How To Treat Insect & Spider Bites

Baking Soda

At first, individuals may not think baking soda would have anything to do with bug bites. However, considering the many uses baking soda has, all of those cleaning hacks, for one, it's actually not a real big surprise baking soda is also just as effective against bug bites as it is anything else. The secret rests in baking soda's chemical makeup. Because it is alkaline, it neutralizes the pH within the bite. A lot of the venom used in spider and other insect bites are acidic, which is what causes the area to become inflamed. Since baking soda is a base, it neutralizes the acid, and the area is no longer undergoing inflammation. For individuals experiencing itchy symptoms from their bite, baking soda could basically take care of the problem for them.

The best method is to make a paste out of baking soda, which can be done by adding some water and stirring. Once it has thickened up, individuals should apply the paste to the bite regularly throughout the day. Individuals who want a thick paste should mix three parts baking soda to one part water.

Continue for more treatment methods for insect and spider bites.

Calamine Lotion

One of the worst things individuals can do when they receive an insect or spider bite is to itch the area. This can become a maddening experience since it's almost impossible not to itch. However, by itching, individuals may actually be spreading the infection or venom within the bite even further through their body. For venomous bites, this could prove to be a fatal mistake. To help with the need to itch, one of the best methods out there is calamine lotion.

Typically used for poison ivy, poison oak, and other irritants against the skin that can cause itching, this lotion is just as effective for bug bites. The lotion is a counter-irritant as it works to reduce inflammation and itching. The calamine within the lotion evaporates once it is spread against the skin. This creates a cooling effect that can help soothe the irritated area. Zinc oxide is an ingredient found in calamine, and it actually has antiseptic properties to help prevent further infection.

Keep learning about how to treat spider and insect bites now.