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How to protect yourself
During the summer, spending time outdoors is really pleasant, but moments of relaxation can be ruined by the presence of insects and especially by their bites. The mosquitoes, in particular, they represent a real torment for some people, literally stormed in the summer months. Unlike wasps, bees, horseflies, hornets and other insects, which generally do not bite unless disturbed, mosquitoes suck blood for nutritional purposes and to raise offspring, causing a reaction that causes small very itchy wheals.
To protect yourself from mosquito and tiger mosquito bites, the most effective remedy is certainly lemongrass essential oil, easily available in herbal medicine. The essence extracted from the leaves of this small herbaceous plant, in fact, has one strong repellent action against mosquitoes and other insects. Not surprisingly, lemongrass is used in anti-sting lotions for the body and in most incense, coils and repellent candles that are found on the market and which can also be prepared at home.
To make a do-it-yourself lotion against mosquitoes it is enough to add 10-15 drops of lemongrass essential oil to 40 milliliters of vodka, add a tablespoon of vegetable glycerin and 60 milliliters of aloe vera gel. After mixing the ingredients, you transfer the product into a clean and dry bottle and equipped with a spray: the lotion can be stored throughout the summer and is used on the body whenever necessary, even several times a day. If the smell of lemongrass is unwelcome, you can add a few drops of essential oil of geranium, mint or lavender.
Who prefers not to apply products on the skin, or in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding or on children – where it is good not to resort to essential oils – can use lemongrass essential oil by diffusion, pouring about 15 drops of essence into water, into the burner with candle or into the electric diffuser. Spreading the citronella essence is effective in warding off mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors, in the garden, balcony or terrace. Also in this case, you can add other essential oils such as lavender, geranium, lemon, mint, to make the fragrance more pleasant.
Natural remedies for bites
If despite all the protections adopted you are bitten by an insect, there are effective natural remedies for relieve swelling, itching and any pain accompanying the sting.
When mosquitoes bite, to find relief, simply apply a drop of lavender essential oil to the lesion. It is a natural product often also present in post-puncture stick that are found on the market, precisely by virtue of its soothing properties and its ability to reduce itching and swelling in a short time. The essence of lavender is one of the few that can be used pure on the skin, without risk. Normally, in fact, essential oils must be diluted in a vegetable oil or other substance that acts as a carrier. This is because it is about very concentrated molecules, effective at low doses and to be used sparingly to avoid acute or chronic toxicity reactions. Lavender essence is an exception but those with particularly sensitive and reactive skin can still dilute a drop in a tablespoon of aloe vera oil or gel and apply the product obtained on the wheals.
Me too’lavender oil it is very effective in case of insect bites: to prepare it, simply collect a few flowering branches of lavender and place it in a glass jar fitted with an airtight lid. After covering the flowers with sunflower or olive oil, the jar is closed and left macerate for about forty days, taking care to shake the container two or three times a day to facilitate extraction. Against insect bites, the ideal would be to always carry a vial of lavender essence in your bag during the summer or a small container with your own DIY remedy.
All the lavender products they are effective against the stings of any insect and are able to relieve itching, swelling, redness and any pain even in case of stings from bees, wasps, horseflies. In these cases, however, it is also good to resort to the application of ice immediately after the bite and the relief will not be immediate as when a mosquito bites, especially if you are unable to eliminate the sting, when present. The swelling and pain may last for a few days, as well as the itching, usually intermittently.
To speed up the healing of the puncture it is possible to resort to green clay compresses, known to be able to torch tissues. Clay packs are prepared by mixing a tablespoon of ventilated green clay with about two tablespoons of water, until a homogeneous paste is obtained that is not excessively liquid. As an alternative to water, infusions or hydrolates can be used and a drop of Tea tree essential oil and one of lavender essential oil. The compress is then spread with your hands or with a spatula over the entire area of the lesion and left on for about twenty minutes, and then rinsed with warm water. After rinsing, you can spread a veil of aloe vera gel, with a soothing, anti-inflammatory and refreshing action. The application can be repeated many times a day and the compress can also be left on overnight by covering the area with sterile gauze.
If the sting doesn’t improve within three days or so or even tends to get worse, that’s always good consult your doctor, especially if you don’t know the insect responsible for the sting.
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