Treating Summertime Insect Bites:

First , I would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!

As we are now fully into the summer season, the bugs are out and a biting! Most bug bites will resolve on their own within a few days , but if they get worse or show signs of infection, they should be more closely evaluated. There are some hometown recipes I have heard over the years to ease the sting of bug bites.

Some are included below:

• Lime Juice: Mix lime juice with some water and rub onto the insect bites as long as the skin is still intact.
• Raw Potato: Mash and mix some raw potato with baking soda and water. Apply to the bite to help reduce the redness and itch.
• Aspirin: As long as you are not allergic to aspirin, you can crush a few aspirin pills and mix with water into a paste. You can then put the paste onto a sting to help with the inflammation.
• Rubbing Alcohol: First make sure the skin is intact and not broken. Coat the itchy area with rubbing alcohol to help soothe it.
  

For anyone who has a bad allergy to bee stings, if you do not have an epi-pen, please use this newsletter as your reminder to renew your prescription.

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If anyone has any other home remedies that have worked please send them back to me via email. I am always interested in safe methods of treatment.

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Steven Horvitz, D.O.

Board Certified Family Medicine

Founder of The Institute for Medical Wellness

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