Spending time in the great outdoors is a hobby for some and a passion for others, but no matter how much you love nature, no one likes a bug bite. Even if you cover yourself--head to toe--in bug repellent and wear long sleeves and pants, you still are susceptible to bug bites. If you do end up getting bitten, there are some quick and easy remedies that you can use to treat the itching a swelling.
Instructions
1. Wash the bite and the surrounding area. Like any cut or scrape, the first thing that you need to do is clean the effected area. This can simply be done with a gentle wash using warm water and soap. If you have a gentle soap, like a baby shampoo or non-allergenic soap, this is best. Dry thoroughly afterward.
2. Apply an ice pack. Ice is used in sprains to reduce swelling, and it has the same effect here. Apply an ice pack directly to the bite for at least twenty minutes. Take a break every so often if the area begins to numb, but reapply shortly thereafter. This will also help reduce the itching.
3. Take aspirin or ibuprofen. Once you have applied ice to the bite, take a mild pain reliever to alleviate the pain of the bite. Two aspirin or ibuprofen will dull the sting for the period of time that it is likely to hurt you.
4. Apply calamine lotion. If the bite begins to itch uncontrollably, apply calamine lotion to the bite itself and the area surrounding it. Calamine lotion dries out the bite, provides a cooling effect to the burning and inflammation, and relieves some of the itching. Reapply every couple of hours, until the itching subsides.
Tags: Apply pack, aspirin ibuprofen, calamine lotion, calamine lotion bite, lotion bite