What to do for bug bites

[RawTruth]

Anyone have success in preventing and treating bug bites in a 2-1/2 yr. old? She's been camping and keeps waking up each morning with more bites. Yes, I know mosquito netting is the obvious, but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of something she can eat or drink that will prevent this. Or -- something non-toxic to put on her skin to prevent it.

(p.s. she's not raw now and has been eating SAD)

Thanks so much.

[Lay-Lay]

I don't no how natural this is or isn't, but when I was little my mom used to put skin so soft on me (Avon) and it worked soooo well. I wouldn't get bit.

Also make sure the body is alkaline and not acidic, but I would just rather not worry about such things myslef, LOL.

[juliebove]

I've read that taking B12 supplements helps. Doesn't seem to help me though. Eating a lot of spicy foods is purported to help. Garlic in particular. Not sure this works either. I don't personally like garlic but I do love onions and hot peppers. I still get bitten. Wearing bright or light colored clothing or clothing patterned with flowers and designs is supposed to attract bugs to you. However, I often wear black clothing and still get bitten. You're also not supposed to use perfume or scented cosmetics because this can attract the bugs.

I recently got bitten by a mosquito that came into my house. Somebody told me to put rubbing alcohol on them. I did, and the itching went right away. I did have to put it on a second time because the itching came back. My daughter also got bitten but refused to allow me to use the alcohol on her. I had some Sarna lotion and she used that instead. My dermatologist recommended the Sarna lotion for itching and said it was safe to use on young children.

[Tombi]

Greeting RT,

You may want to hold back on her sweet intake and rub lemon juice on her skin. Kinda keep her from being a sweet and delicious little bug meal. :)

[RawTruth]

Thanks so much, you guys. I've been really unsure what to do. Since I've been raw, I don't get bitten at all (my non-raw friends & family are more than a little tired of hearing me tout all the benefits from being raw -- no bug bites, no allergies, no headaches, etc. ... and they visibly cringe when I begin a sentence with Since I've been raw ... !!!!), and I wouldn't want to put chemicals on tender toddler skin (or ANY skin, actually) anyway.

So -- hmmmm ... let's see. I should make her a smoothie with garlic, peppers, and B12? LOL!!

I'll see about trying the lemon juice and then the rubbing alcohol.

And ... I do remember Skin So Soft being an all-round, all-purpose wonder lotion even getting grease stains off clothes!!

I'm not sure where I could get Sarna. Would you advise trying Whole Foods?

I would love to be in charge of what she puts in her mouth. Alas, I am not. And, once the processed stuff became a regular occurrence, she's not so keen on green smoothies.

Thanks!!!

[sport]

When I lived in Florida the Avon "Skin so soft" was recomended to me and seemed to work but as was said it may not be very natural (smells nice though).
I now use an eloctronic beeper that works for me. It emits the same frequency as one of their natural predators and they stay away.
If you do have a bite I would recomend a product called Dettol. I do not know if it is easy to get in the US but in Europe it is the leading antiseptic and dissenfectant and is used for cuts grazes and other such things. My friends in Tampa use it for bites and it seems to bring a lot of relief. Up untill now that have imported it (through guests visiting) from Ireland but last time I was there, while I was Durian hunting in the Asian Market, I saw it on the shelf there.

[wyjoz]

Also make sure the body is alkaline and not acidic, but I would just rather not worry about such things myslef, LOL.

we went camping last weekend and I tested pH alkaline and got bitten more than some other people. I was surprised, as I read about this advice before. I wonder if they bite certain kind of blood type or they'r just starved and bite because they need 'blood' to ?lay eggs? something to that affect! and it's those female mosquitos that do that !

It was suggested to burn 'citranella' candles the smell hides the homan scent and it takes them a long time to find us. we do use the candles around the tables where we eat but it's on hikes and sitting by the river or the lake that they get us. And it used to be that they would come at you toward the evenings. Now all bite all day long!

[juliebove]

Thanks so much, you guys. I've been really unsure what to do. Since I've been raw, I don't get bitten at all (my non-raw friends & family are more than a little tired of hearing me tout all the benefits from being raw -- no bug bites, no allergies, no headaches, etc. ... and they visibly cringe when I begin a sentence with Since I've been raw ... !!!!), and I wouldn't want to put chemicals on tender toddler skin (or ANY skin, actually) anyway.

