Bug bites can be very annoying and itchy. Try this homemade anti-itch cream for natural bug bite relief. This cream is made with soothing ingredients that are great for relieving the itch and healing the skin.

I decided to make a homemade anti-itch cream since the bugs are extra bad here this summer because of all the flooding in my area. We had one of the rainest springs in history here in the midwest! Thankfully, our house isn’t affected by the flood, but many nearby roads are underwater. When I am driving down the main highway near my home, it looks like I am driving along a shoreline rather than fields.

In return, we have a whole lotta bugs EVERYWHERE! We even have ants getting into the house, which I don’t think is related, but I have been using essential oils to repel the ants anyway!

But, I have also been using using an all-natural bug spray on exposed skin and my homemade bug plant spray almost daily in the garden just to stay on top of things.

Sometimes I forget to reapply bug repellent after being outside for a long time, or I forget it altogether. When this happens, you can guarantee that we will come in with a few bites. Having bug bites can be very annoying, so I came up with a recipe that can help with the itch and make them go away sooner.

Plus, check out more natural remedies to help relieve the itch!

Table of Contents

PIN IT FOR LATER

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

WHY DO BUG BITES ITCH?

When a bug bites you, the main motive is to get a snack. Gross, I know! They leave behind salvia that the body recognizes as a foreign substance. The skin around the bite usually swells and gets itchy; this is the body’s histamine response.

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to get more bites than other people? Bugs are after our blood, and apparently, they can be a little picky. Certain insects, including mosquitos and ticks, prefer a specific blood type.

Studies have been done to prove this theory. They found that people with type O blood had double the amount of mosquito bites found on them compared to type A’s. Type B was found to be somewhere in between.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP THE ITCH?

We all know that we aren’t suppose to scratch bug bites or any skin rash for that matter. That is way easier said than done! I can tell my kids over and over not to scratch a bug bite, but if it is on me, you better believe I’ll be scratching it.

Don’t worry; I have good news! There are several natural remedies to help with the itch. When you use these remedies and refrain from scratching, it can help the bite to heal faster.

7 NATURAL REMEDIES TO STOP THE ITCH

#1 Homemade Anti-Itch Cream

You can make this cream in a lip balm tube for easy application, or you can store it in a small container. This cream is simple to make and can be applied to the skin right after you noticed you had been bitten.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons beeswax ( you can use pellets or bars)
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
25 drops of essential oil (I’ll share my favorites below)
Lip balm tubes (this recipe will fill about 12 tubes)

INSTRUCTIONS

Place all the ingredients (except the essential oils) in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make one by putting a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.
Melt all the ingredients together, stirring often.
Once all the ingredients are melted together, remove from the heat, add essential oils, and mix well. Work fast as the mixture will harden quickly after being removed from the heat.
With a small funnel, pipette, or old medicine dropper, fill the lip balm containers with the mixture.
Let tubes sit at room temperature for a few hours until cooled and wholly hardened before capping them.

#2 Essential Oils

Several essential oils can be used to help relieve itchy skin. You can pick one or a blend of ones on this list to add to your anti-itch balm. (See recipe above.) If you decide not to make the balm, be sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil before applying it to the bug bite.

Basil
Peppermint
Tea Tree
Chamomile
Bergamont (Be careful using this one during the summertime, as it is photosensitive. Do not use it on skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight.)
Eucalyptus

#3 Apple Cider Vinegar

Applying apple cider vinegar to a bug bite can be soothing and help relieve the itch because it can help balance the pH level. You can dab it on the skin or soak a piece of cloth in it and lay it on the affected area.

#4 Honey

This one can get a little messy but can be very helpful. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties and can help take away the itch when applied to the area of concern. Be sure only to use this once you are back indoors, as it can attract more bugs!

#5 Witch Hazel

Witch hazel can help to dry the area out and reducing itching. We have used witch hazel as a home remedy for poison ivy, and it is really helpful in stopping the itch. Add a few of the anti-itch essential oils to a spray bottle of witch hazel and spray on the area of concern when needed.

#6 Coconut Oil

Does coconut oil ever not make the list? I think I should start bathing the kids in it to cover all the problems. 😉 This superfood can be beneficial for bug bites.

Not only can it help relieve the itch, but it can also help to heal the bite and prevent infection. Coconut oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, making it an excellent natural remedy for skin imperfections.

#7 Ice or Cold Cloth

A simple ice cube or cold cloth can be very helpful in relieving itchy skin. It can also help with any swelling that can be caused by bug bites. On the flip side, hot, sweaty skin can make itching worse. Try wearing loose, light-fitted clothing on areas that have bug bites.

HOW CAN I PREVENT BUG BITES?

Summer is by far my favorite season of the year, and I think most people agree! Am I right? Everything about it is so dreamy! Longer days, warm weather, no school, swimming, fishing, BBQing, the list goes on and on…BUT THE BUGS!

That is the one thing that I hate most and seem to forget all about every single year. The only way to avoid the bugs altogether is by staying inside. Staying inside isn’t an option for us, and I am betting it isn’t your number one choice either.

Before going outside, be sure to apply all-natural bug repellent or use bug repellent lotion bars. Wear clothes that cover more skin, a hat, and socks and shoes.