It’s the season for bugs, that’s for sure. One summer evening spent on the patio can bring on pink bumps that will itch and look awful for days! Keeping this DIY bug bite balm handy can make suffering through mosquito season much more bearable. Not only will it take the itch out of stings and bites, it will also reduce swelling and help the skin heal more quickly.
Once I get bit, I immediately apply this balm to my bite for relief, but the best thing is that within the hour the bump is almost gone and I never deal with the incessant itching again! This is an easy recipe and super convenient when you keep it in a deodorant container or a lip balm tube!
This Bug Bite Balm is a salve that will relieve itching, reduce swelling and accelerate healing of a bug bite or sting. It contains no petroleum, artificial scents, colors or chemicals.
Don’t forget repelling bugs in the first place! Check out my recipe for homemade bug spray as well as citronella beeswax melts!
DIY Bug Bite Balm Ingredients:
Coconut Oil accelerates the healing process while providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is antiseptic and antimicrobial. It is full of antioxidants and is incredibly healing. I add coconut oil into any DIY recipe that calls for healing. In fact, I often keep a coconut oil balm that only contains a tiny bit of beeswax in a roll on container for healing. While I don’t love using coconut oil on the face, there are a ton of other ways I use it!
Olive Oil is awesome for moisturizing and is packed with antioxidants. It makes a great oil cleanser and I’ve even been known to add it into a homemade face cream! Plus, the scent pairs so well with coconut oil (believe it or not!).
Beeswax, while mainly binds and thickens the oils, it also forms a barrier over a wound, protecting it and allowing the beneficial oils to seep deep into the skin.
Essential oils lemon, peppermint, tea tree and lavender all have antibacterial properties and help relieve itching quickly. Not only do these oils offer great comfort physically, they also help disinfect the wound and prevent infections.
Peppermint essential oil is fantastic at taking the itch out of things! If you’re really itching, my calamine lotion might help to pull the venom out and then use this balm to nourish.
DIY Bug Bite Balm
1/4 cup Coconut Oil (find it HERE)
1/4 cup Olive Oil (find it HERE)
2 TBSP. Beeswax (find it HERE)
20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (find it HERE)
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil (find it HERE)
20 drops Lemon Essential Oil (find it HERE)
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (find it HERE)
Directions:
- Fill a pot half way full with water.
- Place a glass pyrex bowl with a spout in the pot.
- Add olive oil, coconut oil and beeswax to the glass bowl.
- Turn stove on to medium heat.
- Allow ingredients to melt completely.
- Remove from heat and add essential oils.
- Pour into container(s).
- Let cool.
This recipe makes about 4 ounces. I like to store mine in deodorant containers-Find HERE, a 2 ounce tin, Find HERE, or lip balm tubes-Find HERE.
This DIY salve is a powerful tool in healing cuts, burns, chapped skin, boils, bug bites and hang nails! Apply directly to the wounded area. You may cover with a band aid in order to further protect the bite. It is even safe to use on babies!
For more serious bites like rodent bites, tick bites and spider bites, check out my post on the power of tea tree essential oil.
xx, Jenni
P.S. If you’d like to use my labels, feel free! I used Avery’s 8293 round labels and I also used their web site to upload these images and print.
