Mosquitoes, ticks, bees, and wasps. Oh my! Sooner or later everyone will experience an insect bite or sting. Sometimes the bite goes unnoticed until a red swelling appears the next day. Other times there is sudden, shocking, intense pain and an urgent desire to flee the area as the sympathetic nervous system kicks in. Sometimes an extreme allergic reaction can occur as a result of a bee sting, with the danger of anaphylactic shock. Whether there is mild discomfort or an intense reaction, redness, pain, and swelling are the result of the immune system working to rid the body of foreign substances.
There are two parts to our immune system – the innate immune system and the acquired immune system. The innate system is what we are born with, inherited from our mother and acquired through breastmilk. As time goes by and the body is exposed to more and more foreign substances, it produces antibodies which recognize those substances and signal the body to defend itself. This is a good thing. But sometimes our immune system overreacts to a substance. Wasp and bee venom can trigger a serious allergic reaction in some people. This extreme reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Within minutes or some time later, the following symptoms indicate anaphylaxis:
- Swelling of the eyelids, throat, tongue, lips, or mouth, trouble swallowing
- Itching, swelling, redness of the skin
- Hives or a rash anywhere on the body
- Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, severe asthma, shortness of breath, trouble breathing
- Tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Faintness, dizziness, weakness, collapse, unconsciousness
- Confusion
- A sense of impending doom
- Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or cramps
- Drop in blood pressure, weak pulse, paleness
When someone’s immune system overreacts in this way with a full-body allergic reaction, it is a medical emergency. An injection of epinephrine may be necessary. People with this type of sensitivity often keep an Epi-pen on hand in case of a serious allergic reaction to insect stings or other substances that produce anaphylaxis in them.
For minor reactions to insect bites and stings, several homeopathic remedies can be helpful and can also be kept on hand. When choosing an appropriate homeopathic remedy, match the symptoms as closely as possible. If there is no improvement after taking 4-6 doses of one remedy, try another. Usually a 30C potency is sufficient, but sometimes a 200C or higher potency is needed.
Remedies for insect bites and stings:
- Apis – is useful for bites and stings when the area is red, hot to touch, shiny, puffy, and swollen. The affected area itches, burns or stings and feels better with the application of a cold compress. This reaction can occur from honeybee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings, or fire ant bites. Some years ago while doing yard work, I was stung on my hand by several wasps. My hand swelled up like a baseball mitt over the course of several days. Keeping an ice pack on my hand was the only thing that gave it some relief. The swelling lasted over a week. This was before I knew about homeopathy. Now I know to take Apis 200C. And for those who are deathly allergic to bee stings, keep homeopathic Apis 200C or a higher potency with you, along with your Epi-pen, and take it frequently on your way to the emergency room, if you are stung. You can read more about Apis here.
- Staphysagria – is used when the skin is punctured by a sharp object. This can be from the cut of a surgical procedure, stepping on a nail or piece of glass, or from the piercing jab of a mosquito. The area is extremely sensitive to touch and the pains are stinging, tearing, or smarting. If taken while hiking or gardening in a mosquito infested area, Staphysagria 6C or 30C may keep mosquitos from biting. I had the opportunity to test this myself while trail walking through a wooded area near a river. The mosquitoes came out in force and were persistent in trying to dine on me. I had Staphysagria in my bag and took a pellet. It was amazing to see the mosquitoes stop landing on me, although they still flew near me. I had to re-dose a few times but came out of the woods with only a few mosquito bites instead of dozens. A spray made from essential oils mixed in witch hazel and applied to the skin can also repel insects and reduce bites. See article below.
- Ledum – is another remedy that can reduce the disease effects of insect bites and stings, especially tick bites. Like Apis, the affected area will puff up and will be relieved by cold applications, but instead of feeling hot to touch, it will feel cold. The bite puncture will be pale or white, while the area around may be mottled, bluish, or red. This type of bite tends to turn septic or show signs of the insect poison spreading as an expanding red ring around the puncture wound or as red streaks radiating from the wound. When taken soon after being bitten, this remedy can prevent more serious symptoms from developing. See articles below.
- Hypericum – is specific for injuries to nerve rich areas. When an insect bite or sting causes severe shooting or tearing nerve pains, this remedy is needed. The area is inflamed and extremely sensitive to touch. Unlike Apis and Ledum, the area will be worse for cold and pressure.
- Arnica – applied topically can help ease the pain and swelling from a wasp sting.
- Urtica urens – for bee stings, this remedy can be applied topically or taken orally.
- Cantharis – 200C is useful for the inflamed swellings that follow gnat bites.
- Rhus tox – is helpful for spider bites that form a fluid filled blister.
- Allium sativum – for stings and bites when there is swelling with itching and burning, or when there are red spots on a swollen surface.
Resource articles:
All Natural Bug Spray Recipes from Wellness Mama
Homeopathy and Lyme Disease by Ronald D. Whitmont, MD
Protocol for Lyme Disease Using Homeopathy by Joette Calabrese
Insect Bites and Stings from PeaceHealth
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.