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11 Genius Home Remedies for Bug Bites

This is the ultimate list of tried-and-true and non-traditional home remedies to soothe all types of insect bites
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For us, summertime is synonymous with barbeques, long nights, beach days, the brightest, punchiest shades of lipstick and breaking out our most adorable summer sundresses. For bugs, summer means one thing: dinnertime.

While all those off-the-shoulder tops and swingy skirts are cute, the last accessory you want to pair with them is a constellation of angry, red bug bites. But like the first beach day you forget to apply sunscreen, sometimes you have to get burned (or in this case, bit) before you learn your lesson.

That's why we've put together a list of the best home remedies for bug bites. These DIY bug bite remedies for every type of bite don't require heading back outside into the bug's lair, either -- you'll find most of these ingredients in your kitchen. Here's what to do once the summer swarm begins.

Image via Getty

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Bug Bite Remedy No. 1: Oatmeal
Oatmeal's skin-calming effects are inarguable and backed by boatloads of research. In one study, patients with inflamed skin who applied colloidal oatmeal saw an average of a 50 percent improvement over time, and some found their formerly irritated skin completely transformed. The soothing ingredient found in products meant to treat inflamed skin conditions like keratosis pilaris and eczema is also calming on skin irritated by bug bites.

If you have all-over bites from mosquitoes or other swarming bugs, an oatmeal bath will pacify your screaming skin. Just toss a couple of cups of dry oatmeal in a warm bath. If you have one particularly itchy area from a spider bite, add water to dry oatmeal to make a paste, put the paste on a warm, wet wash cloth, and transfer the cloth to your bite, paste side down.

Try: Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment, $6.99, or make your own colloidal oatmeal.

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Bug Bite Remedy No. 2: Manuka Honey
Our desert island product has to be honey. Not only is it a beauty cure-all that's good for zapping acne, moisturizing skin and hydrating hair, it's a proven anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial that prevents infection from bites, stimulates healing and makes those raised red bumps slightly less appealing to scratch, too.

To prevent a sticky situation, cover your bites with a Band-Aid after dabbing them with raw honey.

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Bug Bite Remedy No. 3: Vinegar
Vinegar folklore says Hippocrates, father of medicine, was using the stuff medicinally back in 420 BC to manage wounds. This is one of those ancient home remedies for bug bites that actually works. When applied to a bite, the acidity in the vinegar stops the area from itching. Because it also might smart if the skin is broken, dilute it with water (a 1:1 mix) to lesson the possibility of stinging. Use white or apple cider vinegar.

Image via Getty

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Bug Bite Remedy No. 4: Coconut Oil
It's official: There is no problem too big for a drizzle of coconut oil. Besides acting as a stand-in for hair treatments, shaving cream, makeup remover and moisturizer, the oil contains anti-inflammatory agents and is anti-microbial, meaning it will lessen the chance of infection when applied to a bug bite. In a study, researchers found that it speeds up wound healing, too.

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | JUN 21, 2017 | SHARES
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