So -- hmmmm ... let's see. I should make her a smoothie with garlic, peppers, and B12? LOL!!

I'll see about trying the lemon juice and then the rubbing alcohol.

And ... I do remember Skin So Soft being an all-round, all-purpose wonder lotion even getting grease stains off clothes!!

I'm not sure where I could get Sarna. Would you advise trying Whole Foods?

I would love to be in charge of what she puts in her mouth. Alas, I am not. And, once the processed stuff became a regular occurrence, she's not so keen on green smoothies.

Thanks!!!

I buy the Sarna at any drug store. Sometimes it's located with the hand lotions and other times with the first aid things. The current packaging is a bottle with a pump top on it. Looks like your average bottle of hand lotion so you might be looking right at it and miss it because you were envisioning something else.

[Rawkinlocs]

Some diluted essential oils are good as insect repellents. I also read that applying undiluted tea tree oil to existing bites is good.

Here is something I came across that might help:
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/1386

Insect Repellent
Here is an easy repellent to make that has a shelf life of around six months. Label jars “mosquito,” “tick,” etc. for quick identification.

1o to 25 drops essential oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.

Here are some suggestions for your choice of essential oils:

Bug Repellent Essential Oils
Caution: Pregnant women should consult with their doctors before using.

Ticks First Choice: Rose Geranium
Other: Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal
lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)

Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender

Blackflies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint

Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, rose geranium

Fleas: Orange oil

A note about wasps and yellow jackets: Don’t wear perfume, hair spray, or scented deodorant. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing.

[faith4u]

I was going to say what Rawkinlocs did.

Essential oils work great.

To keep getting bit I love to use lavendar.

To treat a bit tea tree oil works fantastic.

[Lay-Lay]

http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/default.asp?rep_phone=&rep_email=&newdept=&s=BrandGoogle&c=DigitalGrit&otc=skin_so_soft&department=kwsss

This site give all the ingrediants and stuff in skin so soft.

there is an essential oil called bug off. It works good.

[Sharon in Colorado]

If she's eating the SAD and these are mosquitos biting her, I'd definately apply something - get something from the health food store at least.

Mosquitos can carry the West Nile virus which has killed people here in Colorado, I don't know about California or the statistics though.

[paleogirl]

If you do get bitten, a great (and natural) way to stop the itching for around 24 hours and also reduce the swelling/redness dramatically is to hold a flannel under REALLY hot water. As hot as you can stand without getting burned. Then press the hot flannel on the bite for 30 secs or so. It really works! :)

[RawTruth]

Yippee! I have tea tree oil. Now I just have to run out to get some lemon balm or lavender.

Thanks -- I'm hoping this will make a difference tonight.

Yes, Sharon, West Nile was alive and (un)well in my very neighborhood last year (you know which one that is!). Thanks.

[Pierre]

I know two oils in the mahogany family that are good insect repellants: neem and andiroba. There's more info about neem, but if you don't like the smell, try andiroba. Neem is an antifeedant (it makes an insect's esophagus run backward) and interferes with reproduction. It can also be used to interfere with our reproduction, but it takes a lot more for us than for an insect! :) I have mixed both neem and essential oils with jojoba with great success.

Another good mosquito repellent EO is catnip, which, like thyme and lavender, is in the mint family.

[planetwax]

I have a 2 1/2 year old, too. And, we live by a river. I'm beginning to think the mosquitos are the state bird around here. Anyway, before starting raw (I'm just beginning), I was taking garlic supplements with successful results for myself. And, it seemed to help with my toddler. I was never sure if she was really taking the tiny, ball-shaped, pills. And, I don't like giving her pills. One time I found one that was just crushed on the floor. Anyway, it might be helpful to crush one into some food, or just use raw garlic in the food. It seems that if I skipped a day, I would get bitten, and same for my daughter. Good luck!

Janet

[rawpriestess]

to prevent bites, eat garlic

but to take out the sting:
dab a bit of amonia on it, it will stop stinging instantly, add a little lemon or orange essential oil for a better fragrance.


if you don't want to use amonia, you can use a little windex, it works because it has amonia in it.