This was a post on a company blog, remedies to use in addition to their product.
Home Remedies for Insect Bites
So you already know essential oils such as Fixaderm can bring relief from the itching and pain of insect bites and stings, but what about other home remedies? The good news is that there are a wealth of helpful things already in your kitchen that can be used along with Fixaderm to speed the recovery process and keep you comfortable.
Ice is a classic treatment for many ailments. Applying a cube to a fresh bite or sting will constrict blood vessels and decrease the body’s natural histamine reaction. The cold helps control swelling, itching and pain. Keep a cloth between the skin and the ice and apply for 15-20 minutes once an hour for up to 6 hours.
Many foods have medicinal properties and can ease different symptoms of insect bites and stings. Honey is an anti-inflammatory and the stickiness makes scratching less tempting. Skim milk and water mixed in equal parts and dabbed on with a light cloth will soothe. Papaya contains enzymes that neutralize insect venom, use it by applying a slice to the sight of the bite or sting for one hour. Lemon or lime juice is antibacterial itch relief, but don’t use it and spend time outdoors in the sun or you could make the irritation worse by burning the skin.
Toothpaste usually contains menthol to give it that minty fresh taste, and when applied to the skin it creates a cooling sensation that overrides the itch. Fresh basil contains a similar ingredient, camphor, and a few crushed leaves applied to the bites can induce the same cooling effect.
Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, will relieve redness and swelling. It can be applied on individual spots by soaking a cotton ball and taping it on for a few minutes, or if you are covered in bites put 2 or 3 cups in a warm bath and have a soak.
Most bites and stings will heal on their own without needing a visit to the doctor, but there are a few exceptions. If you are bitten by a spider try to remember what it looked like and have a doctor check it right away. Any feeling of difficulty breathing, swelling around the mouth or throat, feeling faint, a rapid pulse and/or hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction, you should seek emergency attention.