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Home Remedies for Children's BITES AND STINGS
Insect bites vary from being itchy and irritating to red,
swollen and painful. Most insects - including bees, wasps,
mosquitoes and midges - only become a nuisance during
the warmer months. Protecting children from being bitten
is undoubtedly the best policy. In some countries insects
also spread infection and disease; in these cases
prevention is particularly important.
If your child is bitten by an animal. especially a will one
such as a mouse (brought in by the cat, for example), it is
important to consult a doctor before using any of the
natural remedies recommended to heal the injury.
Discourage children from scratching bites, as this only
makes them worse and can lead to infection. Some of the
remedies listed below relieve itching.
Wash insect bites straight away with soap and water.
- For babies over 1 year old:
3 drops of Eucalyptus oil in 1 cup (240 ml) of an
infusion of Lavender flowers. Dab or spray onto the
skin.
- Citronella is a very effective insect repellent, best
used in a vaporizer rather than directly on skin.
- Lavender oil contains anti-venom properties and
often acts as an antidote to the poison of bee stings.
- To make a soothing Sting Relief oil, blend 2 drops of
Lavender with 2 drops of Tea Tree in 30 ml Almond
oil. Dab onto stings with a cotton bud. This is safe
for all children over 6 months old.
For newborn babies, use 2 drops of Lavender in 30
ml Almond oil.
- Make an infusion of Lavender or Rosemary, then dab
onto skin with cotton wool. This is safe for babies
over 6 months old.
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