Summer is in full effect, and with that, we’re spending a lot more time outdoors. While we’re having lots of fun in the sun, there’s also things to look out for. Things like bug bites, bee stings, and even a little too much sun.
Sure, there are easy steps you can take to help avoid these annoyances, but nothing works 100% of the time. Plus, there’s always that one time, or spot, that you forget.
We’ve gathered up some of the best ways to combat, and deal with the annoyances of summer and the great outdoors. These treatments will help ease the pain and side effects of bug bites, bee stings, and sunburns. The best part – most of these are natural and holistic treatments for insect bites and sunburns. And for the few that aren’t all natural, you likely have the items on hand.
Natural Ways to Deal with Bug Bites, Sunburn, and Bee Stings
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Dealing with Bug Bites
Bugs are in their glory during summer. Bees are buzzing and mosquitoes are flickering here, there, and everywhere. Thankfully, there are some creative and natural ways to avoid these critters, and treat their bites, as well. These are great solutions for camping and hiking. You might even want to add a few of these to your first aid kit.
Here are a few great ways to relieve the itch and burn of a mosquito bite:
Baking soda and water – Baking soda has so many uses, from cleaning to bug bites. It’s especially great for treating mosquito bites. Just make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the bite. The itching and burning should let up pretty quickly.
Aloe vera – Aloe vera is nature’s soothing gel. Simply snap or cut the end of a leaf off, and use the aloe vera juice directly from the plant. You can also find ointments that are made from aloe vera.
These ointments might be a better option for camping or hiking, as you’re pretty unlikely to fine an aloe just out in the wild with you. While aloe vera is a great all-natural solution to ease the itch associated with a mosquito bite, it has a ton of uses.
Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is another one of Mother Nature’s cure alls. It’s great for relieving an itch almost immediately. Apply directly to irritated area, and you should be good to go.
Treatments for Bee Stings
Bee stings are never fun, especially if you’re unfortunate enough to be allergic to them. For those who aren’t allergic, however, there are several great natural ways to treat a bee sting.
First, before trying any treatments, you want to remove the stinger. You’ll be able to tell if the stinger is still there, as it looks like a small black dot in the middle of the affected area. Use a credit card, gauze, or your fingernail to try and scrape the stinger away.
Tea tree oil is excellent to ease the burn and pain as well as any itching associated with a bee sting. This is just one of tea tree oil’s many uses.
Aspirin crushed and mixed with water is another wonderful way to ease the pain of a bee sting. Simply make a paste and apply it to the bee sting. It may sound like an old wives’ tale, but it really does help.
A dab of honey on the sting can help, too. Cover with loosely with medical gauze, and check on it in an hour or so.
Apple cider vinegar works for bee stings, too. Soak your sting site in a small basin of apple cider vinegar for about 15 minutes. This isn’t always convenient, though, and you can instead soak a bandage in ACV, and apply it to the wound.
Some folks even take a small dose of an antihistamine to relieve the swelling. Of course, you’ll want to check with your doctor first, before taking anything.
Treatment for Sunburn
The best way to treat sunburn is to never get it in the first place. We all know that’s not always possible though. You forget to reapply. You miss a spot when applying sunscreen. Or, you just think that you’re going to risk it, and live dangerously. Of course, those are times we do get sunburnt. Luckily, there are ways to ease the discomfort.
Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above is highly recommended. To help protect yourself, you should be wearing an SPF every single day. We get sun through our car windows and other everyday occurrences that we don’t even think about.
A soak in the tub with baking soda is an excellent way to ease the burn and irritation of sunburn. Add 2 cups of baking soda to a cool to warm bath.
Another great option is an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties, and is great for skin conditions. For a holistic sunburn treatment, take one cup of oatmeal and run it through the food processor until it’s finely ground. Sprinkle this in your cool to lukewarm bath water. Stir to mix – using your arm and hand is fine – and soak and let it work its magic.
Lavender or chamomile essential oil is an excellent remedy for sunburn as it soothes and moisturizes the skin at the same time. Add a few drops to your bath, or add a few drops to a carrier oil and use it as a massage oil.
These are just a few of the natural and holistic ways to treat a bug bite, bee sting, or sunburn. Before you go out into the wilderness, you’ll definitely want to brush up on these simple first aid tips. It’s important to remember that feeling good in the summer is just as important as looking good in the summer. Take care of your skin, and it will take care of you.
