Shutterstock / namtipStudio©The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have put together a list of home remedies to help treat bites and stings that are an unfortunate side effect of encountering insects.
Bites and stings can be very uncomfortable when they become red and itchy, and if left untreated they can even become infected leading to further problems.
Home remedies are a quick and effective way to treat these sorts of things, keeping pain and itchiness to a minimum.
Tricks include applying things like cucumbers, honey and vinegar.
A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “It’s summer now which means we’re all outside a lot more but so are the bees, wasps and other pesky insects so the odd sting or bite is more likely.
“It’s not just insects, sometimes we can get stung by plants like nettle leaves without realising.
“They can be pretty nasty and leave you quite sore which can be normal but it’s important to treat bites as soon as you can to avoid the risk of further infection.
“Some of the best treatments for these sorts of things can be made up of a few items that you’ll already have in your kitchen so you won’t have a problem accessing them.
“Things like cucumber and honey can help with pain and itching in just a matter of minutes.”
Ice
Ice is a great and obvious way to treat a bite or sting. It cools the area down which can sooth the pain, ease the redness and treat any inflammation.
Place some ice into a sandwich bag and wrap it in a tea towel before applying to the affected area.
Honey
When it comes to stings, honey is great for helping with healing and itching.
Just apply a small amount to the sting and cover it with a bandage and rinse off in an hour.
Cucumber
When applied to the skin, cucumber shrinks and constricts body tissue which can help with stings and bites.
Cut a small slice and rub on the sting until the pain eases.
Baking soda and water
Baking soda is a common ingredient in most home remedies and it’s no different when it comes to stings.
Mixing baking soda and water and applying this to a sting can dramatically help with swelling, itching and pain.
Apply the paste to the sting and loosely cover it with a bandage ensuring that you wash the paste off within 15 minutes.
Vinegar
Vinegar can help to calm the stinging and burning of a sting or bite and can also act as a disinfectant.
Apply vinegar to a cotton pad and place it over the affected area and apply pressure.
Lemon juice
Using lemon juice can provide relief to a sting. Squeeze a fresh lemon and use a cotton pad to apply the juice to the sting.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a popular remedy for most things and for those who have one, using the extract from an aloe vera plant will soothe any bite or sting and reduce swelling.
For more health tips from “The People’s Friend”, click here.
Iain McDonald I am the Digital Content Editor at the “Friend”, making me responsible for managing the flow of interesting and entertaining content on the magazine’s website and social media channels.
