Bites from spiteful and vicious insects can not only make somebody’s day miserable, it can also cause distress to a large degree especially if the insect bite or sting resulted to the release of toxic substances that becomes a massive complication to health. Common insects that bite are mosquitoes, bees, spiders, wasp, hornets and fleas. In most cases, insect bites will result to itching. The itchy sensation is caused by a substance from the insect that is injected to the person’s skin. It is certainly annoying, but it is not dangerous. What is dangerous and threatening is if the insect bite resulted to an anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that commonly requires immediate medical attention. Others will experience a large swelling of the skin that will invade the whole body. But the worst is when it affects the respiratory system. When this happens, or when signs of this type of severe reaction occur, it is necessary to bring the victim to the hospital for appropriate treatment. But insect bites cannot easily be prevented, especially if one lives in exotic locations, such as in tropical areas all over the world. The good news is, there are several preventive home remedies that have shown potential in treating the most common symptoms of an ordinary insect bite. Using them may alleviate the discomfort and prevent complications.

• Bromelain

  Bromelain is originally used as a meat tenderizer, but it has found its way to become one helpful part of the plant that can help reduce the signs of inflammation, as well as treat indigestion. Bromelain is a plant extract from the plant family Bromeliaceae. One member of the Bromeliaceae family is the pineapple. Bromelain can be found in all parts of the pineapple plant. But in the extraction of the enzyme that will be used as an anti-inflammatory agent, the stem part is being used. This is probably because the fruit part is being used for food, while the stem is easily available after the fruit is harvested.

  Discovery of the medicinal use of Bromelain happened during the 1800s. In Germany, the German Commission E has given the approval to make use of the said plant extract to reduce inflammation symptoms after surgeries of the nasal and sinus parts. Studies made on the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant extract showed mixed results, especially when applied to the inflammation resulting after surgery. But it is said that Bromelain can help reduce swelling, bruising, pain – all inflammatory signs, and trim down healing time. Those with insect bites can benefit from the anti-inflammatory effect of Bromelain. By taking 400-500 mg of the plant extract three times daily, anybody suffering from those nasty insect bites can breathe a sigh of relief.

• Calamine lotion

  Calamine lotion has been, for decades, used as an antipruritic agent. Antipruritic agents are medicines that reduce the sensation of itchiness. Insect bites are itchy because of the toxins that are injected by the insect into the body that causes the body to react against the allergen. Calamine lotion, which is a combination of zinc oxide and ferric oxide, relieves the feeling of having to scratch the bitten area constantly.

• Calendula ointment

  Calendula is a flower with power. The flowers of the plant are yellow and orange colored. For many people, it is commonly named as Marigold. It certainly looks good as a flower, but it has more benefits than exuding beauty. Calendula has, for centuries, shown that it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Ointments made from this plant are effective in reducing inflammation by attacking the microorganisms that causes the condition. But not only will it diminish the symptoms caused by the insect bites, it is also a good insect repellant.

• Grape seed extract

  As the name suggests, grape seed extract is an extract from the seed of whole grapes. The extract has been found out to be rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, flavonoids and proanthocyanidin. Recent studies have shown that grape seed extract actually has the capability to hasten the healing of skins that are injured and are therefore inflamed. According to the findings, grape seed extract has anti-inflammatory properties because of proanthocyanidin. But the added advantage is that it has antioxidant effects due to the proanthocyanidin, flavonoids and vitamin E. In insect bites which passes toxic substances to the body, antioxidants can help in destroying the proliferation of toxic elements that will eventually cause complicated diseases. 75 mg of grape seed extract taken every day is effective in relieving the potentially disastrous effect of a tiny insect bite.

• Lavender

  The essential oil of lavender has proven for years to be effective in diminishing the symptoms of inflammation. It has also been proven to have antiseptic effect. In fact, lavender extracts were used in hospitals in the olden days to disinfect the floors and walls. These days, it is used in several bath products, not just for its scent, but for its preventive properties as well. Lavenders are mostly used as insect repellants. In combination with other oils, lavender is an effective means to drive away insects. Never ingest lavender oil, for it is considered, based on several studies, as cytotoxic, especially if one is pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Plantain leaves

  Plantain leaves are different from the plantain leaves of a plant that produces banana. Plantain leaves comes from the genus Plantago. In many cultures, the leaves of the plantain plant is shredded and chewed, into a fresh poultice. The poultice is then placed directly on an insect bite. Several traditions have proven that a poultice of plantain leaves can rapidly reduce swelling, heat and pain of an insect bite. For several centuries, plantain leaves have been proven to have astringent, antitoxic, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic and antimicrobial effects. It is also used as an expectorant, diuretic and in the case of insect bites, as a demulcent.

• Vitamin C 

  The purpose of vitamin C in insect bites is more on strengthening the immune system than directly providing therapeutic effect on the injured part of the skin. By taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C, two to six times every day, the body is assured that it is protected from the toxic properties injected by the insect through the skin. Vitamin C may come from fruits and vegetables, or it may be from processed capsules and tablets available in the market. Not only will vitamin C protect the immune system, locally, it will also help reduce inflammations inside the body.

Sources
naturalhealthontheweb.com
umm.edu
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
mountainroseherbs.com
bulkherbbenefits.com
en.wikipedia.org