Over 40 Mosquito Bite Itch Relief Tips : TipNut.com

Read article : Over 40 Mosquito Bite Itch Relief Tips : TipNut.com

It’s mosquito season and I have buffalo sized ones zipping around the backyard as I type this.

Thanks to their first feast on my ankles tonight and an earlier comment from Kim, I was inspired to dig through every tip I had regarding mosquito bites and relief from the itching. Scritch Scratch.

I haven’t tried most of the suggestions below, but I’ll note which ones have worked for me.

Here are more than 40 tips organized in one neat file, each bullet point is a single method:

Household Items:

1. Rub a bar of soap over the itch. I just tried this (Ivory soap) and the relief was near instant. I used a dry bar of soap directly on the skin, but I also have notes that you can spritz with water first and then run bar of soap over area–or use a wet bar of soap.
2. Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the area first then stick on a piece of tape.
3. Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.
4. Ice cube, ice pack or very cold water

Dabbers

The quicker you can apply one of the remedies below, the faster the relief. These are topical suggestions, apply directly to the area.

1. Nail Polish
2. Strong tea mixed with rubbing alcohol
3. Toothpaste (works for me)
4. Mouthwash
5. Vinegar (apply directly or take a hot bath with 2 cups of vinegar in the water)
6. Honey
7. Underarm deodorant (solid or roll-on) – apply directly to skin
8. Rubbing Alcohol
9. Ammonia
10. Bleach
11. Tea: Use a hot tea bag or a cotton ball soaked in hot tea to dab on skin

Paste Applications

Mix these fresh then apply as soon as possible. The consistency should be nice and thick so it won’t run, yet will still stay in place on the affected area. You could also spritz bite with water then apply grains/powders directly (generously) and rub them in.

1. Baking Soda & Water (works for me)
2. Meat Tenderizer & Water
3. Salt & Water (works for me)
4. Epsom Salt & Water (could also do this as a foot soak if it’s the ankle/foot area affected)
5. Tums Tablets: crush and add a few drops of water
6. Aspirin: crush then add a few drops of water
7. Aspirin – crush then apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol

Commercial Product Lotions, Creams & Applications

*Apply directly

1. Calamine Lotion
2. Benadryl Cream
3. Orajel
4. Anbesol
5. Caladryl
6. Vicks VapoRub (works for me)
7. Preparation H (works for me)
8. Lucas Papaw Ointment
9. Tiger Balm
10. Bag Balm
11. Gold Bond Medicated Cream (or the Gold Bond Medicated Powder)
12. Mylanta (heartburn relief product)
13. After Bite

Essential Oils

Apply full strength. Edit: There are concerns about using essential oils on children and pre-teens, especially repeated use.

1. Tea Tree Oil
2. Lavender Oil
3. Witch Hazel (astringent)
4. Cedar Oil

Leaf Applications

*Crush the fresh leaves roughly then apply

1. Basil
2. Plantains (Plantago)

Fruity Applications

*Use fresh fruit & apply directly to skin

1. Lemon Juice
2. Lemon Slice
3. Lime Juice
4. Lime Slice
5. Banana Peel (rub with the inside of the peel)

Whew! Big List! If I’ve missed your favorite remedy, please add them below.

Notes

• If a remedy doesn’t provide fast relief, don’t despair. Give it another try, sometimes it will take 2 or 3 applications before it kicks in.
• The itch is a reaction from the saliva of the mosquito that it injects into you as it feasts on your blood. There are several dozen different species and you may react to some species bites more than others.
• If large swelling occurs (like welts), contact a doctor or pharmacist for suggestions (especially if it’s a child with a strong reaction). It could be an allergy to the bite. It’s important to watch the throat for swelling and get treatment asap.

Update: You’ll find tips on repelling mosquitoes here.

Published: June 14, 2007
Updated: September 8, 2012

Creating Bath & Massage Oils – Design*Sponge

Read article : Creating Bath & Massage Oils – Design*Sponge

In 2006, I decided I was ready to move out to the country, get some chickens, grow a garden and trade in my city garb for flannel shirts and muck boots. Luckily for me, out of nowhere came the man who would be my husband and along with him an 11-acre homestead in a forested cove. While I was sold on my man straight away, the added perk of marrying into a country home certainly sweetened the deal. And when I later learned that our neighbor, one of two living down our 1-mile dirt road, was a licensed massage therapist who practiced out of her home, I was so glad I’d had the good sense to say “I do.”

My neighbor, Lynn Bernatsky, was a modern dancer before becoming a massage therapist 24 years ago. Accordingly, her knowledge of how the body functions, and how to best care for it, is vast. A few weeks ago, in exchange for cat-sitting while she and her husband were out of town, Lynn gave me what I can honestly say was the best massage I’ve ever received. While the physical manipulation was exquisite (she’s a tiny thing but can work her hands like a giant!), a huge component of what made the experience so pleasurable was the custom massage oil blend she made.

