly potent. Plus, eugenol, the essential oil’s leading chemical compound, has a cooling and numbing effect when applied to the skin.
Basil essential oil is also a mosquito repellent. Therefore, you can apply it to the skin in order to prevent more pesky bug bites.
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Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil’s calming effects are well-known. It’s often used to soothe discomfort along the digestive tract as well as anxiety. Therefore, it should be no surprise that chamomile oil can soothe an itchy, annoying bug bite as well. In fact, the oil has been proven to reduce itching quickly and effectively when massaged into the affected area (source).
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Lavender Essential Oil
Known for its calming, soothing effects on the mind, lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils out there. In addition to its incredible ability to reduce stress and promote sleep, lavender oil is capable of treating bug bites quickly.
When applied to the skin, lavender essential oil reduces itching and irritation quickly. Its anti-inflammatory properties decrease swelling while its calming properties ease irritation (source).
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How to Use These Essential Oils
To treat a bug bite with any of these essential oils, all that you have to do is pour about two or three drops into a small bowl. Then, pour about one teaspoon of a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil into the same bowl. Stir the two oils together. Next, dip a cotton ball into the oil mixture and press the saturated cotton ball against the bug bite. Hold it there for twenty or so seconds. After that, massage the oil into the skin. You can do this several times during the day.
Summary
Next time you get a bug bite, simply reach for one of these five essential oils. You’ll be blown away by how quickly they soothe that awful itching sensation and make the swelling go down.
Do you use essential oils to treat bug bites? Tell us all about it by leaving us a comment below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends!