Naturopathic Treatment and Prevention of Bug Bites

PREVENTION:

1. Wear protective clothing
2. Take 400mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) daily for 6-8 weeks before exposure.  When the body metabolizes B1, it is excreted via the skin and emits an odor that is unpleasant to mosquitos.
3. Apply a body oil that combines any of the following essential oils:  citronella, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, clove, and cedarwood. For every 100 ml of base oil (try jojoba or almond oil) add 50 drops of any combination of the essential oils listed above.

TREATMENT:

1. Any of the following ointments applied topically will provide relief from pain, burning, and itching: witch hazel, lavender oil, Tiger Balm, Apis gel (by Dolisos), or a baking soda paste (baking soda and water).
2. When a bite occurs, use homeopathy to reduce pain and swelling.  For all remedies, use a 30C dose, take 3 small pellets under the tongue every 2 hours until the symptoms improve.  Remedies are specific to the presentation:
   1. Aconitum napellus – This remedy is used when the person feels panicked after being stung, and the sensation of the sting is cutting, stabbing or burning, along with swelling, tingling or numbness.
   2. Apis mellifica – Use this remedy if a bite or sting produces a red, puffy, tender swelling that is hot to the touch and cold applications bring relief.
   3. Cantharis – If the bite or sting results in intensely burning, scalding pain and the area is red and inflamed, use this remedy, especially if blisters develop.
   4. Ledum palustre – Use this remedy with inflamed and swollen bites where the wound feels cold and numb, and the person feels chilly
   5. Urtica Urens – Use this remedy when an insect bite results in reddish blotches that burn and itch intensely.
   6. Taking quercetin and vitamin C together acts as a natural anti-histamine. This will help reduce any redness and swelling in a bug bite.  Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in onions and apples, and it inhibits histamine formation, and vitamin C is a potent anti-oxidant that helps enhance the effect of quercetin.  Take  500mg of quercetin and 1000mg of vitamin C twice a day for 2-4 weeks.

HEALING:

1. Once the acute redness, discomfort and swelling has resolved, apply a calendula cream or vitamin C serum to the area to help healing and avoid any scarring.
2. The following supplement regime will help to repair and revitalize the traumatized skin from the inside out:
   1. Vitamin A (enhances growth and repair of new tissue) – 10,000 IU 3x/day for 2 weeks (do not take if you are pregnant or have liver disease)
   2. Vitamin C (promotes formation of collagen and elastin in the skin) – 1000 mg 2x/ day for 2-4 weeks
   3.  Vitamin E (facilitates tissue repair and reduces scarring) – 400 IU daily for 4 weeks (do not take high doses if you are on blood pressure or blood thinning medication)
   4. Zinc (repair of tissue) – 30 mg daily for 4 weeks
   5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids (needed for cellular repair) – 1000 mg per day