For today’s Small Measures, I’m sharing Lynn’s tips for crafting all-natural custom bath and massage oil blends at home. I’ve also got her wonderful recipe for a winter blues-banishing blend. We’re two-thirds of the way through the driest season here in the northern hemisphere, so any added moisture right now absolutely helps. Lynn’s tips and blend should go far toward keeping you, your skin and your attitude happy and healthy! — Ashley English

The full how-to continues after the jump . . .

I was so intrigued after my massage with Lynn that I stopped over the following week to ask her about crafting bath and massage oil blends. I’m so glad I did, as she was full of beneficial information about selecting essential oils and base oils, as well as recommendations for reputable companies supplying both. Here are her tips for selection, safety, mixing and storing:

Selection

– A combination of almond and jojoba oils is beneficial when crafting a massage oil blend. The jojoba extends the shelf life of the almond oil, as it is quite stable. Also, almond oil tends to stay on the surface of the skin, and jojoba’s greater absorbency pulls the oil down into the skin, helping it to be less greasy on the surface.

– Lynn has found that smaller essential oil companies tend to have more stringent quality control standards. In her years of work as a massage therapist and an aromatherapist, she has repeatedly turned to the following companies for the highest quality products to be placed directly on the skin:

Safety

– According to Lynn, citrus essential oils intended for use on the skin should always be organic, as such crops are often heavily sprayed with herbicides and fungicides.

– Furthermore, citrus oils are photo-toxic, meaning you can be burned when wearing them if exposed to direct sunlight. As such, it’s recommended that citrus oils not be used if you intend to visit a tanning bed the same day or plan to be outdoors exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period of time. Bergamot is a type of citrus, so look for a bergapten-free oil when ordering this essential oil for skin use; such oils have been processed to remove the photo-toxic constituent.

– Research essential oils you’re interested in using on your skin to see if they’re considered “skin friendly” first.

– Always use a carrier oil (or milk, for a milk bath) when using essential oils. Several of them will burn your skin severely if applied directly. I speak from personal experience on this particular safety issue, after an unfortunate bath several years ago where I dropped grapefruit essential oil into the bathwater, stepped in and immediately felt a horrid burning sensation. Use a carrier oil and save yourself from a similar woe!

– Cinnamon leaf is safe to use in skin applications but not cinnamon bark. The bark should only be used as an essential oil in aromatherapy or in medicinal aromatherapy.

Mixing & Storing

– As you are developing a blend, consider the scents that you are most drawn to. Florals? Citrus? Resins? Let those scents guide you as you craft your blends. If you’re making a blend for someone else, pose this question to them in advance (or be sneaky, if you want to surprise them, and ask someone who lives with them or knows them quite well what perfume or cologne they typically wear).

– When mixing a blend, place the essential oils in your mixing bottle first and then top it off with the carrier oils.

– A pourable measuring cup or a beaker can also be used to first combine the oils and then transfer them to their storage vessel.

– Store custom oil blends in a dark glass bottle. Plastic isn’t recommended, as the volatile oils present in the essential oils can break down the plastic over time.

– Use oil blends within six months, and keep them out of direct sunlight, stored in a cabinet or pantry.

And now, Lynn’s glorious blend, perfect for sending winter blues on their dreary way! Lavender and geranium are considered a balancing combination, bergamot helps in alleviating depression, lime is considered invigorating and cleansing and ylang ylang helps to balance hormones and aid in muscle tension.

Banish the Blues Blend

The Goods

• 1 ounce jojoba oil (preferably organic)
• 3 ounces sweet almond oil (preferably organic)
• lavender essential oil: 26 drops
• rose geranium essential oil: 12 drops
• ylang ylang essential oil: 12 drops
• lime essential oil (look for “distilled” lime): 8 drops
• bergamot essential oil (bergapten-free): 6 drops

The Deal

1. Place the essential oil drops either directly into a storage vessel or first into a pourable measuring cup or beaker.

2. Add the jojoba and almond oils. Using a funnel, transfer the blend to a dark-colored 4-ounce glass bottle.

3. If using in the bath, run the bath first. Add a bit of the blend and soak for as long as you’re comfortable. Take great caution when stepping out of the bath, and scrub it down afterward to remove all oil residue.

4. If using as a massage oil, take a bath or shower first. Towel off gently, leaving the skin damp. Apply the oil blend directly to the skin.

If you’re looking to explore aromatherapy and essential-oil use more deeply, here are Lynn’s recommendations for delving into the topic:

What about you? Have any favorite blends or sage, seasoned tips for creating custom massage and bath oil blends? I’d love to hear about them. Otherwise, I think I’ll take a hot shower, rub on a bit of Lynn’s blend and find bliss in the depths of winter.

Images and styling by Jen Altman