Apply a cold compress or ice pack for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time. After the 10 minutes of application, leave it off for another 10 minutes. Do this rotation for up to an hour.
If you take a daily allergy medication, be careful if you want to take an additional antihistamine. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you can increase the dose, or combine it safely with another type of medication.
Papaya — Lay a slice on the bug bite for an hour. Onion — Rub a slice of onion on the bug bite. Garlic — Crush a clove of garlic and apply the garlic to the bug bite.
As an alternative, use one to two drops of lavender or peppermint oil to help stop the itching.
Place the tick in a plastic baggie or small container (e. g. empty pill bottle, etc. ). If the tick is still alive, store it in the fridge for up to 10 days. [16] X Research source If the tick is dead, store it in the freezer for up to 10 days. If you aren’t able to submit the tick within 10 days, throw it out. Even frozen or refrigerated ticks won’t be viable for testing after 10 days.
If you live in Canada in a province that does not have a provincial lab that tests ticks, you can submit the tick directly to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) for testing. Follow the instructions on the Government of Canada website to submit a tick to the NML. If you live in the United States, each state’s public health department will have a procedure on how to submit a tick for testing. Check your state’s public health website for detailed instructions. [21] X Research source If you show signs of infection but are still waiting on the results of the tick test, do not delay treatment, and remember that false negatives are possible, or you may even have been bitten by another tick and not be aware.
Read the instructions for the repellent lotion as to whether you can use it on your face. Never apply it near your eyes. Insect repellent that contains DEET is the most effective. Wait at least 30 minutes before applying the repellent if you’ve just applied sunscreen.
You can also tuck your pants into your socks to keep the bugs from biting your ankles.
They even make citronella-scented badges that you can wear on your clothing.
The following essential oils work to repel bugs: eucalyptus, clove, citronella, neem oil or cream, and camphor and menthol gels. If you’re applying a solution directly to your skin, be careful to keep it away from your eyes.
If the person who was stung has a known allergy to certain bug bites, she may carry an EpiPen (a portable shot which delivers epinephrine) with her. If she has one, follow the instructions on the EpiPen to administer the medication to the person immediately. The person must still see a doctor immediately, even if you have administered a shot of epinephrine.
Secondary infections can be caused by itching and causing a break in the skin through which bacteria can enter. The skin is the first layer of defense against infection. Persistent pain or itching, fever, signs of infection at the bug bite location. As an example, if this person has an infection, he will most likely need antibiotics in order to fight that infection.
