Skincare for Bug Bites
I got a lot of bug bites last summer when I was doing some work in the woods. I remember at one point sitting down on the ground next to my dogs to take a break. That must have been when they got me. Back at the car, I got a sense of the creepy-crawlies and when I looked at my socks, they were covered in tons of tiny dark dots. Seed ticks! A late summer/early fall problem, they are the larval form of the blood-sucking and disease transmitting creatures, and they were all over my feet and legs. I painstakingly picked them off my skin and socks, when what I should have done was to remove them with masking tape. (Place the adhesive side over the tick and slowly peel off. This will frequently remove the tick.) I also should have eaten some garlic before I went into the woods. Besides being my favorite cure-all, garlic really helps keep the bugs away from me. Seed ticks may leave an irritation on the skin which shows up as red itchy bumps. Resist the urge to scratch your skin, as this will just make it worse and could lead to scarring or infection. As with most bug bites, anti-itch skincare creams can be applied to help relieve the symptoms. From there you just have to wait it out. I ended up applying calamine lotion on my seed tick bites and for awhile my nickname was "The Calamine Queen" because I was covered in it!
Bed Bugshave been making a comeback after recent news reports of major infestations. These critters will tend to only affect areas that are exposed while you are sleeping, such as upper arms, shoulders, face, hands and neck. Once again, don't scratch these affected areas. They can be soothed with antihistamines and over-the-counter anti-itch creams. Important note: If you notice any symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, chills, swollen glands and there's a rash near the area of a tick bite, seek medical attention at once. You might have a tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Return from Bug Bites to Skincare Tips New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
